Champions of Character

Houghton College provides an academically challenging Christ-centered education in the liberal arts and sciences to students from diverse traditions and economic backgrounds and equips them to lead and labor as scholar-servants in a changing world.

By 2008, Houghton College will have measurably elevated its practice of scholarship and service, deepened its commitment to civility and teaching excellence, enhanced its preparation of global Christians, and strengthened public awareness of the value of the Houghton experience.

The philosophy of Houghton College, an educational institution of The Wesleyan Church, builds on the concept of preparing individuals to become Christian scholar-servants who exhibit the scholar’s passionate yet humble commitment to the Christian faith and to their chosen academic discipline, and the servant’s qualities of serving enthusiastically and unselfishly wherever called. The indispensable characteristics of the scholar-servant are the competence to serve and the willingness to serve.

The NAIA has recognized Houghton College as a Champions of Character institution for the fifth consecutive year. “We are pleased to once again be recognized for our work through this highly important program,” said Houghton Athletics Director Skip Lord. “The Champions of Character initiative is a natural fit for Houghton and the mission of our department. We are continually seeking new ways to share the character values on our campus and in the local communities.”

Houghton coaches and student-athletes are working with youth organization, schools and civic groups to educate, promote and incorporate the values within the sporting or daily activities of youth and adults. The college’s popular summer sports camps have become the ideal venue for sharing these values.

Houghton College has deep and solid roots in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, where our teams use their commitment to excellence, both on the field-of-play and in the classroom, as a platform for their strong and unique emphasis on Sports Ministry. Their goal is to make a difference for the Kingdom on campus, in Allegany County, in the Northeast and around the world. Houghton is one of only 24 institutions who have been hand-selected by the NAIA to serve as Champions of Character Program Centers, opening the door for Houghton to be a leader, both in the Northeast and nationally, in character education. Through hands-on, innovative community outreach initiatives, Houghton coaches and student-athletes are working together to change the culture of sport and to change our culture through sport.

Champions of Character

A natural outflow of Houghton’s efforts in sports ministry has been the NAIA Champions of Character Initiative, a program that aims to create an environment in which every NAIA student-athlete, coach, official and spectator is committed to the true spirit of competition through respect, integrity, responsibility, servant leadership and sportsmanship.

In each of the programs first three years, Houghton has been recognized as a Champions of Character Institution, for promoting or implementing activities related to the fire core character values of the initiative.