Christian College Expo Set

for March 10th in Kansas City

By Jim Day

Turnout at the nation’s first combined education exposition continues to show the growing interest in private education and the need for an event to help answer the questions that parents and students often have. The 9th Annual Midwest Christian College Expo will be held Saturday, March 10 at Evangel Temple Assembly of God in suburban Kansas City. The church is located at 1414 East 103rd Street. Expo times are 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The free Expo typically draws several thousand people who are looking at options for various levels of education plus junior and senior students who, along with their parents, want to visit with representatives from colleges and seminaries. In addition, popular 45-minute seminars are held. One such seminar helps high school students and parents navigate the confusing process of finding and applying for college financial aid.

“This is a great opportunity for parents to visit with quality schools and meet the teachers and administrators of those schools,” said Anita Widaman, Expo coordinator, “It’s really a one-stop shopping experience.”

Widaman, who had a successful 16-year career in public education, said she and her husband, Dwight, founded the Expo out of a personal need. “Just before our children were old enough to begin school, we realized there was not a single source for parents to go to for answers to their questions,” she said. “Here I was, an experienced middle-school guidance counselor, and I didn’t know what the best option was for my own children!” Widaman said that if she had questions, then she knew there must be thousands of other parents with similar questions.

The Expo was a response to that need. Beginning in 1999, the Expo has brought parents and schools together under one roof. “The atmosphere during the day is wonderful,” says Widaman, “It’s about a lot more than just education, it’s about community—lots of people with similar goals—they all want a Christian college education for their children.”

Widaman doesn’t knock public universities but says they may not be the best option for every family. “Parents need to know that there are many choices for them—some families are very creative in finding the right fit for their kids, it’s all about choices.” Widaman says many of the best schools in the country are Christian universities which teach from a biblical worldview. Since its inception, the Expo has continued to grow and expand.

A wide variety of private Christian colleges will be present on March 10th with display booths, multi-media presentations, literature and admissions counselors who will be on hand to answer questions about their colleges -- including those related to financial aid. Colleges enjoy the March Expo because it allows them to visit with not only seniors, but juniors who are planning ahead.

“It’s an especially worthwhile drive for students looking for a wide variety of college options,” stated Dwight Widaman, Expo co-coordinator. “With the price of gas nowadays, why drive three or six hours to visit one college when you can visit 40 or more colleges in the same day?”

Colleges, universities and seminaries from across the Midwest participate including schools from Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Illinois. Schools such as Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia also attend. Schools have even come from Florida. This year many denominations will be represented as well as independent schools.

The 2007 Christian College Expo is produced by the Widamans who publish the Metro Voice Newspaper, Kansas City’s only Christian newspaper. Corporate sponsors include various area broadcast media including the Bott Radio Network.

For more information, visit www.metrovoicenews.com or call (816) 524-4522.