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1873Purchased land for school—WilmingtonConference Academy
Rev. James M. Williamsnamed President
1874Women admitted to theAcademy as day scholars
Dedicated Old Main #1
1878Dr. Robert H. Skinner named President
Began Scott Literary Society—Society eventually developed first schoollibrary
1884Dr. William L. Goodingnamed President
1890Contract awarded for construction of 22-bedroom ladies’hall (joined Mainbuilding, faced Bradford St.)
1901Dr. Elmer L. Crossnamed President
1911Dr. Henry G. Buddelected sixth principal
1899First football team organized
Photos courtesy of the Archives at Robert H. Parker Library.Special thanks to Dr. Jamie Whitman-Smitheand Dr. Jessica James for timeline contributions.
1876Four-story Old Main #1burned to the ground
A Bright Beginning
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1912New gymnasiumdedicated
1917Decision was made to change the name of Wilmington Conference Academy to Wilmington Conference Collegiate Institute
1918Principal Budd became President Budd
1873-1942
1922First junior collegecurriculum began
1924Graduated first junior college students
1932Board of Trusteesvotes unanimously to reorganize
1942Dover communityraises $7,500 to support Wesley
1941Plans made for school’s reopeningafter extensive financial restructuring
Rev. Dr. Arthur J. Jackson named President
1926Major Clarence A. Shortnamed President
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1944New medical and dentalsecretarial courses addedto curriculum
1951Dr. J. Paul Slaybaughnamed President
1957Wesley fundraisingcampaign successful
1958“Junior” droppedfrom Wesley’s name
1943Rev. Dr. Oler AmmonBartley elected President
1950Name officially changedto Wesley Junior College
Wesley Junior Collegeaccredited by MiddleStates Association ofColleges and Schools
1963New gymnasium and student centercompleted
1954College acquiresRichardson Mansionfor use kitchen/diningroom and dormitory
Board of Trusteesrequest $1.5 million ofPeninsula Conferenceto continue growth and improvements
1960Dr. Robert Parker named President
Track team added to interscholasticsports program
Wesley Players hold first performance in Little Theater of newly built Slaybaugh Hall
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A Fresh Vision
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1971Old Main razed
1974The Henry Belin duPont College Centerwas dedicated andreplaced Old Main
1975The Second Century FundCampaign surpassed itsfundraising goal andraised $1.8 million dollarsused to purchase land toexpand Wesley College
Dr. William W. Hasslernamed President
1943-1981
1977Dr. R. Jervis Cooke was inaugurated and becameWesley’s 13th president
1980Wesley introduced its third baccalaureate program;Bachelor of Science. Wesleyreceived accreditation for itsMedical Technology Program
1981The Board approves four new baccalaureate programs:the Bachelor of Science degreesin Business Administration,Medical Technology,Environmental Science, and Nursing Anesthesia
1978During Commencement,Wesley granted the baccalaureate degree to seven seniors. Theseseven seniors were thefirst Wesley students toreceive a 4-year degree
1976Wesley began offering a 4-year curriculum thatwould lead to a 4-yeardegree in BusinessAdministration in the fall
The Little Theatre inSlaybaugh Hall wasrenamed and dedicated in honor of Lewis Wells
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1992Jim and Shirley WentworthGymnasium dedicated
1993Wesley offered its first graduate program: The Masterof Science degree. This degree wasspecifically for registered nurses
1997Scott D. Miller becomesWesley College’s 15th president
1983Dr. Reed M. Stewartwas inaugurated asthe 14th president
2001Renovation of theWentworth Gymnasiumwere completed
1988Wesley purchases 4.6 acres of landnear the football field that wouldeventually become the baseball, softball, field hockey and soccer fields
1999Established a Master of BusinessAdministrationDegree and aMaster’s program in EnvironmentalScience
The student center, known asThe Underground, is dedicated
2000Wesley received a one million dollar grant to renovate Parker Library
2002Construction of the WesleyWest Field House completed
Renovations of the ParkerLibrary completed
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A Dynamic Future
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2004First Founder’s Day
Charles R. Dashiell Jr.amphitheater andGilbert ScarboroughAlumni House dedicated
2003The Honors Houseopened
First WinterCommencement
Started the newBachelor of Science in Nursing degree program
2007Wolverine Stadiumwas re-named Scott D. MillerStadium
The first Scholars Day
1983-2013
2005A new Department ofSports and Recreation was created to include athletics, intramurals/recreations, and wellness programs
The Honors program was established
Malmberg Hall was completed and opens for the first time to students
2009Wesley Societyestablished
2013Wesley’scelebrates its 140th year
2011Wesley unveilsnew brand
2008William Johnstonbecomes the 16th president of Wesley College
The Legacy Continues
2012Wesley Plazas dedicated
Wesley receives keys to Frear Federal Building
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