Distinctives of Indiana Wesleyan University
Jesus Christ is at the heart of Indiana Wesleyan University. In all we do we seek to serve and glorify God. The fundamental value of Indiana Wesleyan University is Christ-likeness - as a community, we daily strive to exemplify the life of Christ in our commitments, our actions, and our relationships.
This Christian commitment has a transforming impact on the IWU educational experience, called forth in the IWU mission statement:
"Indiana Wesleyan University is a Christ-centered academic community committed to changing the world by developing students in character, scholarship, and leadership."
All of IWU's faculty and staff are committed Christians desiring to use their God-given skills, experiences, and passions to help IWU provide a high-quality Christian education to men and women of all ages.
Intentional integration of faith in learning is pervasive at all levels - undergraduate and graduate; for all student communities – residential, commuter, and distance learners; and in all instructional environments - in the classroom and online.
Scholarship at Indiana Wesleyan University is more than distinguished academics; it is the high quality of work that is expected from students and faculty members.
IWU is continually analyzing the world students will be entering after graduation to determine what enhancements must be made to the overall academic experience to better prepare its graduates to be "world changers." Thinking critically, communicating effectively and writing persuasively are trademark skills of IWU students.
IWU is committed to providing its students with the solid academic foundation they need to excel in their chosen vocations. With an overall student/faculty ratio of 14:1, IWU is committed to giving its students the individual attention they need to develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to change their world for Jesus Christ.
Our faculty are highly qualified, annually receiving national and international recognition for their research, writing, creativity, and performances. Many participate in and hold leadership positions in national disciplinary associations.
All in all, IWU offers more than 80 undergraduate and graduate programs on the residential campus. Over 100 associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs are available for adult learners, and Wesley Seminary offers ministry-specific master’s and doctoral level degrees in both English and Spanish.
IWU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (312-263-0456). Several specific programs are accredited by separate agencies.
Indiana Wesleyan University's faculty are well trained in their fields of expertise - a majority of our approximately 250 full-time faculty have earned doctoral degrees - and they remain current in their understanding through active participation in scholarship and research, often alongside their students.
Our committed instructors are more than teachers and advisors; by mentoring, discipling, and building relationships with students, they help provide a highly effective learning environment. The combination of academic excellence, Christian commitment and caring faculty produces life-changing and world-changing educational experiences.
IWU's programs for working adults utilize hundreds of course facilitators who work full time in the professions about which they teach part-time for IWU. Each facilitator brings to bear his or her personal experience in teaching, transforming theory into practical real-world skill development.
Throughout a student’s entire educational journey, IWU is poised to offer support in countless ways. Three hallmark programs set IWU apart.
Life Calling & Career
Education at Indiana Wesleyan University is about discovering purpose and calling in life. Life calling is a larger issue than selecting a major, choosing a job, determining an occupation or planning a career. It is a blending of knowledge of the condition of the world and God's intentions for it, commitment to change the world for Christ, and appreciation of gifting and personal formation that yield a unique sense of personal calling and life purpose. Calling and purpose then become the foundation for making life decisions, such as a choice of major and career.
IWU's Life Calling and Career office provides students with biblically-based "life coaching" that leads them through a discovery process helping them discern their life calling.
The Career Development team exists to help students and alumni prepare for meaningful work experiences by offering career goal-setting coaching, resume coaching, LinkedIn profile development assistance, interview practice sessions, and exploratory opportunities such as industry field jobs, job fairs, and internships.
Student Support Services
While the college years provide life-long memories and relationships, the journey can come with challenges and trials. The Center for Student Success supports students on the Marion campus outside of the classroom, including services such as Clinical Counseling, Disability Services, Tutoring, CLEP Testing, and the TRiO SSS Program. These services are delivered from a Christ-likeness perspective and are designed to assist the students in their spiritual, interpersonal, emotional, academic and psychological growth. Each student also has a defined support team of faculty and staff who proactively reach out and assist with success.
Student Resources and Services help adult learners navigate the unexpected to fulfill all that is required to obtain a degree and cross that stage on graduation day.
Campus Safety
IWU's Campus Police Department located on the Marion campus is registered with the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy and staffed by both professional law enforcement officers (mostly deputies from the county) and student security team members. The mission of this team is to provide a safe and secure learning environment for the university community. This is accomplished through a Christ-centered philosophy of promoting kindness, teamwork, problem-solving, and integrity in their tasks. Campus Police includes 24/7 patrols, a Safe Ride program, building security measures, and other emergency services.
The University's visually striking 350-acre main campus in Marion is located near Interstate 69, about an hour from both Fort Wayne and Indianapolis. Classes for adult learners are also taught at Education Centers throughout Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio. Seminary students study primarily online with intensive courses offered in the Wesley Seminary building, also located on the University’s campus.
Since the 1990s, $280 million in new construction and renovation have transformed IWU into a net-debt-free, ultra-modern, student-focused, high-tech university. The following exemplary facilities on the Marion campus illustrate the University's commitment to holistic student formation:
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Jackson Library, the academic heart of the University, houses more than 190,000 bound volumes, 220,000 microformats, and 650 journal subscriptions. The library's impressive two-story rotunda is home to the University's Society of World Changers, where inductees are displayed.
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Williams Prayer Chapel, the spiritual soul of the University, provides a peaceful, aesthetically appealing sanctuary for personal prayer, reflection and meditation.
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| The Barnes Student Center building is a stunning 200,000 square foot social hub of the University offering a full range of student life services, many dining options including Chick-fil-A, a number of favorite gathering spaces, a cinema, McConn Coffee Co., and The Commons entertainment center. |
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| A multi-purpose Recreation and Wellness Center, the physical core of the University, features multiple gymnasiums, weight rooms, a swimming pool, a climbing wall, and other personal and corporate conditioning amenities. |  |
| The Phillippe Performing Arts Center, the cultural center of the University, seats 1,200 for concerts, recitals and theatrical performances. This acoustically engineered building was awarded the Gold Citation for exceptional architectural design. |
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| The Chapel-Auditorium: Opened in January of 2010, the 3,800-seat Chapel-Auditorium provides the University with a much-needed large-capacity venue for chapel services, commencements, convocations, concerts and conventions. |
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| Elder Hall: This $12.5 million three-story, state-of-the-art facility provides 60,000 square feet of learning spaces including17 classrooms, six specialty learning labs, two lecture halls, two computer labs, and 50 faculty and staff offices. Elder Hall is also home to IWU’s radio station, WIWU-FM; The Sojourn, IWU’s award-winning campus newspaper; and WIWU-TV 51. |  |
| OTT Hall of Sciences and Nursing: Opened in 2014, the 110,000 square-foot Ott Hall of Sciences and Nursing houses a suite of new research facilities for undergraduate, graduate students and faculty members. The building is designed to bring together students and faculty of various disciplines to create a synergy that will benefit all of IWU’s efforts in mathematics, computer science and health science. |  |
| In addition to new construction, the stately John Wesley Administration Building, built in 1894, has been completely restored and stands as a symbolic connection to the University's rich past. |  |
Indiana Wesleyan University’s Residence Halls have been repeatedly ranked No. 1 as “Best College Dorms in Indiana” by Niche.com.
See our beautiful campus and picture yourself in Wildcat country through this one-of-a-kind 360° virtual tour.
Wildcat 360° Tour
Toggle from aerial views of campus to inside learning and living spaces through this one-of-a-kind 360° virtual tour. See our beautiful campus and picture yourself in Wildcat country.
Indiana Wesleyan University is a global community. The campus in Marion welcomes students from all over the world while online education provides a pathway for students to earn a degree in a flexible learning format from wherever they are located. IWU students often engage in study-abroad opportunities where they learn and take part in ministry around the globe.
As a military-friendly institution, IWU is committed to helping those who have served in our armed forces achieve their personal and professional goals. IWU extends military preferred tuition to active duty, National Guard, reserves, retirees, veterans, spouses and surviving spouses, DOD employees, DHS employees, and dependent children with educational benefits.
In 2013, newly elected President David Wright established the Office of Diversity & Inclusion to ensure IWU remains intentional in welcoming students, faculty, and staff who reflect the diversity of the world in which we live.
Indiana Wesleyan University has the creative people, financial resources, and visionary leadership to take advantage of opportunities created by our fast-changing world. More importantly, IWU has the will to embrace innovation and invention without fear of failure or fear of the unknown.
IWU leadership is committed to maintaining an environment where creativity and forward-thinking flourish, enabling the IWU community to shape the future. Faculty are encouraged to try new and creative ways of accomplishing course objectives. Grants, sabbaticals, and other resources also support faculty in developing new and better ways of keeping students abreast of the latest trends, techniques, and research.
Since 1920, Indiana Wesleyan University has been providing quality, Christian education to residential and commuter students on its campus in Marion, Indiana. As education has evolved, IWU has been at the forefront of adapting to meet the learning needs of all students.
In 1985, IWU enrolled its first students in a newly designed adult education program. Previously unheard of, students could take one course at a time, offered outside of normal business hours, one day per week and, in time, complete a college degree.
In 1996, IWU began offering courses online, opening the door to remote learning from anywhere in the world. With each iteration of these innovative adult education programs, curriculum, course delivery and student services were designed specifically with the adult student's needs in mind.
In 2009, with the blessing of the Wesleyan Church, IWU launched Wesley Seminary offering a practical and student-centered education for busy working ministers.
As IWU celebrates a century of service, the commitment to being a pioneer in education that focuses on accessibility to all kinds of students remains resolute.
The IWU Wildcats succeed as athletes across 18 athletic programs, but their significant successes do not adequately define athletics at IWU. With Philippians 2:1-11 as the driving force, each athletic program at Indiana Wesleyan University measures success by the growth within the heart of athletes. Wildcat coaches mentor athletes to be the men and women of God, to achieve both athletic and academic excellence, and to develop as leaders.