Southern Wesleyan University

Southern Wesleyan University
Former names
 Wesleyan Methodist College (1909-1959)
Central Wesleyan College (1959-1994)
Type Private
Established 1906
Affiliation Wesleyan Church
President Dr. Todd Voss
Students 1,883[1]
Undergraduates 1,446
Postgraduates 427
Location Central, South Carolina, USA
34°43′27.6″N 82°46′18.9″W / 34.724333°N 82.771917°W / 34.724333; -82.771917
Campus multiple campuses
Colors Royal Blue
Athletics
Nickname Warriors & Lady Warriors
Mascot Warriors
Affiliations NCCAA, NCAA, NAIA[2]
Website www.swu.edu

Southern Wesleyan University is a four-year and graduate Christian college, with its main campus in Central, South Carolina. The university was founded in 1906 by what is now the Wesleyan Church.

The school prepares students for leadership and graduate study in such fields as business, education, religion, music, medicine, law and a variety of civic and social service professions. It offers approximately 35 major areas of study for undergraduates and also offers graduate degrees in the areas of business and education. The university serves approximately 1,900 students.[1] There are more than 600 traditional undergraduates enrolled at the main campus in Central, South Carolina. In addition, undergraduate and graduate programs are offered in a non-traditional, evening format at regional learning centers in Central, Greenville, Columbia, Charleston, North Augusta, Greenwood and Spartanburg.[3][4] Dr. Todd Voss serves as Southern Wesleyan University's president.[4]

The school has 15 intercollegiate athletic teams.[5] In 2007, women's basketball and men's baseball teams won their respective National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) national championships.[5] Men's soccer and individual men's golf won NCCAA National Championships in 2013.[5][6]

General information

Rickman Library at Southern Wesleyan University

Southern Wesleyan University (SWU) occupies a 350-acre (142 ha) campus near the town of Central, South Carolina.

Accreditation

Southern Wesleyan University has been accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools since 1973.[7] In 2008, the School of Education was accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education for the teacher education programs at the undergraduate and master's levels.[7] Degree programs in Music and Music Education are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music as of 2008.[7]

History

In 1904, representatives of Wesleyan Methodist churches in South Carolina and surrounding states met at Central to consider the possibility of establishing a college. Classes at the new school began on October 15, 1906, with students from first grade through college. Initially known as the Wesleyan Methodist Bible Institute (1906–1908), subsequent names included Wesleyan Methodist College (1909–1959) and Central Wesleyan College (1959–1994). The school was renamed Southern Wesleyan University in 1994.

A campus fixture for nearly 60 years, Smith Hall was the first building constructed on College Hill. When it opened in 1906, it housed the chapel, six classrooms, administrative space and a small library collection. In 1916, construction was completed on Grimes Hall, which became the central campus landmark until the early 1970s. The building served classroom and administrative purposes, as well as chapel, library and dining hall at times. Since then the campus has expanded to nearly 20 buildings over 250 acres (101 ha).

Beginning in 1928, the college operated as a two-year junior college, with a four-year theological program.[8] For many years elementary and secondary school classes were offered as well. In 1958, the pre-college programs were phased out, and the college moved to a full four-year program.[8] The junior college program received accreditation that same year, and Central Wesleyan College (as the school was then called) was accredited to award bachelor's degrees in 1973.[7] The university is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate's, bachelor's and master's degrees.[7]

In addition to the traditional program, in 1986 a nontraditional program for working adults was added.[8] Initially known as Leadership Education for Adult Professionals (LEAP), the program has now expanded to several degree programs operating under the title of Adult and Graduate Studies (AGS).[8] The initial LEAP program offered a bachelor's degree in management, with an associate degree in business added in 1988. Master's degree programs in Christian Ministries and Management were added in 1990. Master's programs in Business Administration and Education began in 2002.[8] SWU began offering fully online courses, available nationwide, in 2013.[8]

Academics

Southern Wesleyan University offers undergraduate degrees in accounting, biology, business administration, chemistry, applied computer science, computer information systems, criminal justice, education, English, environmental studies, exercise science, forensic computer science, history, human services, intercultural studies, management, mathematics, media communication, music, pre-medicine and pre-dentistry, psychology, recreation and sport management, religion and social science. It also offers graduate programs through the Adult and Graduate Studies program in business administration (MBA), education in classroom leadership (M.Ed.), administration and supervision (M.Ed.) and management (MSM).

School of Education

The school of education provides training for teaching careers in public, private or Christian education. This training is geared toward classroom management, student learning and teacher instruction for the elementary and secondary school levels. It offers bachelor's degrees in Biology, Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, English Education, Music Education, Mathematics Education, Physical Education and Special Education. It also offers two Master of Education degrees in Classroom Leadership and Administration and Supervision.[9]

School of Business

The school of business provides business education with a Christian perspective that prepares students for positions of leadership and service. It offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA), Master of Business Administration (MBA), and Master of Science in Management (MSM).

College of Arts and Sciences

The College of Arts and Sciences at Southern Wesleyan University offers a valuable journey of learning and discovery across a broad range of academic disciplines, such as the humanities, fine arts, and the social, natural and computational sciences.[10]

SWU Administration Building

Photo gallery

Student activities

Student Life

Student Life maintains student government,[11] Student Activities, athletics, first year experience, counseling, retention, and overall student life. Student Life hosts an annual Day of Service in which students and staff participate in various projects in the local community.[12] Service projects include such things as food drives, brush clean up, entertainment and cleaning.[12] Southern Wesleyan's goal for student life is to integrate faith, living, and learning into students education and to cultivate strong men and women who desire to embody the character of Christ.[13]

Student Activities is a branch of Student Government and is responsible for the planning and execution of a calendar of events each semester. This student-led group puts on events ranging from "SWU's line is it anyways?" to the campus-wide parties they throw such as Monsterbash, Re-Bash, Crash, Splash, and Smash.

Athletics

Official athletics logo.

Southern Wesleyan (SWU) teams are nicknamed the Warriors. A new logo was introduced in 2013, but the Warrior name was retained. SWU competes as part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Division I level, primarily competing in the Southern States Athletic Conference.[2][14] The Warriors also compete as a Division I member of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA).[15] As of January 2013, the Warriors are gained sponsorship by Conference Carolinas of the Division II NCAA.[2] The earliest it will be a full member of NCAA is the 2016-2017 academic year.[16] Chris Williams serves as SWU's athletic director.[14]

SWU men's sports include basketball, baseball, soccer, golf, tennis, cross country, and track & field.[17] In 2013, The Men's soccer team won the Division I NCCAA National Championships and Camilo Rodriguez, the team's head coach was awarded NCCAA's Coach of the Year.[5][6] SWU women's sports include soccer, volleyball, basketball, softball, golf, cross-country, tennis and track & field.[14][17] In 2007, the SWU Women's basketball team was awarded the NCCAA National Championship.[5]

Intramural athletics

Open to students of all skill levels, intramural sports include football, soccer, and softball in the Fall semester and basketball, soccer and volleyball in the Spring semester.

Sigma Deltas

Sigma Delta translated from Greek is "fellow servant." "The mission of the Order of the Sigma Delta is to support the greater mission of Southern Wesleyan University and assist in providing an excelling learning experience that equips others for service and mobilizes leaders, by serving as a role model of servant leadership on our campus."[18] The common initiatives of the Sigma Delta are student orientation services, peer mentoring, and volunteering in such events as Habitat for Humanity, Day of Service, Relay for Life and Earth Day events.[18]

Spiritual Life on Campus

Ministry teams

Southern Wesleyan University offers opportunities for students to be involved with a ministry team that is funded by the university. There are three types of ministry teams sent out by the university including Recreation Ministry Teams, the Difference and University Singers.

Recreation Ministry Teams

Recreation Ministry Teams serve as needed at various Christian summer camps in the months of June and July.[19]

The Difference

The Difference is a year-long program, in which members travel to lead worship at churches, events and summer camps.[19] There are eight members in this contemporary worship band. They also serve as a recreation team at summer camps.[19]

University Singers

University Singers is a traveling vocal group which performs religious music at various churches and events.[20] They sing a mixture of contemporary and traditional gospel music.[21]

Local Service Opportunities

SWU has many service partners in the local area providing volunteer opportunities to students.[22]

Notable graduates

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Southern Wesleyan University Stats, Info and Facts". Cappex. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 "Conference Carolinas Announces NCAA Sponsorship for Southern Wesleyan University". Conference Carolinas. January 11, 2013. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  3. ↑ "South Carolina – Colleges and Universities". Sciway. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  4. 1 2 "Southern Wesleyan University announces Dr. Voss as new president as of July 1". SCICU. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 "Athletics". Southern Wesleyan University. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  6. 1 2 "Southern Wesleyan University 2013 Men's Soccer DI National Champions". NCCAA. December 7, 2013. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 "The Database of Post-secondary Institutions and Programs". U.S. Department of Education. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "About SWU". Southern Wesleyan University. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  9. ↑ "School of Education". Southern Wesleyan University. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  10. ↑ "College of Arts and Science". Southern Wesleyan University. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  11. ↑ Student Government Association
  12. 1 2 "SWU: Students, faculty, staff roll up sleeves for Day of Service". SCICU. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  13. ↑ "Student Life". Southern Wesleyan University. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  14. 1 2 3 "Southern Wesleyan University". SSAC. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  15. ↑ "South Region". NCCAA. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  16. ↑ "SWU approved for NCAA membership". SCICU. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  17. 1 2 "South Carolina Independent Colleges & Universities". SCICU. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  18. 1 2 "The Order of Sigma Delta". Southern Wesleyan University. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  19. 1 2 3 "Ministry Teams at SWU". Retrieved 814May 2014. Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  20. ↑ Vince Jackson (16 March 2013). "Southern Wesleyan students to perform day of service". Anderson Independent-Mail.
  21. ↑ "Ministry Teams - University Singers". Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  22. ↑ "Service Partners". Southern Wesleyan University. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  23. ↑ "SWU GRAD WINS SILVER AT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS". Southern Wesleyan University. January 1, 2013. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  24. ↑ "Team USA Lindsey Torgerson BIke 4 Gold". Rally Me. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  25. ↑ "Books By Robert Black". Good Reads. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  26. ↑ "Columbia PD might absorb Homeland Security Department". The State. January 18, 2010. Retrieved 14 May 2014.

External links

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