Bridgewater College

Bridgewater College’s mission is to educate “the whole person.” What does that mean? It means we care about every aspect of you as a person – mind, body and spirit. At BC, we don’t just focus on academics. Everything we do is intended to further your wellbeing and growth as a person.

Learning becomes a life-long pursuit that goes beyond classrooms and books. Serving in your community and making ethical decisions means your growth doesn’t just benefit you. It also benefits everyone else and makes our communities better places to live. Being healthy and living with purpose prepares you to keep pursuing your dreams, no matter what happens. Our mission is all about you.

Bridgewater College educates the whole person by providing a challenging and supportive learning community that fosters the growth of its students and empowers and motivates them to live educated, intelligent, healthy, purposeful and ethical lives in a global society. The College embraces the core values of integrity, equality, service and community, which have been inspired by its history with the Church of the Brethren. The College is a welcoming, diverse and vibrant community, committed to understanding and respecting individual differences and actively engaging all of its members.

College is a time for you to raise the bar for yourself. At Bridgewater College, you’ll join more than 1,900 students in a transformative education we call the “Bridgewater Experience.”Every time the victory bell rings at Memorial Hall—whether it signals the first day of classes, an athletic win or graduation day—you’ll share in the celebration. You’re part of Bridgewater’s close-knit community.Here, you’ll have professors who really want to get to know you. You’ll meet staff who are dedicated to making you feel comfortable and welcome. And you’ll make new friends who are eager to learn with you. Grow with you.

The beauty of the Shenandoah Valley is stunning. You’ll find lots to do here. Take a hike in a nearby national forest.Canoe on the Shenandoah River. Ski at Massanutten Resort. Revisit early American history at the Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton or one of the many Civil War battlefields in the Valley. Visit an art gallery. Take in a concert or theatrical production.

Living on campus is an important part of your academic experience at Bridgewater. You’ll become a more responsible person and develop the skills to get along with others. With our wide selection of living options—from residence halls to apartments, coed, single-gender or honors housing—you’ll find a place that suits your personality.Eating well is an important part of maintaining a healthy body and sharp mind. Even though you’ll be busy with studies and extra-curricular activities, there’s no reason to skip a meal. Bridgewater’s dining services provides a wide selection of tasty, fresh and nutritious foods, offered in two convenient locations. You can take time for a relaxing dinner with friends or go grab a snack between classes.

You’ll work hard in class. But it’s also important to open your mind to new experiences. Get involved in a club that matches your interests. Run for a Student Senate office. Lead a campus tour for prospective students. Start a new organization. Read books to children at a local elementary school.

As you participate in student clubs and organizations, you’ll apply lessons you’ve learned in the classroom to the real world. You’ll develop new skills. Become a strong leader. Prepare for life beyond college.At Bridgewater College, you’ll be prepared for more than a career. You’ll be ready for a lifetime of learning. The journey starts here. With rigorous academic programs. Small class sizes. Opportunities for undergraduate research and study abroad. And so much more.Our faculty scholars are not only experts in their fields, but they also care about teaching – and about getting to know your interests and abilities. Through their mentoring, you’ll learn what it takes to gain the expertise necessary for success.

More than 60 majors and minors. Concentrations such as Digital Media and Pre-Law. Pre-professional programs and dual degrees through BC and other institutions. It all adds up to a host of ways to customize your degree at BC.

When you become a part of the BC community, you become part of a history that goes all the way back to 1880. That’s when a 26 year-old decided to start the Spring Creek Normal School and Collegiate Institute. Daniel Christian (D.C.) Flory opened the school on September 6, 1880, with six students, including one woman. Bridgewater has always admitted women and was the first private liberal arts college in Virginia to do so.

In 1882, the College moved to Bridgewater, Virginia. It gave diplomas to its first graduates on June 18, 1886, and officially became Bridgewater College in July 1889, when it was chartered by the Commonwealth of Virginia to grant undergraduate degrees.

The College is historically affiliated with the Church of the Brethren. In keeping with its heritage, the College promotes the values of peace, justice, equality, service and human dignity in an inclusive and caring community. Bridgewater is committed to cultivating the full potential of its students to excel in all areas of life.