A Bright Beginning 1884 Dr. William L. Gooding 1873 Purchased land for school Wilmington Conference Academy Rev. James M. Williams 1876 Four-story Old Main #1 burned to the ground 1899 First football team organized 1911 Dr. Henry G. Budd elected sixth principal 1878 Dr. Robert H. Skinner Began Scott Literary Society Society eventually developed first school library 1890 Contract awarded for construction of 22-bedroom ladies hall (joined Main building, faced Bradford St.) 1874 Women admitted to the Academy as day scholars 1901 Dr. Elmer L. Cross Dedicated Old Main #1 Photos courtesy of the Archives at Robert H. Parker Library. Special thanks to Dr. Jamie Whitman-Smithe and Dr. Jessica James for timeline contributions. 8 WESLEY COLLEGE S P R I N G 2 0 1 3
1926 Major Clarence A. Short 1917 Decision was made to change the name of Wilmington Conference Academy to Wilmington Conference Collegiate Institute 1922 First junior college curriculum began 1941 Plans made for school s reopening after extensive financial restructuring Rev. Dr. Arthur J. Jackson 1912 New gymnasium dedicated 1918 Principal Budd became President Budd 1932 Board of Trustees votes unanimously to reorganize 1942 Dover community raises $7,500 to support Wesley 1924 Graduated first junior college students 1873-1942 WEARE.WESLEY.EDU 9
A Fresh Vision 1943 Rev. Dr. Oler Ammon Bartley elected President 1950 Name officially changed to Wesley Junior College Wesley Junior College accredited by Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools 1954 College acquires Richardson Mansion for use kitchen/dining room and dormitory Board of Trustees request $1.5 million of Peninsula Conference to continue growth and improvements 1963 New gymnasium and student center completed 1958 Junior dropped from Wesley s name 1944 New medical and dental secretarial courses added to curriculum 1957 Wesley fundraising campaign successful 1960 Dr. Robert Parker Track team added to interscholastic sports program Wesley Players hold first performance in Little Theater of newly built Slaybaugh Hall 1951 Dr. J. Paul Slaybaugh 10 WESLEY COLLEGE S P R I N G 2 0 1 3
Wesley-2013 SPRING-final_WESLEY REDESIGN 10.09 6/3/13 11:50 AM Page 11 1981 The Board approves four new baccalaureate programs: the Bachelor of Science degrees in Business Administration, Medical Technology, Environmental Science, and Nursing Anesthesia 1974 The Henry Belin du Pont College Center was dedicated and replaced Old Main 1976 Wesley began offering a 4-year curriculum that would lead to a 4-year degree in Business Administration in the fall The Little Theatre in Slaybaugh Hall was renamed and dedicated in honor of Lewis Wells 1971 Old Main razed 1978 During Commencement, Wesley granted the baccalaureate degree to seven seniors. These seven seniors were the first Wesley students to receive a 4-year degree 1980 1975 Wesley introduced its third baccalaureate program; Bachelor of Science. Wesley received accreditation for its Medical Technology Program The Second Century Fund Campaign surpassed its fundraising goal and raised $1.8 million dollars used to purchase land to expand Wesley College Dr. William W. Hassler 1977 Dr. R. Jervis Cooke was inaugurated and became Wesley s 13th president 1943-1981 WEARE.WESLEY.EDU 11
A Dynamic Future 1988 Wesley purchases 4.6 acres of land near the football field that would eventually become the baseball, softball, field hockey and soccer fields 1993 Wesley offered its first graduate program: The Master of Science degree. This degree was specifically for registered nurses 1999 Established a Master of Business Administration Degree and a Master s program in Environmental Science The student center, known as The Underground, is dedicated 2001 Renovation of the Wentworth Gymnasium were completed 1983 Dr. Reed M. Stewart was inaugurated as the 14th president 1992 Jim and Shirley Wentworth Gymnasium dedicated 1997 Scott D. Miller becomes Wesley College s 15th president 2000 Wesley received a one million dollar grant to renovate Parker Library 2002 Construction of the Wesley West Field House completed Renovations of the Parker Library completed 12 WESLEY COLLEGE S P R I N G 2 0 1 3
2003 The Honors House opened First Winter Commencement 2005 A new Department of Sports and Recreation was created to include athletics, intramurals/ recreations, and wellness programs 2008 William Johnston becomes the 16th president of Wesley College Started the new Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program The Honors program was established Malmberg Hall was completed and opens for the first time to students 2011 Wesley unveils new brand 2013 Wesley s celebrates its 140th year 2004 First Founder s Day 2007 Wolverine Stadium was re-named Scott D. Miller Stadium 2009 Wesley Society established 2012 Wesley Plazas dedicated Wesley receives keys to Frear Federal Building Charles R. Dashiell Jr. amphitheater and Gilbert Scarborough Alumni House dedicated The first Scholars Day 1983-2013 The Legacy Continues WEARE.WESLEY.EDU 13