When the Rev. Milton Kroger Little drove a claim-stake into a barren 50-acre tract of land east of Fort Worth in 1890, even the most visionary supporter of the new college could not have imagined the university that would come into being. From that inauspicious beginning, Texas Wesleyan has successfully taught generations of leaders how to rise to a challenge and get a job done. They did it with class and compassion, an attitude earning the University a Texas-sized reputation that has only grown in recent years.
The Poly Years 1891-1914
When Polytechnic College of the Methodist Episcopal Church South opened its doors in September 1891, it boasted a 25-acre campus, a wooden dorm, an A-frame chapel and a brick classroom building to serve its 105 students and 11 faculty. It was among a growing number of colleges embracing a new way of thinking about education; adding training in commerce and industry to a classic education in the arts and letters, thus “poly,” or many. Students would receive practical training in business and professional life that would serve as a pipeline to the growing industrial base in Fort Worth, hence “technic.”
Texas Woman’s College 1914-1935
On May 13, 1914, trustees changed Poly to Texas Woman’s College. That September 317 girls and eight faculty members began classes on a campus with six buildings. During the 1920’s, the tradition of robing, which commemorates the relationship between faculty and students through a ceremonial vesting of cap and gown, became a University tradition. The tradition remains to this day and is an example of Texas Wesleyan’s dedication to a small, personal educational atmosphere. Faced with dwindling resources during the Depression, trustees voted to close the school in 1931. However, a merger with the financially secure Texas Wesleyan Academy in Austin kept the doors open and created the new, co-educational institution of Texas Wesleyan College in 1934.
Texas Wesleyan College 1935-1989
In the fall of 1934, women returned to campus to find men attending classes. The men increased enrollment by 51 percent. The following March, trustees changed the name one more time, to Texas Wesleyan College, maintaining the initials TWC. The little college would bear the name proudly for 54 years. In addition to strong undergraduate programs, the University added graduate programs in education in the 1970s and nurse anesthesia and graduate business programs in the 1980s. The Council of Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia accredits the Graduate Programs of Nurse Anesthesia. The Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia became the largest MSNA program in the U.S. Recognizing the growth in programs, trustees changed the name of the institution to Texas Wesleyan University, effective in January 1989.
Texas Wesleyan University 1989-Present
Texas Wesleyan has historically combined service to a residential population along with its strong commitment to a commuting and adult population. To add flexibility in the scheduling of courses and to recognize the special needs of adult learners, the University added the Weekend/Evening Program in 1994. The University established an instructional site in downtown Fort Worth in 1997 with the relocation of the Texas Wesleyan University School of Law, which was established in 1992 and fully accredited by the American Bar Association. In 2013, Texas Wesleyan University School of Law was acquired by Texas A&M University.
Texas Wesleyan continues to grow in the 21st century. The psychology department moved into its new home, the Nenetta Burton Carter Building in 2001, and a new building for the Graduate Programs of Nurse Anesthesia opened in 2003. A graduate program in counseling was added in 2004. In 2005, Texas Wesleyan opened its first apartment-style dormitory for students and completed renovations of the Polytechnic United Methodist Church. In 2007, the Ed and Rae Schollmaier Science and Technology Center opened as well as the Louella Baker-Martin Pavilion-affectionately known as Lou’s Place. In 2008, the historic Baker Building was renovated, and Texas Wesleyan established the Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice and, in 2009, the Doctor of Education. In 2010, the Claudia Stepp Scene Shop opened for use by the theatre department, and the University unveiled the new Jack and Jo Willa Morton Fitness Center. A Doctor of Philosophy in Marriage and Family Therapy was established in 2014.
In 2014, Texas Wesleyan underwent a campus-wide infrastructure development project that promotes environmental stewardship and reduces energy waste.
As a part of the 2020 Vision, the University completed the Rosedale Renaissance, the first major revitalization of East Fort Worth in several generations, in 2015. This multi-million-dollar project formed as a partnership with the City of Fort Worth, Tarrant County and the North Central Texas Council of Governments. It created a new front door to the University, renovated the historic Polytechnic Firehouse, created a new Community Counseling Center and revitalized East Rosedale. In addition, the project brought the United Methodist Church Central Texas Conference Service Center and the bishop’s offices to the Texas Wesleyan University campus.
Starting in 2017, Texas Wesleyan launched several 100% online graduate programs including a masters programs in business administration, computer science, counseling, education, a master of science in nursing, and a doctorate in nursing practice.
In 2019, Texas Wesleyan teamed with the Fort Worth Independent School District to create the Leadership Academy Network, a first-of-its-kind partnership designed to continue the success of five once-struggling FWISD schools. The University also established a pathway with Tarrant County College to provide TCC students a seamless way to automatically transfer to Texas Wesleyan and earn a four-year college degree.
Later in 2019, Texas Wesleyan dedicated a new, $20.25 million, 44,000-square-foot student center, the Nick & Lou Martin University Center. The fully-funded project is the most significant capital improvement project at Texas Wesleyan in a century. The student center is the hub for student life and engagement, and includes the University bookstore, a food court, welcome center, outdoor amphitheater and more.
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