Colleges related to the Church of the Brethren play an important role in the life of the church. Similarly, the denomination—its heritage, values, and beliefs—plays an important part in the lives of the colleges. While there are different histories for the various colleges, in general terms all were started by members of the Church of the Brethren who saw the value of a special place for young people in the denomination to receive their education. In almost all cases, the establishment of the college was controversial. Until the late 1800s, the Church had expressed its hostility toward higher education, even at church-related colleges.

While none of the six Brethren colleges is owned by the denomination, the denomination, nonetheless, has a heavy influence on all the campuses. There are several ways in which that special relationship is expressed:

• While the numbers vary, the colleges educate Church of the Brethren students. For some, the percentage of Brethren students will rise as high as almost 20 percent. All make special efforts to recruit Church of the Brethren students.
  
  
• There is a demonstrable Brethren influence on the campuses. In addition to the presence of Brethren students, some faculty and administration are Brethren; all the colleges have a substantial number of Brethren trustees; each has a Brethren student organization; the connection with the Church of the Brethren is indicated in college literature and in the story the colleges communicate to the public.
  
  
• The schools host Brethren on campus, both youth and adults, for special activities. They host youth roundtables, Bible conferences, district conferences, and other special events to accommodate and support Brethren programs.
  
  
• Many alumni and donors are members of the Church of the Brethren. They play a vital role in the success and progress of the colleges.
  
  
• The colleges provide a significant number of leaders at the local, district, and national level. A review of the credentials of many of the outstanding church leaders for the past 100 years reflect a strong pattern of attendance at the Brethren colleges.

While the relationship between the colleges and the Church has changed over time because of legal, cultural, and denominational issues, the relationship continues to be collegial and respectful. The presidents of the Brethren colleges, including those presidents who arrived at their positions without prior affiliation with the Church of the Brethren, have not only shown a respectful attitude toward the Church and the college's church heritage but have worked very hard to form a collaborative peer group to discuss how we might work together as Brethren college presidents and better define what it means to be a Brethren college.

The Church of the Brethren heritage and values continue to be lived out in the strong focus on the campuses to produce students who will live fulfilled and ethical lives, serve humanity, seek to make the world a better place in which to live, and seek to comprehend their relationship with our Creator.

The church colleges are excellent liberal arts colleges preparing their students for life and for service. Because of their heritage and affiliation with the Church of the Brethren, they continue to be special places for Brethren young people, and they hope to continue to attract the denomination's outstanding youth.

–Philip C. Stone, president, Bridgewater (Va.) College