Iowa Wesleyan University

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Iowa Wesleyan University
Old Main, Iowa Wesleyan College.jpg
"Old Main" on the Iowa Wesleyan campus
Former names
Mount Pleasant Literary Institute (1842–1843)
Mount Pleasant Collegiate Institute (1843–1855)
Iowa Wesleyan College (1912–2015)
MottoLearning in Community: An Academic Vision
TypePrivate college
Established1842; 181 years ago (1842)
Religious affiliation
United Methodist Church
PresidentChristine Plunkett
Students700
Location
Mount Pleasant
,
Iowa
,
United States
Campusrural
ColorsPurple & White
   
NicknameTigers
Sporting affiliations
NAIA – Continental
NAIA – NSAA (football)
NAIA – HAAC (wrestling)
MascotWesley the Tiger
Websitewww.iw.edu

Iowa Wesleyan University is a private university in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. It is Iowa's first co-educational institution of higher learning and the oldest of its type west of the Mississippi River. The institution is affiliated with the United Methodist Church.[1]

It was founded as the Mount Pleasant Literary Institute in 1842, and was known as Mount Pleasant Collegiate Institute from 1843 to 1855, Iowa Wesleyan University from 1855 to 1912, and Iowa Wesleyan College from 1912 to 2015. The name reverted to Iowa Wesleyan University in 2015.

Two campus buildings Old Main and the Harlan-Lincoln House are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The latter, the former summer home of Robert Todd Lincoln, is now a museum featuring various artifacts from the Harlan and Lincoln families.

History

In 1841 a group of Methodist settlers in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, met and began lobbying the Iowa territorial legislature to establish an institute of higher learning in their burgeoning community.[2] On February 17, 1842, the legislature granted a charter for the Mount Pleasant Literary Institute, soon to be renamed as Mount Pleasant Collegiate Institute.[1] Despite the charter, organization and fund raising were sluggish at first. Twenty acres of land was donated for the campus by four Mount Pleasant residents in March 1843. That same month, organizing officials hired Reverend Artistides J. Heustis as the institution's first president.[2]

From February 1855, the school was known as Iowa Wesleyan University, honoring John Wesley, the founder of Methodism[1] The institution's name was modified to Iowa Wesleyan College in 1912, reflecting its contemporary status as a four-year baccalaureate degree institution of higher learning.

On August 10, 2015, Iowa Wesleyan adopted its new name: Iowa Wesleyan University, reflecting its broad educational opportunities and its roots as one of the oldest four-year co-educational church-related universities west of the Mississippi River.

The university occupies a 60-acre central campus of historic red brick buildings and modern structures, including some listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The chapel, built in 1896, received a complete renovation and restoration in the early 21st century.

Iowa Wesleyan is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools to offer academic programs leading to the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Music Education degrees. Undergraduate enrollment at the college is approximately 600 full-time students. Christine Plunkett has been president of the university since August 2019.

Student life

Iowa Wesleyan University offers many activities for students outside the classroom, including the Student Government Association, the Student Union Board, Intramurals, Hall Councils, Student Ambassadors, as well as a number of performing groups such as the Concert Choir.

Beginning in late mid-1800s, Iowa Wesleyan maintained an active Military Department, in which students organized as a corps of cadets received training under the guidance of United States Army officers.[3] Among Iowa Wesleyan's commandants were Ulysses G. McAlexander (1891 to 1895) and Charles L. Hodges (1895 to 1897)[4]

Greek life

Greek life has a rich history at Iowa Wesleyan University. The Beta chapter of Alpha Xi Delta sorority was the oldest sorority on campus, being on campus since 1902. It is the oldest chapter of Alpha Xi Delta in the country. Currently, Iowa Wesleyan University has 3 active Greek organizations, which include Theta Sigma Rho sorority, Zeta Psi Mu fraternity, and Omega Delta Alpha fraternity.

The P.E.O. Sisterhood was founded at Iowa Wesleyan University on January 21, 1869.

Greek organizations that have had chapters on campus include: National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) Sororities:

North American Interfraternity Conference (IFC) Fraternities

Athletics

The Iowa Wesleyan athletic teams are called the Tigers. The university is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), competing in the North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) for football, the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) for wrestling, and the Continental Athletic Conference as its primary home for all other sports as of the 2021–22 academic year.[5]

Iowa Wesleyan competes in 16 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, track & field and wrestling; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, track & field, volleyball and wrestling.

In 2015[6] and 2017,[7] the men's basketball teams qualified for the USCAA Division I national tournament.

In 2014,[8] 2015[9] and 2016,[10] the women's basketball teams qualified for the USCAA Division I national tournament. The 2016 team finished as the national runner-up.

In 2004,[11] 2005,[12] 2009[13] and 2011,[14] the men's basketball teams qualified for the NAIA Division II national tournament.

In 2006,[15] 2007,[16] 2009,[17] 2010,[18] and 2011,[19] the women's basketball teams qualified for the NAIA Division II national tournament.

In 2022,[20] the women's basketball team qualified for the NAIA single division national tournament.

In 1995,[21] the men's basketball team qualified for the NAIA Division I national tournament.

From 1989 to 1991, Hal Mumme was head football coach, with Mike Leach as his offensive coordinator. It was at Iowa Wesleyan that they developed the air raid offense.

Conference affiliations

Prior to July 2021, the Tigers were members of the following athletic organizations:

Notable alumni

References

  1. ^ a b c "Iowa Wesleyan University history". Iowa Wesleyan University marketing office. 2013. Retrieved 24 January 2014.
  2. ^ a b "Historical Sketch and Alumni Record of Iowa Wesleyan University". Mount Pleasant News-Journal. 1917. Retrieved 24 January 2014.
  3. ^ Ball, Timothy Horton, ed. (1902). Genealogical Records of the Dinwiddie Clan of Northwestern Indiana. Crown Point, IN: J. J. Wheeler. p. 80 – via Google Books.
  4. ^ Iowa Wesleyan College (1917). Historical Sketch and Alumni Record of Iowa Wesleyan College. Mt. Pleasant, IA: Mt. Pleasant News–Journal. p. 121 – via Internet Archive.
  5. ^ "IW Athletic Quick Facts". Iowa Wesleyan University. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  6. ^ "USCAA Basketball Tournament" (PDF). USCAA. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  7. ^ "USCAA Basketball Tournament" (PDF). USCAA. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  8. ^ "USCAA Basketball Tournament" (PDF). USCAA. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  9. ^ "USCAA Basketball Tournament" (PDF). USCAA. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  10. ^ "USCAA Basketball Tournament" (PDF). USCAA. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  11. ^ "DakStats WebSync". DakStats. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  12. ^ "DakStats WebSync". DakStats. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  13. ^ "DakStats WebSync". DakStats. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  14. ^ "DakStats WebSync". DakStats. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  15. ^ "DakStats WebSync". DakStats. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  16. ^ "DakStats WebSync". DakStats. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  17. ^ "DakStats WebSync". DakStats. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  18. ^ "DakStats WebSync". DakStats. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  19. ^ "DakStats WebSync". DakStats. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  20. ^ "West Breaks Two IW Records In First Round Of NAIA Tournament". iwtigers.com. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  21. ^ "1995 NAIA Division I men's basketball tournament". jonfmorse.com. Retrieved October 5, 2021.

External links

Coordinates: 40°58′21″N 91°33′08″W / 40.9725°N 91.5522°W / 40.9725; -91.5522 (Iowa Wesleyan University)

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