Roberts Wesleyan University

Roberts Wesleyan University is a private Christian university offering liberal arts and professional programs in Rochester, New York. It was the first educational institution established for Free Methodists in North America. Roberts is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, is a member of the Association of Colleges and Universities of the State of New York,[3] the Rochester Area Colleges, the Association of Free Methodist Educational Institutions, the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC),[4] and the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU).[5]

Roberts Wesleyan University
Former names
Chili Seminary (1866–1885)
A.M. Chesbrough Seminary (1885–1945)
Roberts Junior College (1945–1949)
Roberts Wesleyan College (1949–2022)
MottoEducation for Character [1]
TypePrivate
Established1866 (1866)
Religious affiliation
Free Methodist Church
Endowment$33.9 million (2020)[2]
PresidentDeana Porterfield
Students1,670
Location
Rochester
,
New York (state)
,
United States
CampusSuburban
ColorsRed  
NicknameRedhawks
Sporting affiliations
NCAA Division II – ECC
MascotReggie the Redhawk
Websitewww.roberts.edu

Northeastern Seminary (NES) is a graduate school of theology located on the campus of Roberts Wesleyan University. Northeastern has been fully accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada since 2003.[6] It is also accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education[7] and approved by the New York State Board of Regents University of the State of New York.[8]

History

Roberts Wesleyan University was originally established as Chili Seminary by Benjamin Titus Roberts in 1866. Roberts was a social activist who opposed slavery and oppression of the poor, and was a supporter of women's right to vote. He began the school to train young people to become servant leaders with high moral character. Having first used a local tavern as a school, in 1869 a three story brick building was erected. There were 56 students total that year.[9]

In 1885, its name changed to Chesbrough Seminary in response to the $30,000 gift of benefactor A.M. Chesbrough.

In the fall of 1892 both Cox Hall and Roberts Hall were completed.[10] Cox Hall was used as both class rooms and administration,[10] and now houses the Department of Music and Performing Arts. The first public event held in Cox Hall was founder B.T. Roberts' funeral in 1893. Students laid a sidewalk between Cox and Roberts Hall in 1929.[11]

Carpenter Hall was opened in 1935. It was named for Miss Adella P. Carpenter who had taught at the school from 1877 to 1916.[10] Carpenter Hall has housed many important pieces of the campus, including the dining hall, library, and dorms. The building currently houses the Art, Social Work, and Psychology Departments.

In 1945, it was renamed Roberts Junior College in honor of B.T. Roberts, the founder of both the college and the Free Methodist Church. Four years later, it was renamed as Roberts Wesleyan College to indicate the transition to a four-year baccalaureate institution and to root itself clearly within the Wesleyan theological tradition.

In 1998, Northeastern Seminary[12] was established as Roberts' graduate school of theology.

In 2022, it was renamed Roberts Wesleyan University in accordance with the New York State Education Board of Regents (on 9/13/22).[13]

On January 26, 2023 it was announced that current Roberts Wesleyan University President Deanna Porterfield would conclude her work in June at the institution in Rochester, NY. She will then move on to assume the role of President at Seattle Pacific University later on in 2023.

Academics

Roberts Wesleyan University has undergraduate (60+), graduate and doctoral (16) and adult degree-completion (6) programs and online programs including hybrid options (12). Roberts also has a doctoral programs in Clinical & School Psychology and Occupational Therapy. Northeastern Seminary at Roberts Wesleyan University students can complete a Master of Arts in Theology, Master of Divinity, Doctor of Ministry degree, and several certificate programs.

Athletics
Roberts Wesleyan University soccer players

The Roberts Wesleyan athletic teams are called the Redhawks. Roberts is a member of the Division II level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA); primarily competing in the East Coast Conference (ECC) since the 2012–13 academic year. They are also a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA), primarily competing as an independent in the Midwest Region of the Division I level. The Redhawks previously competed in the defunct American Mideast Conference of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) from 2001–02 to 2011–12 (when the conference dissolved).

Roberts Wesleyan competes in 16 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include basketball, cross country, lacrosse, soccer, swimming & diving and track & field (indoor and outdoor); while women's sports include basketball, bowling, cross country, lacrosse, soccer, swimming & diving, track & field (indoor and outdoor), and volleyball. Four sports will be added in 2023–24—women's field hockey and triathlon, men's volleyball, and the coeducational and non-NCAA esports.

Move to Division II

In July 2011, Roberts was accepted into the NCAA Division II reclassification process from the NAIA to the NCAA.[14] Roberts became a full member of NCAA Division II for the 2014–15 academic year.[14] Roberts Wesleyan University is the first NCAA Division II school in the Greater Rochester Region.

Residence Life

Residence halls include Davison Hall, the Alumni Villages (made up of Morrow Hall, Sittig Hall, Mohnkern Hall, and Wittingham Hall), the Beeson Apartments, and fifteen townhouses, Miner Hall and The Quads (O'Brien Hall, Updyke Hall, and Magill Hall).

Notable alumni

References
  1. "Office of the President". www.roberts.edu. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
  2. As of June 30, 2020. U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2020 Endowment Market Value and Change in Endowment Market Value from FY19 to FY20 (Report). National Association of College and University Business Officers and TIAA. February 19, 2021. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  3. "Association of Colleges and Universities of the State of New York". Retrieved March 13, 2020.
  4. "The Council of Independent Colleges – Advancing Independent Higher Education and its Leadership". The Council of Independent Colleges. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
  5. "CCCU Member Detail". Retrieved March 13, 2020.
  6. "Northeastern Seminary at Roberts Wesleyan University". The Association of Theological Schools (ATS). Retrieved May 21, 2019.
  7. "msache.org". ww5.msache.org. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
  8. "New York State Education Department". www.nysed.gov.
  9. Chesbronian 1942, Students of 1942. Chesbrough Seminary. 1942. pp. 58.
  10. Chesbronian 1942, Students of 1942. Chesbrough Seminary. 1942. pp. 60, 62–63.
  11. Chesbronian 1942, Students of 1942. Chesbrough Seminary. 1942. pp. 61.
  12. "Northeastern Seminary | Theological Seminary | Ministry Education". www.nes.edu. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
  13. "Roberts Wesleyan College Becomes Roberts Wesleyan University". Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  14. Bradley, Steve (July 13, 2011). "Roberts Wesleyan moving up to Division II athletics". Democrat and Chronicle. Retrieved July 13, 2011.
  15. "Ambassador | Embassy of the United States Singapore". August 21, 2014. Archived from the original on August 21, 2014. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
  16. "Jenn Suhr '04 Sets World Indoor Pole Vault Record". Roberts Wesleyan University. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
  17. "Daniel Bennett brings 'Brian Wilson jazz' back home". Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. Retrieved May 21, 2019.

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.