Roberts Wesleyan University

Roberts Wesleyan University
Former names	Chili Seminary (1866–1885); A.M. Chesbrough Seminary (1885–1945); Roberts Junior College (1945–1949); Roberts Wesleyan College (1949–2022)
Motto	Education for Character
Type	Private university
Established	1866; 158 years ago
Religious affiliation	Free Methodist Church
Academic affiliations	CIC; NAICU; CCCU
Endowment	$33.9 million (2020)
President	Rupert A. Hayles, Jr.
Students	1,621
Location	Chili, New York (state), United States
Campus	Suburban
Colors	Red, white, and black
Nickname	Redhawks
Sporting affiliations	NCAA Division II – ECC
Mascot	Reggie the Redhawk
Website	www.roberts.edu

Roberts Wesleyan University is a private Christian university in Chili, New York anchored in the liberal arts. It was the first educational institution established for Free Methodists in North America. Roberts is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Roberts Wesleyan enrolled 1621 students in the fall of 2023 in undergraduate, graduate, adult degree completion and doctoral programs. It offers over 100 programs.

History

Roberts Wesleyan University was originally established as Chili Seminary by Benjamin Titus Roberts in 1866. Roberts was a social activist who opposed slavery and oppression of the poor, and was a supporter of women's right to vote. He began the school to train young people to become servant leaders with high moral character. Having first used a local tavern as a school, in 1869 a three-story brick building was erected. There were 56 students total that year.^[5]

In 1885, its name changed to Chesbrough Seminary in response to the $30,000 gift of benefactor A.M. Chesbrough.

In the fall of 1892 both Cox Hall and Roberts Hall were completed.^[6] Cox Hall was used as both class rooms and administration,^[6] and now houses the Department of Music and Performing Arts. The first public event held in Cox Hall was founder B.T. Roberts' funeral in 1893. Students laid a sidewalk between Cox and Roberts Hall in 1929.^[7]

Carpenter Hall was opened in 1935. It was named for Adella P. Carpenter who had taught at the school from 1877 to 1916.^[6] Carpenter Hall has housed many important pieces of the campus, including the dining hall, library, and dorms. The building currently houses the Art, Social Work, and Psychology Departments.

In 1945, it was renamed Roberts Junior College in honor of B.T. Roberts, the founder of both the college and the Free Methodist Church. Four years later, it was renamed as Roberts Wesleyan College to indicate the transition to a four-year baccalaureate institution and to root itself clearly within the Wesleyan theological tradition.

In 1998, Northeastern Seminary was established as Roberts' graduate school of theology.^[8]

On September 13, 2022, it was renamed Roberts Wesleyan University after applying to the New York State Education Department and the Board of Regents.^[9]

On January 26, 2023, it was announced that the 11th president Deana Porterfield would conclude her work in June, and will move on to assume the role of president at Seattle Pacific University later in 2023. In June 2023, Porterfield was succeeded by Rupert A. Hayles Jr., who will start on July 1, 2024.^[4]

Athletics

The Roberts Wesleyan athletic teams are called the Redhawks. Roberts is a member of the NCAA Division II ranks, primarily competing in the East Coast Conference (ECC) since the 2012–13 academic year. They are also a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA), primarily competing as an independent in the Midwest Region at the Division I level. The Redhawks previously competed in the defunct American Mideast Conference of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) from 2001–02 to 2011–12 (when the conference dissolved).

Roberts Wesleyan competes in 19 intercollegiate varsity sports. Men's sports include basketball, cross country, lacrosse, soccer, swimming & diving, volleyball and track & field (indoor and outdoor); women's sports include basketball, bowling, cross country, lacrosse, soccer, swimming & diving, track & field (indoor and outdoor) and volleyball. Four sports will be added in 2023–24: women's field hockey and triathlon, men's volleyball, and the coeducational and non-NCAA esports.

Move to Division II

In July 2011, Roberts was accepted into the NCAA Division II reclassification process from the NAIA to the NCAA.^[10] Roberts became a full member of NCAA Division II for the 2014–15 academic year.^[10] Roberts Wesleyan University is the first NCAA Division II school in the Greater Rochester Region.

Notable alumni

Kirk Wagar (class of 1990), United States Ambassador to the Republic of Singapore^[11]
John Walsh (class of 1990), President of the Conservative Party of Canada
Jennifer Suhr (class of 2004),^[12] Pole Vaulter, 2012 Olympic Gold Medalist, 2008 Olympic Silver Medalist, 2013 Women's Pole Vault Champion – USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, holder of the indoor women's pole vault world record, American women's pole vault record, holder of 15 National Titles.
Timothy Bellavia (class of 1992), children's author / illustrator and professor, Touro College
Richard Goddard, Goalkeeper, Vancouver Whitecaps
Juan Pablo Galavis (class of 2001), Former professional soccer player and contestant on The Bachelor
Sharon Sweet (class of 1974), Opera Singer, Metropolitan Opera Company & Vocal Professor, Westminster Choir College.
Daniel Bennett (class of 2002), Award-winning Manhattan-based jazz bandleader and composer^[13]
Jesus Paesch (class of 2012), Former professional soccer player
Brian Kolb (class of 1996 & 1998), Former Minority Leader of the New York State Assembly
Malcolm Shaw (soccer) (class of 2017), Canadian professional soccer player, forward
Michael Cunningham (soccer) (class of 2014), English professional soccer player, forward