IWU
Profile
IWU Story
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A Short History About
IWU
From 1920 to 1988, Marion College operated as a developing liberal arts institution with growing programs, offering Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees. 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. That same year the name of the institution was changed to Indiana Wesleyan University, reflecting an influence well beyond the city of Marion and across the state, its connection with The Wesleyan Church and Christian higher education, and the development of increasing numbers of graduate programs. Meanwhile, master’s degrees in Primary Care Nursing and Counseling were added in 1994 and 1995, respectively.
A decision in the early 1980s would greatly affect the future of the university. Having established itself as a solid liberal arts college, the university began offering courses and degrees to working adults during evening hours and Saturdays.
Enrollment at IWU has grown radically since 1985 when the first adult courses were offered. Adult programs now enroll approximately 11,000 students.
In 2000 IWU 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).
In 23 years, IWU’s enrollment has jumped from 1,087 to approximately 14,800. Within the state of Indiana, IWU has become the fastest-growing university and the largest private university in total enrollment. Among the members of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (the main organization of Evangelical schools of higher education in the U.S. and Canada), IWU has become its largest member with nearly 14,800 students enrolled in 2008. IWU now employs approximately 200 full-time faculty, 700 full-time administrative and staff members and almost 1,900 adjunct faculty members on the main campus in Marion, Ind., and at regional sites throughout Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky.
A new administration was initiated by the Board of Trustees with the presidency of Dr. Henry L. Smith, on July 1, 2006.
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