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Parent Newsletter

President Ryken headshot 950 x 1425
December 2025

From the President

Dear Parents,

Last Friday night the College Union hosted our annual Christmas tree lighting, complete with gospel carols, ornament hanging, and warm, covenant-approved libations.

This fun, simple celebration felt a little different this year, due to the unfortunate removal of the fine evergreen that formerly served as our campus Christmas tree—a necessary but painful casualty of our steam plant overhaul last summer. Happily, student leaders identified a suitable replacement at the northeast corner of the Quad. So, we still have a beautifully illuminated tree this December, providing light and inspiration to our campus community.

Likely, your Christmas will be a little different this year as well. At the very least, your Wheaton student has experienced another semester of Christ-centered education and has new insights and perhaps new aspirations.

One thing that never changes is the light of the world, Jesus Christ, who shines with hope at Christmastime and always. Together we walk in this light and pray that the wider Wheaton College community will shine with its glory.

In Christ’s service,

Philip Ryken
Philip Ryken
President 

Christmas Festival 2025 825 x 300Watch the 2025 Wheaton College Christmas Festival

Close to 6,000 people attended the Christmas Festival performances earlier this month where more than 300 student performers, faculty, and staff presented All Ye Faithful. Hundreds more watched via livestream on December 5 and 6. Now you have the chance to enjoy the performance when the video posts to YouTube on December 19. Be sure to visit our YouTube page and look for the performance. May it fill your home with joy and inspire worship as you and your loved ones celebrate the coming of our Savior.

Thunder Football Plays in NCAA Division III Quarterfinals on Dec. 13

Cheer on the Thunder football team as it faces UW-River Falls on Saturday, December 13 at Ramer Field in River Falls, Wisconsin. Doors open at 1:00 p.m. CST and kick-off is at 2:00 p.m. CST. Purchase tickets here, watch live here, and follow the live stats here.

Let’s go Thunder!

Center for Vocation and Career

As the calendar year draws to a close, we are grateful that so many students chose to interact with the CVC this semester! Our data shows that between coaching appointments, drop-ins, events, classroom presentations, and more, we connected with at least 62% of the undergraduate student population this semester alone, engaging with the average student 1.5 times.

Many juniors and seniors wait to connect until second semester. Encourage them to get a head start! Coaches will be available for in-person or virtual appointments after the new year, even before students return to campus. If your student is a December graduate, remind them that they can make an appointment, too – alumni have full access to our services for up to two years after graduation.

Encourage your student to make an appointment here!

 

Wheaton is Coming to the Los Angeles Area

If you live in the Los Angeles area, you are invited to attend a special alumni and parent event on Saturday, January 17, 2026, from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Enjoy a yummy continental brunch and an engaging session with Wheaton Professor and historian of the Bible, Rev. Dr. Jennifer Powel McNutt as she presents, "The English Bible Boom Then and Now: Marking the 500th Anniversary of William Tyndale.” Learn more and register.

 

Wheaton is Moving Faithfully Forward

The Faithfully Forward campaign has already raised $237 million toward its goal of $275 million, supporting initiatives like scholarships and library renovations.

One of the key initiatives of the Faithfully Forward campaign will renovate the varsity athletics facilities. This upgrade will build on our history of competitive excellence, bolster recruitment of top-tier student athletes and reflect our legacy of doing all things for the glory of God. The renovation will include a brand-new varsity weight room, sport-specific locker rooms, and expanded athletic training facilities.

$15.7 million of the $23 million goal needed to renovate our athletic facilities has been raised. Construction for the athletics facilities will begin in summer 2026. Check out more photos and learn more here.

Campus Housing

We look forward to welcoming students back after Christmas break. Housing opens for returning students at 3 p.m. on Saturday, January 10, 2026. Classes begin on Monday, January 12. Meal plans begin with dinner on Saturday, January 10, 2026. Orientation for new and transfer students begins on Friday, January 9, 2026. Check out the details here.

New semesters provide opportunities for new beginnings. Encourage your student to take advantage of the new semester and make choices that allow them to create healthy patterns and routines as they begin their academics, continue their relationships, connect with their roommates about any fall semester glitches, and care for their physical and emotional wellbeing. Lamentations 3:23-33 says, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

What Happens to Mail and Packages Over Christmas Break?

  • The Campus Post Office (CPO) has a small crew who will accept and process packages during the break.
  • CPO will safely hold all packages and mail until everyone returns for the spring semester.
  • If a student is on or near campus, CPO will have window hours for pick up Monday through Friday 11a.m. – 1 p.m. (NOTE: no window hours December 25 – January 1.)
  • Have questions? Send us an email at cpo@wheaton.edu.

Campus Store -- Spring 2026 Textbooks

Spring 2026 textbooks can be ordered from the Wheaton College Campus Store here. Students can stop by the store to purchase their textbooks or pick up their books in the store when their order is ready.

The Campus Store buys back certain books in-store at any time and pays directly to a student’s debit card or issues a bookstore gift card. Students can also check to see if they can sell their textbooks online at Valorebooks.com. Books can be shipped for free and students will receive payment by check or through PayPal. 

The Campus Store also carries school supplies, Wheaton College merchandise, and more. Stop in or check out what the campus store offers online. Find store information here or contact us at wheaton@bkstr.com or at 630.752.5119.

Man using calculator 825. x 300Spring 2026 Billing

Students and authorized users will receive an automated email by December 13, when Spring semester bills are published online. The Spring due date is January 12, 2026, which is the first day of classes. Paying online in the Billing & Payment Gateway by electronic check is the fastest way to submit payment. When using 529/College Savings plans, make sure to contact the plan administrator as soon as possible after reviewing the bill to allow for sufficient mail time during the busy holiday season. Checks must be received by our office by the due date to avoid late fees.

Spring semester payment plan enrollment will be available online in the Billing & Payment Gateway when Spring bills are published. Fall plan participants will not be automatically re-enrolled, so please remember to enroll in a Spring plan by the due date to avoid late fees.

Wheaton College will be closed from December 24 through January 1, but the Billing & Payment Gateway will still be accessible for online transactions during that time.

The 2026-2027 FAFSA® Application for Federal Student Aid is now available! Winter break is a great time to work with your student to file their FAFSA for next year and have them submit any additional outstanding requirements on their Financial Aid Dashboard if they have not already done so. We recommend that students and their parent contributors review the Pro Tips for the FAFSA® Form, and remember that students should complete their section of the form first to prevent errors. Filing the FAFSA and completing any resulting requirements early will help ensure that there are no delays when we begin the awarding process for continuing students after the completion of the spring semester.

Don’t have access to view your student’s account? Students need to grant parent access to information related to their student accounts in their Billing & Payment Gateway profile under Authorized Users. Parents will receive two automated emails with login information which will allow access to view account activity, submit on-line payments, and enroll in semester payment plans. It is recommended that parents and students log in to the Billing & Payment Gateway at least once each month when the billing email notices are sent to review their accounts for new charges and/or credits. Authorized Users log in here. 

Please review our Billing and Payment webpage for more information and direct questions to Student Financial Services at sfs@wheaton.edu or call 630-752-5700.

Ministry and Evangelism -- Urbana 2025

Join us in prayer for the 180+ students from Wheaton College who will be attending the Urbana Conference over Christmas break! Pray that students would have a deeper understanding of their unique calling within the Great Commission as they hear from global Christian leaders and worship together.

If you feel led to give towards this powerful initiative, you can donate here. We are eager to see the ways our campus will be impacted following the conference this year.

Season of Giving

Welcome to the Season of Giving! This month, Wheaton College is joining the spirit of giving and receiving by offering a limited-edition Wheaton College tote bag with your gift to the Wheaton Fund before December 31. This tote is designed to remind you of all the little things you or your student love about Wheaton and it’s ready to carry all you need throughout the year ahead. Make a small gift to the Wheaton Fund today and opt in to receive your tote bag!

How to Pray for Wheaton in December

  • For students to remain healthy as they wrap up a busy fall semester;
  • For students to have great focus and stamina as they prepare for finals next week;
  • For God’s peace to reign in the heart of every anxious person in the campus community;
  • For God’s strength as faculty finish up classes and complete grading.
Blanchard Hall Wreath

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