June 2026

June 2026

From the President

Dear Parents,

This year Wheaton College celebrates an impressive list of notable anniversaries:

• 10 years of Christ at the Core, our signature general education curriculum
• 50 years of Human Needs and Global Resources, or HNGR, the six-month internship program that situates Wheaton students in majority world communities
• 50 years of Billy Graham Scholars, more than a thousand international students, who completed a graduate degree at Wheaton before returning to leadership roles in more than 100 home countries around the world
• 75 years of HoneyRock, our Northwoods Campus and leadership laboratory, through Christian camping
• 100 years of the Symphony Orchestra, now under the direction of Maestro Ben Klemme

There is so much to celebrate!

Right after Commencement, my wife Lisa joined the orchestra for a ten-day tour of Ireland and England, with six performances in notable venues, including concert halls, churches, and shopping malls. When she returned, she made an observation that we often make about our beloved Wheaties: “Our students really are wonderful.”

We trust you agree. As parents, you know first-hand how gifted our students are, how committed they are to Christ, and what remarkable potential they have for advancing the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Over these summer months, we pray that our students, faculty, and staff will experience more of creation, connect again with friends and family members, and gather needed strength for next school year. We have the same hope and prayer for you, our faithful, encouraging, beloved Wheaton parents.

In Christ’s service,

Philip Ryken
President

Returning parents, we want to be sure our information reaches you, so if any of your contact information has changed, please complete the update your contact information form. Thank you!

Wheaton students often ponder how they can use their studies at Wheaton College and the gifts God has given them to go out and impact the world after college. Many students find their academic departments to be helpful thought partners as they explore what meaningful, future-focused, and Christ-centered work could be. Students in the Department of Education often find fulfilling work as high school or middle school teachers.

A paired double major with multiple departments across campus, in partnership with the Illinois State Board of Education, offers our students the opportunity to gain licensure in six different majors in Secondary Education. Wheaton’s licensure officer also helps students determine reciprocity requirements for transferring an Illinois license to another state.

Teacher candidates leave Wheaton ready to teach in a diversity of school environments throughout the world. During their time at Wheaton College, teacher candidates engage in four practicum experiences, including student teaching partnerships with public, Christian, or international schools. Wheaton graduates are in high demand with school administrators who value their unique dedication and expertise. Additionally, this past year, 100% of our graduates who desired to teach reported finding a job in education.

Students who are curious about teaching should begin by taking Wheaton’s block of introductory courses, which can be taken either Fall or Spring semester of their freshman year:

• EDUC 135: School and Society (A Quad, 2 credits)
• EDUC 136: Teaching Diverse Learners (B Quad, 2 credits)
• EDUC 136L: A cross-cultural tutoring experience with one of the many local ministry organizations or schools in the Wheaton area.

For students interested in doing a double major in Secondary Education, it can be helpful to get started early, though taking these introductory courses does not require students to declare a double major in education.

For incoming students – those who already know they want to teach or those curious about turning their studies into an impactful career – please reach out to Dr. Brita Beitler, Secondary Education Coordinator.