irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $7.19MAUXILARY ENTERPRISES: HOUGHTON UNIVERSITY'S AUXILIARY ENTERPRISES ARE PRIMARILY COMPOSED OF STUDENT HOUSING, DINING SERVICES AND THE HIGHLANDERS SHOP CAMPUS STORE. AS A RURAL, RESIDENTIAL CAMPUS, THESE COMPONENTS BECOME A VITAL PART OF A STUDENT'S EXPERIENCE, PROVIDING OPPORTUNITY FOR SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL GROWTH AND FEEDING INTO THE VITALLY IMPORTANT TASK OF DEVELOPING CHRISTIAN YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN. AS STUDENTS LIVE AND LEARN TOGETHER, THE GROWTH WHICH TAKES PLACE IN STUDENT HOUSING AND THE DINING HALL IS OFTEN A SIGNIFICANT FACTOR IN THE WORLD-CHANGING, KINGDOM IMPACT OUR ALUMNI WILL HAVE AFTER GRADUATION.
- #2 $9.23MSTUDENT SERVICES: AT HOUGHTON UNIVERSITY, EDUCATION IS NOT CONFINED TO THE CLASSROOM. STUDENT LIFE, INCLUDING APPROXIMATELY 35 UNIQUE STUDENT CLUBS, A WEEKLY RHYTHM OF SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT, AND STUDENT LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, PROVIDES BOTH SOCIAL AND PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR HOUGHTON STUDENTS. AS AN NCAA DIII SCHOOL, HIGHLANDER ATHLETICS SPONSORS 15 SPORTS TEAMS AND SERVES APPROXIMATELY ONE-THIRD OF THE STUDENT BODY, OFFERING LIFE-LONG WELLNESS SKILLS AND INTENSIVE CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT. OTHER STUDENT SERVICES INCLUDE WRAP-AROUND CARE SUPPORTING STUDENT'S MENTAL AND PHYSICAL WELLBEING, ACADEMIC SUPPORTS, AND INTERNSHIP AND CAREER SERVICES.
named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Auxiliary Enterprises
Provides student housing, dining services, and campus store operations that support student life and development on a residential campus
Highlander Athletics
NCAA Division III athletic program with 15 sports teams serving approximately one-third of the student body, emphasizing Christian leadership and lifelong wellness
Student Services
Comprehensive support including academic success, counseling, wellness, career services, and spiritual formation for holistic student development
Summer Camps
Hosts athletic summer camps in basketball, soccer, volleyball, and equestrian sports for youth and high school students
Summer Research Internships
Faculty-led summer research opportunities in natural sciences, including physics, nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence through the Shannon Summer Research Institute
activities · 10 groups
What they do
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LGBTQ+ and Community-Based Educational Scholarships 1 activity
- Award endowed scholarships and programmatic grantsFunds over 20 endowed class scholarships totaling more than $2.7 million since 2011, and awards grants through programmatic endowments such as the Peter and Karin Lee Science Equipment Fund, Music Ministry Travel Fund, and Staff Development Fund.
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Higher Education Degree Programs 1 activity
- Deliver Christ-centered liberal arts and sciences educationProvides undergraduate and graduate education in the liberal arts and sciences to students from diverse traditions and economic backgrounds, grounded in a Christian faith perspective. Enrolls 945 undergraduate and 42 graduate students as of Fall 2025.
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Classical Christian K–12 Education 1 activity
- Deliver academic programs in Biology and Global StudiesOffers academic programs in Biology and Global Studies designed to develop well-rounded, globally aware students grounded in Christian faith and values.
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University-Specific Endowment and Program Funding 1 activity
- Establish endowed academic and administrative leadership positionsFunds endowed leadership roles including the Ellen F. Donley Dean of Education & Behavioral Sciences and supports athletics through endowed funds such as the Kristopher W. Clester Intramural and Club Sports Fund.
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Regular Religious Worship Services 1 activity
- Host multi-denominational Christian faith communityHosts a faith community representing 32 Christian denominations, offering weekly spiritual development activities and fostering a diverse Christian environment.
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Interscholastic and Inclusive School Sports Programs 1 activity
- Operate NCAA Division III and intramural athletic programsOperates 15 NCAA Division III sports teams serving approximately one-third of the student body, hosts scrimmages and all-athlete meetings, and supports intramural and club sports. Also established endowment funds for all intercollegiate sports teams and intramural programs.
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Student Housing and Residential Services 1 activity
- Operate auxiliary student servicesManages auxiliary enterprises including student housing, dining services, and a campus store to support student social and emotional development.
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Equine Education and Riding Instruction 1 activity
- Operate undergraduate equestrian studies and Summer Equestrian CampOffers academic programs in equine studies and operates a Summer Equestrian Camp, providing students with hands-on experience in horsemanship, riding instruction, and equestrian program management. Programs have consistently reached full enrollment.
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Student Club and Organization Support 1 activity
- Provide student life and leadership development programmingOffers student life programming including approximately 35 student clubs, leadership development opportunities, weekly spiritual development activities, and outdoor recreation events such as morning hikes and outdoor movies on the Quad.
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Student Support and Academic Services 1 activity
- Provide wrap-around student support servicesOffers comprehensive student support including mental and physical wellbeing care, academic support, internship placement, career services, and post-graduation career advising for alumni.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$51.46M
Contributions & grants$21.41M42%
Program service revenue$23.62M46%
Investment income$5.77M11%
Other revenue$668K
expenses
Total expenses$37.33M
Program expenses85%
Admin / overhead12%
Fundraising3%
Salaries & benefits$15.61M
Grants paid out$4.21M
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$148.74M
Cash$2.18M
Investments$91.95M
Liabilities$29.62M
Net assets$119.12M
Liquid reserves30.3 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +60.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 7
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR WAYNE D LEWIS JR | PRESIDENT | 39 | $295K |
| DAVID DAVIES | PROVOST AND DEAN OF FACULTY | 40 | $155K |
| DALE WRIGHT | VP OF FINANCE | 38 | $147K |
| JASON TOWERS | VP FOR ENROLLMENT | 40 | $147K |
| KARL SISSON | VP FOR ADVANCEMENT AND EXTERNAL ENGAGEMENT | 39 | $130K |
| ANN MONROE-BAILLARGEON | DEAN OF EDUCATION AND PSYCHOLOGY | 40 | $130K |
| WILLIAM BURRICHTER | VP FOR STUDENT LIFE | 40 | $118K |
board members · 18
- AIMEE WUETHRICH — TRUSTEE
- DANIEL BATES — TRUSTEE
- DEBRA CANFIELD — TRUSTEE
- DR C DAVID MARKLE — TRUSTEE
- DR COREENA WEAVER — TRUSTEE
- DR DORIS GRIFFIN — TRUSTEE
- DR JOANNE BARNES — TRUSTEE
- DR JUN ZHUANG — TRUSTEE
- DR RALPH KERR — TRUSTEE
- EMILY LAST — TRUSTEE
- GARY BAHLER — TRUSTEE
- GARY LARDER — TRUSTEE
- HARRIETT OLSON — TRUSTEE
- JAMES ECKERT — TRUSTEE
- JOHN LEE — TRUSTEE
- JOY TOLLIVER — ASSISTANT SECRETARY
- KAREN FOHL — SECRETARY
- KEVIN C KNOWLTON — TRUSTEE
relationships · 13
Who they work with
- Board of Trustees’ Investment Committee Partner — Responsible for investment stewardship contributing to endowment growth.
- Campus Activities Board Partner — Student organization responsible for planning and executing campus events such as the CAB Carnival.
- Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch Partner — Ministry in Bend, Oregon that inspired student interest in therapeutic riding through outreach media
- Empire 8 Network — Athletic conference in which Houghton University participates
- Empire 8 Network — Member of the Empire 8 athletic conference for intercollegiate competition.
- High Hurdles Partner — Therapeutic riding center where Houghton graduate interned and gained practical experience; affiliated with sasi
- Pitt Bradford Partner — Competed against in a women's sports scrimmage event.
- Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship Network — Organization through which students pursue PATH certification in therapeutic riding
- Roberts Wesleyan Partner — Competing institution in a scheduled athletic scrimmage
- University of Tennessee Partner — Houghton University alumnus serves as head coach of the University of Tennessee’s intercollegiate dressage team, indicating a professional connection between the institutions.
- Wesleyan Church Government — Historically founded under and maintains a connection with the Wesleyan Church.
- generous donors Funder — Supports expansion of the Equestrian Center and equine studies program through financial contributions.
- sasi Partner — Western New York nonprofit that supports people with developmental disabilities through programs including therapeutic riding
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Christ-Centered Scholar-Servant Educationmethodology: Christ-centered scholar-servant educationBy integrating a rigorous liberal arts curriculum with faith exploration and service formation, the university prepares students for purposeful careers and lifelong leadership, because anchoring education in an orthodox Christian worldview shapes character and vocation.
- Experiential Learning in Specialized Programsmethodology: experiential_learningBy placing students in direct service roles such as chore crews and teaching within the equestrian program, the university builds professional confidence and skill, because hands-on engagement combined with mentorship deepens learning and career readiness.
- Residential Community as Formative Practicemethodology: residential_community_as_formationBy embedding spiritual development and leadership training within residential life and communal routines like shared dining, the university fosters holistic student formation, because daily communal living deepens personal growth and service orientation beyond classroom instruction.