Indiana Wesleyan University
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| Indiana Wesleyan University | |
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| Established: | 1920 |
| Type: | Private |
| Endowment: | $40.6 million (2006) [1] |
| President: | Dr. Henry Smith |
| Faculty: | 200 |
| Students: | 14,756[2] |
| Undergraduates: | 3,050[3] |
| Postgraduates: | 748[4] |
| Location: | Marion, IN, USA |
| Campus: | Suburban: 300 acres |
| Athletics: | 16 NAIA Division II teams, called Wildcats |
| Colors: | Red and White |
| Affiliations: | Wesleyan Church |
| Website: | www.indwes.edu |
Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) is a private evangelical Christian liberal arts college located in Marion, Indiana that is affiliated with the Wesleyan Church denomination. IWU is the largest member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities and the second-largest evangelical university in the United States in total students, second only to Liberty University.[5] The University offers various liberal arts (including 78 undergraduate majors) and professional educational programs leading to the Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts, Master of Science, Master of Education and Master of Business Administration degrees, along with a doctoral program in Organizational Leadership. In addition, the University plans to offer a Master of Divinity degree as part of an accredited seminary in the near future.
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[edit] History
The University mission states: "Indiana Wesleyan University is a Christ-centered academic community committed to changing the world by developing students in character, scholarship, and leadership." IWU's original campus, well recognized in Indiana for teacher education and a college of business, was known first as Marion Normal College (1890-1912) and then reopened as Marion Normal Institute (1912-1918).
In 1918 the Marion Normal Institute relocated to Muncie, Indiana, joining the Indiana Normal Institute to form what would eventually become known as Ball State University. Because the Indiana Conference of The Wesleyan Methodist Church operated the Fairmount Bible School 10 miles south of Marion, a group of local citizens asked them to move to the vacant property and open a normal school in Marion. So in 1918 – 1919 the church raised $100,000 to endow the school, moved the Fairmont Bible School to Marion, and added a new teacher education program to become Marion College. The actual year of incorporation was 1919; however, the first classes were not offered until the fall of 1920, which became the official year of inception.
From 1920 to 1988, Marion College operated as a developing liberal arts institution with growing programs, offering the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Science degrees since the first graduating class of 1921. A Master of Arts in Theology was begun in 1924 and offered continuously until 1950. Master’s degree programs were initiated again in 1979 in Ministerial Education and Community Health Nursing. Master’s degree programs were begun in Business in 1988, in Primary Care Nursing in 1994, and in Counseling in 1995.
A new administration was initiated by the Board of Trustees with the presidency of Dr. James Barnes in 1987. The name of the institution was changed to Indiana Wesleyan University, reflecting the influence of the institution across the state - well beyond the boundaries of the city of Marion, its connection with The Wesleyan Church and Christian higher education, and the development of increasing numbers of graduate programs.
Having already established a solid liberal arts college, in 1983, University leadership decided to begin offering courses and degrees to working adults during evening hours and Saturdays, forming what would eventually become the innovative College of Adult and Professional Studies (CAPS). This decision proved to be very successful and massively affected IWU’s future, wiping out the school's sizable debt and funding the expansion and revitalization of the Marion campus, eventually transforming the college into a major evangelical Christian university. The CAPS program provides the majority of the funding used in campus renovation and construction projects, keeping student tuition at a relatively low level compared with other similar colleges.
Enrollment in the CAPS program has grown tremendously since 1985 when the first courses were offered. IWU has grown by more than 200 percent since 1990 to educate nearly 15,000 students, 11,500 of whom are taking courses online or at IWU's CAPS educational centers in Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky. Site-based classes are held at 11 education and conference centers: Indianapolis (2), Fort Wayne, IN, Shelbyville, IN, Kokomo, IN, and Columbus, IN; Louisville and Lexington, Kentucky; and Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Dayton, Ohio. Classes are also held at more than 80 off-campus locations in Indiana. Many private universities across the country are attempting to copy IWU's successful program. IWU's CAPS program is the second largest adult education program in the United States, after the University of Phoenix.
In 2000, the University organized its academic structure into three colleges; the College of Arts and Sciences (traditional four-year liberal arts education), the College of Graduate Studies (traditional semester-based graduate degrees), and the College of Adult and Professional Studies (non-traditional, accelerated programs for working adults).
IWU is currently the fastest-growing university and the largest private university in Indiana. Among the 105 members of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (the main organization of evangelical colleges in the US and Canada), IWU is by far its largest member with nearly 15,000 students enrolled as of September 2007. The next largest member, Azusa Pacific University, has less than 8,000 students. The University currently employs more than 200 full-time faculty, over 400 full-time administrative and staff members, and more than 700 adjunct faculty members.
On July 1, 2006, Dr. Henry Smith succeeded Dr. James Barnes as president of IWU. Dr. Barnes served as president from 1987-2006 and is credited with transforming IWU from a small, struggling Christian college into one of the largest and most successful evangelical Christian universities in the world. Dr. Barnes now serves as University Chancellor.[6]
[edit] Honors
In 2007, the University was named "One of the Top Masters Universities in the Midwest" by U.S. News and World Report, ranked 62nd among 138 schools. In the 2008 edition, IWU jumped up to 31st in the rankings.[7]
The New Media Consortium recently recognized IWU as a world leader in its innovative approaches to the use of technology. IWU is the first member institution of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities to be selected. President and CEO of the New Media Consortium, Dr. Larry Johnson, identifies IWU as "a place where smart, creative people are devising innovative solutions to challenges we all face in teaching and learning. The dedication to excellence here is palpable, and students and faculty are the clear beneficiaries."[8]
The University was one of 12 independent colleges chosen nationally to receive the Foundation of Excellence Award from the Policy Center on the First Year of College. As a result, the university is helping to develop programs and best practices that many institutions across the country will view as the gold standard for outstanding first-year programming.[9]
The Best Christian Workplaces Institute, a research-based organizational and human resources consulting firm, recently named the University one of the three Best Christian Workplaces in America. The Institute has surveyed 400-plus Christian organizations, with more than 40,000 employees, during the last four years.[10]
The Center for Life Calling and Leadership has developed a national reputation for excellence grounded in groundbreaking research and innovative application.[11]
Two faculty members have recently received Fulbright research grants.[12]
The University has also been named one of the "Top Ten Conservative Colleges" in the U.S. by the Young America's Foundation four years in a row.[13]
[edit] Enrollment
Indiana Wesleyan's total enrollment has grown tremendously the past 20 years, from a student total of 2,000 in 1987 to nearly 15,000 in 2007. This rapid growth has made IWU the largest institution in the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, the largest private university in the state of Indiana, and the fastest-growing university in Indiana.
The population of traditional students living in university-owned residence facilities has increased from 442 students in 1989 to nearly 2,500 in the fall of 2007.
Enrollment in the College of Adult and Professional Studies programs has increased more than 900 percent, from 1,250 students in 1989 to more than 11,500 students in the fall of 2007. With IWU’s continued expansion around the Midwest, enrollment in the adult programs is projected to double during the next decade.
Recently, the Board of Trustees voted to double the undergraduate student population to 6,200. Eventually, the University's total student body is projected to surpass 30,000, making it the largest evangelical Christian university in the world. However, President Smith has stated that the current emphasis is on improving the academic reputation of the University and increasing the endowment.
[edit] Main Campus
Indiana Wesleyan University is noted for its award-winning 300 acre main campus in Marion, Indiana. During the past two decades, nearly $250 million in new construction and renovation have transformed IWU into a debt-free, student-focused, state-of-the-art university. Since 1990, over 50 construction projects have been completed, including 20 residence halls and 16 academic/administrative buildings, along with 11 adult and professional studies structures around the Midwest. Fort Wayne-based architectural firm,Design Collaborative, has designed the majority of the campus facilities. A national poll recently ranked IWU's campus #1 in the U.S. among evangelical Christian universities. IWU has also been ranked #1 in the nation for spiritual atmosphere by Campus Life magazine.
As the University continues to grow, new facilities are constantly being built. Chief among them is a new $22 million chapel/auditorium (where required chapel services will be held 3 days a week) currently under construction and scheduled for completion in January 2010. The groundbreaking ceremony was held on April 4, 2008. With 4,000 seats, the new chapel will be one of the largest theaters in the Midwest. It will even be larger than the famous Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, home of the Academy Awards.
 Phillippe Performing Arts Center (1996) |
 Jackson Library (2003) |
 Student Center (1994,2001,2006) |
 Globe Theatre, Student Center (2001) |
 Student Center Mall (2006) |
 Student Center Piazza (2006) |
 Maxwell Business Center (1998) |
 Health and Wellness Center (1999) |
 Burns Hall of Science and Nursing (2000) |
 Williams Prayer Chapel (2001) |
 John Wesley Statue (2003) |
 John Wesley Administration Building (1893,2003) |
 President's Home (1998) |
 Noggle Christian Ministries Center (1984,2008) |
 Hodson Hall (1996) |
 Scripture Hall (2001) and University Fountain (2003) |
 Upperclassman Lodges (2005) |
 North Hall (2007) |
 Elder Hall (2007) |
 New College Wesleyan Church (2007) |
[edit] Athletics
The University offers eight intercollegiate sports for both men and women. The Wildcats compete in the Mid-Central College Conference and are the conference's winningest school. IWU is also a member of the NCCAA Division I and NAIA Division II.[14]
IWU is also home to MCC conference president, Dr. Mike Fratzke, who was voted the 2007 NAIA Athletics Director of the Year.[15]
The University has earned a national reputation for athletic excellence and in recent years, has dominated the MCC. IWU has won the MCC Conference Commissioners Cup a record seven consecutive years, and placed among the Top 20 in the NAIA United States Sports Academy Directors' Cup Standings nine straight years.
[edit] 2006-2007
The 2006-2007 school year was a record year for IWU sports, winning conference championships in 10 of the 14 MCC sports, which is a conference record. Both the men's and women's soccer and basketball teams captured MCC championships, the first school to do so. In addition, the men's golf team captured its second straight NCCAA National Championship and the women's tennis team won the NCCAA National Championship as well (the program's third overall). However, the story of the year was the record-breaking women's basketball team, who captured the first NAIA National Championship in school history. The Wildcats posted a perfect 38-0 record, becoming the first basketball team in NAIA history to go undefeated.[16]
[edit] 2007-2008
The 2007-2008 school year started well for the Wildcats, including MCC championships in men's (2nd in a row) and women's soccer (10th in a row), women's tennis (16th in a row), men's (3rd in a row) and women's cross country, women's volleyball (2nd in a row), and men's golf. Both the men's and women's soccer teams and the women's volleyball team (6th in a row) secured MCC Tournament championships as well. The men's soccer team posted a 14-3-1 regular season record, the best in program history, reached #6 in the NAIA national rankings (also a record mark), and won the NCCAA Midwest Regional Championship, as well as being ranked #1 in the NCCAA national poll for most of the season. The women's soccer team also won the NCCAA National Championship (the program's fourth overall) and finished with a season record of 21-2-1, the best in school history.[17] IWU was well on its way to securing its seventh straight MCC Commissioners Cup.[18]
In December, the women's basketball team broke a 24 year old NAIA record by winning their 48th consecutive game. Despite losing 4 starters from the previous season, they started 2007-2008 18-0, extending their record mark by winning a staggering 56 consecutive games. The historic streak was snapped, however, on January 12, 2008 in a loss to MCC rival Bethel College.[19] Despite being picked to finish fourth in the preseason MCC coaches poll, the Wildcats exceeded expectations and finished the season in second place in the MCC, behind Bethel College. In the MCC Tournament championship, the Wildcats lost again to Bethel for the third time in the season. However, IWU received an at-large bid to the NAIA National Tournament, where, though favored, they lost in the first round against William Jewell College. The women ended their season with a 28-6 overall record, 3 of the losses coming against Bethel.[20]
While the women's season started brightly and faded at the end, the men's was the exact opposite. Following a record season in which they were MCC champions and qualified for the Elite Eight for the first time at the NAIA National Tournament, the men were picked to finish first again in the preseason MCC coaches poll. However, they finished a disappointing fourth with a poor 9-7 conference record. More misery ensued with a shocking loss at home to arch-rival Taylor University in the MCC Tournament first round, which ensured that there would be no return trip to the NAIA's. Despite another bad loss at home to MCC rival Spring Arbor University in the NCCAA Regional Final, the Wildcats still qualified for the NCCAA National Tournament in Oakland City, Indiana, as the #1 seed. On March 20, 2008, IWU avenged their earlier loss to Spring Arbor by defeating them 74-61 in the National Championship. The Wildcats finished the season with an overall record of 23-11. The NCCAA national title was the program's first since IWU won it at home in 1995, and the second in program history.[21]
The men's basketball national championship was IWU's third NCCAA national title during the 2007-2008 school year. The women's soccer team won their championship in November and the men's indoor track and field team won their national championship in February.[22] In March, IWU clinched their record seventh straight MCC Commissioners Cup, with an 18 point lead over nearest rival, Bethel College.[23]
[edit] Championships
The men's sports began MCC play in 1968 and the women's sports began MCC play in 1986. The University holds the record for MCC conference championships with 111 titles.
| Sport | Total | Years won |
|---|---|---|
| Baseball | 4 | 1975, 1980, 1983, 1985 |
| Men's Basketball | 1 | 2007 |
| Women's Basketball | 6 | 1994, 2002-2005, 2007 |
| Men's Cross Country | 17 | 1973, 1981-1986, 1989-1993, 2000, 2001, 2005-2007 |
| Women's Cross Country | 9 | 1998-2005, 2007 |
| Golf | 11 | 1977, 1981-1985, 1987, 1994, 1995, 1997, 2007 |
| Men's Soccer | 5 | 1993, 1994, 1998, 2006, 2007 |
| Women's Soccer | 11 | 1996, 1998-2007 |
| Softball | 4 | 1989, 1992, 2005, 2006 |
| Men's Tennis | 13 | 1979, 1980, 1982, 1984-1987, 1989, 1990, 2002-2004, 2006 |
| Women's Tennis | 16 | 1992-2007 |
| Men's Track and Field | 4 | 1982, 1983, 1994, 2007 |
| Women's Track and Field | 6 | 1999, 2002-2005, 2007 |
| Volleyball | 4 | 1999, 2002, 2006, 2007 |
The University has 21 national championship titles, including 1 NAIA national championship from the record-setting 2006-2007 women's basketball team that went 38-0. The other 20 titles are NCCAA national championships.[24]
| Year | Sports |
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| 1985 | Women's Volleyball |
| 1994 | Men's Track and Field |
| 1995 | Men's Basketball |
| 1997 | Women's Soccer |
| 1999 | Women's Soccer |
| 2000 | Women's: Basketball, Soccer, Volleyball |
| 2002 | Women's Basketball |
| 2003 | Women's: Cross Country, Tennis, Indoor Track and Field, Track and Field |
| 2004 | Women's Indoor Track and Field |
| 2005 | Men's Golf, Women's Tennis |
| 2006 | Men's Golf |
| 2007 | Women's: Soccer, Tennis |
| 2008 | Men's: Basketball, Indoor Track and Field |
[edit] External links
- Official website
- About Indiana Wesleyan University
- Society of World Changers
- Official athletics website
- Official website - Campus tour
- Website of the Wesleyan Church
[edit] References
- ^ Indiana Wesleyan University | Alumni
- ^ Indiana Wesleyan University
- ^ Indiana Wesleyan University
- ^ Indiana Wesleyan University
- ^ CCCU : About Us | Members
- ^ Indiana Wesleyan University
- ^ Indiana Wesleyan University | Alumni
- ^ Indiana Wesleyan University | Alumni
- ^ Indiana Wesleyan University | Alumni
- ^ Indiana Wesleyan University | Alumni
- ^ Indiana Wesleyan University | Alumni
- ^ Indiana Wesleyan University | Alumni
- ^ Young America's Foundation In The News
- ^ Indiana Wesleyan University Athletic Department
- ^ Indiana Wesleyan University Athletic Department
- ^ College of Arts and Sciences - Indiana Wesleyan University
- ^ Indiana Wesleyan University Athletic Department
- ^ Mid-Central College Conference - 2007 Men's Soccer
- ^ Indiana Wesleyan University Athletic Department - 2007-08 Women's Basketball
- ^ Indiana Wesleyan University Athletic Department - 2007-08 Women's Basketball
- ^ Indiana Wesleyan University Athletic Department - 2007-08 Men's Basketball
- ^ Indiana Wesleyan University Athletic Department News
- ^ Mid-Central College Conference
- ^ Indiana Wesleyan University Athletic Department - Quick Facts
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