) | |
Former names | Wilmington Conference Academy Wesley Collegiate Institute |
|---|---|
| Motto | Great Things Await |
| Type | Private liberal arts college |
| Established | 1873 |
Religious affiliation | United Methodist Church |
Academic affiliation | Space-grant |
| President | Robert E. Clark |
| Students | 2,320 |
| Location | , Delaware , United States |
| Campus | Small city 50 acres |
| Athletics | NCAA Division III Atlantic East Conference |
| Colors | Blue and white |
| Nickname | Wolverines |
| Website | www |
Wesley College is a private liberal arts college in Dover, Delaware. In July 2020, Delaware State University announced that it was acquiring Wesley College.[1][2][3]
History
The institution was founded in 1873 as a preparatory school called Wilmington Conference Academy. It became a two-year college in 1918, and was renamed the Wesley Collegiate Institute. The institution conferred its first four-year degrees in 1978.[4]
Academics
Many of its students pursue a liberal arts program of study. Majors offered in the liberal arts include American studies, English, history, international studies, liberal studies, mathematics, biology, biological chemistry, environmental science, media arts, music, philosophy and religion, political science and psychology. Majors offered in the professional studies include degrees in law and justice, nursing, education, physical therapy, accounting and business administration.
As of 2016, the institution had approximately 1,600 students.[5] Full-time students made up 85.7 percent of the student population, and non-traditional, adult students (aged 25 or over) comprised 14.3 percent.
Approximately 51 percent of the student body are female.[6] For the freshman class entering in fall 2007, 67.5 percent of applicants were admitted and 27.2 percent of those actually enrolled.
Athletics
The institution competes in National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division III athletics in the Atlantic East Conference. Its teams are known as the Wolverines. Among the varsity sports offered are baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, field hockey, football, golf, men's and women's lacrosse, men's and women's soccer, softball, men's and women's track & field, and women's volleyball. Since the Atlantic East is a non-football league, the football team competes in the New Jersey Athletic Conference. Wesley will continue to operate a Division-III athletic program in 2020–21, prior to its acquisition by Division-I Delaware State in 2021.
Athletic facilities
- Bob Reed Field (baseball)
- Drass Field at Scott D. Miller Stadium (field hockey, football, men's and women's lacrosse, men's and women's soccer)
- DuPont Softball Field (softball)
- Wentworth Gymnasium (men's and women's basketball, volleyball)
Notable alumni
- William N. Andrews (1898) – lawyer and Republican Party politician, including serving as U.S. Representative for Maryland's 1st congressional district (1919–1921)[8]
- Wayne Gilchrest (A.A., 1971) – Republican Party politician, including serving as U.S. Representative for Maryland's 1st congressional district (1991–2009)[9]
- Joe Callahan (B.S. 2016) – American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL).[10]
- Matt Gono (2017) – professional football player for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL).[11]
- Charles M. Oberly, III (A.A., 1966) – lawyer and Democratic Party politician, including serving as Delaware Attorney General (1983–1995); U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware (since 2010)[12]
- Eunan O'Neill (1982) – journalist, including for Russia Today[13]
- Colin R.J. Bonini (1991) – Republican Party politician, including serving as a member of the Delaware Senate from the 16th district (since 1995)[14]
- Rocky Myers (2005) – American football player; awarded Gagliardi Trophy, all-American football player and National Football Foundation scholarship[15]
- Bryan Robinson – professional football player; awarded all-American football player[16]
- Carolyn Bunny Welsh – Republican Party politician, including serving as sheriff of Chester County, Pennsylvania[17]
- Annie Jump Cannon (1880) – Noted astronomer[18]
- Justin Sottilare – American football quarterback. As a senior in 2010 Sottilare set the record of 38 touchdown passes in a season.[19]
- Jon Mullin – Professional career begins in Poland for Wesley Alumni Jon Mullin from New Jersey.[20]
See also
- List of colleges and universities in Delaware
- Campus Community School - charter school on the campus
- NCAA Division III - Ranked 26th in Football
References
- ^ Alamdari, Natalia. "Delaware State University signs agreement to acquire Wesley College". The News Journal. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
- ^ Cherry, Amy. "Delaware State University to officially acquire Wesley College". WDEL 101.7FM. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
- ^ "Delaware State Univ. to make historic acquisition of Wesley College". Retrieved October 13, 2020.
- ^ "State of Delaware - Delaware Public Archives - Kent County Markers". Retrieved June 16, 2016.
- ^ "About Wesley" Archived February 14, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. Wesley College.
- ^ "Wesley College - Best College - US News". Retrieved June 16, 2016.
- ^ "Facilities". gowesleyathletics.com. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
- ^ William N. Andrews
- ^ "GILCHREST, Wayne Thomas - Biographical Information". Retrieved June 16, 2016.
- ^ Joe Callahan (American football)
- ^ Matt Gono
- ^ "Meet Charles Oberly". Retrieved June 16, 2016.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on January 16, 2013. Retrieved January 9, 2013.
- ^ http://legis.delaware.gov/legislature.nsf/0/dd6f40db63c8522b852569d8005369fa?OpenDocument&TableRow=1.5.1#1.5
- ^ "Saint John's University - The Gagliardi Trophy". Retrieved June 16, 2016.
- ^ "Robinson Standing Out For Philadelphia Soul - Wesley". Retrieved June 16, 2016.
- ^ Carolyn Bunny Welsh
- ^ "Wesley Unveils Annie Jump Cannon Historical Marker | Wesley College". wesley.edu. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
- ^ "Justin Sottilare". Wesley. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
- ^ https://www.wdel.com/news/wesley-qb-jon-mullin-signs-to-play-in-poland/article_08410100-43a9-11ea-80d3-e33d23b646df.html.