History, Mission & Vision

SWU History

Southern Wesleyan University was originally established in 1906 as the Wesleyan Methodist Bible Institute whose mission was to develop Christian character in its students while giving thorough intellectual training.  Now, as a four-year, private, liberal arts college, SWU’s structure and name have changed, but our mission—to be a Christian community of learners that recognizes God as the source of all truth and wisdom—has remained.

October 15, 1906.  The school is established as Wesleyan Methodist Bible Institute with three instructors.  It is one of five colleges and universities sponsored by The Wesleyan Church.

1909.  The school is chartered as Wesleyan Methodist College.

1928. The school becomes a junior college offering a four-year theological degree.

1958.  The high school academy and junior college at the institution are accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

1963.  Re-organized as a four-year liberal arts institution and named Central Wesleyan College.

1986.  The Leadership Education for Adult Professionals program—now called Adult and Graduate Studies—is established.

1995.  The college is renamed Southern Wesleyan University.

2002.  SWU begins offering master’s degree programs in business administration and in education.

SWU Mission Statement

To help men and women become all God intends them to be through an excellent learning experience that promotes intellectual inquiry, fosters spiritual growth and maturity, equips for service, and mobilizes leaders whose lives transform their world through faith, knowledge, love and hope as they serve Jesus Christ and others.

The success of the mission of the university will be measured ultimately in the lives of the alumni who grow in faith, knowledge, love and hope as they serve God and others.

SWU Vision Statement

Southern Wesleyan University aspires to be a Christ-centered institution of such character that it will be recognized regionally, nationally, and internationally for the quality and value of our educational programs.