Capital Campaign

Grounded in History…

Southern Wesleyan University was established nearly 100 years ago by founders who promised to “help men and women become what God has designed them to be.” The institution began October 15, 1906, as Wesleyan Methodist Bible Institute with three instructors. It was one of five colleges and universities sponsored by the Wesleyan Church, headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind. Then, in 1909, the school was chartered as Wesleyan Methodist College. In 1928, the school became a junior college with a four-year theological degree offering. Another milestone for the university came in 1958, when the high school academy and junior college at the institution were accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The year 1963 brought re-organization as a four-year liberal arts institution and the new name, Central Wesleyan College. The Leadership Education for Adult Professionals program, now called Adult and Graduate Studies, was established in 1986. The college was renamed as Southern Wesleyan University in 1995.

Historically, the founders of the college understood linguistic, quantitative and analytical skills to be the foundation of a liberal arts education. Further, they believed that the cultivation of this curriculum within the context of faith, worship, studies in religion and service to others created a fertile soil for intellectual and spiritual growth. Thus, the college ensured that every student would be well grounded in these areas by developing a general education curriculum of liberal arts studies. That tradition is alive today. All undergraduate programs – traditional and non-traditional – contain a core curriculum in the liberal arts.

Building on this tradition, Southern Wesleyan prepares students for graduate study and leadership in such fields as religion, education, music, business, medicine, law and a variety of civic and social service professions. Graduate programs are offered in fields in which the university has demonstrated particular strengths. Although the university serves the Southeast, the student population is a wholesome blending of cultural, ethnic and regional diversity drawn from the entire United States and the international community. Such diversity fosters broader development of values.

Today, the university has a main campus, five regional learning centers and offers 22 major areas of study for undergraduates and four graduate degrees in the areas of business and education. The mission of Southern Wesleyan University has not changed over the years, however. The university faculty and staff remain dedicated to educating students in a way that will help them realize their intellectual, social and spiritual potential.

A Vision for the Future… Back to top

A new generation of students is coming to Southern Wesleyan University, seeking God’s plan for their lives. Our university is dedicated to helping students find their way along life’s path by offering academic, social and spiritual education. Southern Wesleyan seeks a quality learning environment for offering a quality educational experience. Ephesians 2:21-22 reminds us that as we build with wood and stone, our greater mission is to build men and women who are fully committed to Christ as a dwelling place for His spirit. As we add new buildings to our university and improve existing structures, Southern Wesleyan maintains its focus on the true building mission of the university – constructing solid foundations of faith and knowledge in the hearts and minds of our students.

Southern Wesleyan has solid goals for the future:

• 4,000 students enrolled by 2010
    • 1,000 traditional students with 600 resident students
    • 3,000 adult and graduate students
• 10% growth in annual revenues
• Increasing Promise Fund (annual fund) giving to $700,000
• New academic majors
• Program and geographic expansion for adult learners

In addition to these goals, the university has many areas of need to address, as growing student populations test the limits of the university’s current building facilities. Some of the educational facilities, built many years ago, need repair and updates. In other areas, such as student housing, new buildings are needed. These needs will be addressed in a variety of ways, with a three-pronged approach to funding that combines university funds, tax-exempt municipal bonds and donor-driven funding. Forecasters predict that as many as 30 percent of all private colleges and universities will not survive this decade.

Yet those private colleges and universities that serve 1,000 or more traditional-aged students each year, as well as a large non-traditional student enrollment such as Southern Wesleyan University’s, the future is very bright indeed. This makes your investment even more vital as we face these economic challenges and the potential to serve a student body totaling 4000 or more.

“At Southern Wesleyan University, there are professors, coaches, staff, students, my friends and roommates who are constantly hungry for God, walk in obedience, are considerate of others and are willing to help you with anything and will be there for you whenever you need them. They are wonderful people who are men and women of God who have already made an impact in my life…I thank God for bringing them along to be part of my life.” -Bethani Ford, SWU student

Taking action, changing lives… Back to top

Southern Wesleyan University offers you a unique opportunity to invest in the multi-faceted education of tomorrow’s leaders. You, as a campaign donor, can have a direct impact on the fulfillment of God’s plans in students’ lives. The timing is right for growth at Southern Wesleyan and we are pleased to offer our university family a way to share in that growth. You can be assured that your investment has a direct and positive effect on the students who seek their future at Southern Wesleyan. Your investment in the future of Southern Wesleyan University will make a direct impact on the lives of students. The university, even as it grows and embraces new students, remains true to its promise: “To help men and women become the people God intended them to be, by educating them with excellence, by equipping them for service, by fostering spiritual growth and maturity, and by mobilizing them as leaders and world changers whose lives will reflect the very image and nature of Jesus Christ.”

The time is right… Back to top

As enrollment figures top 2,400, Southern Wesleyan University is proving steadily that education in a supportive, Christian environment can equip students with life skills in a way that no mass-market school can. The surging student population at Southern Wesleyan has been growing consistently during the last decade. From 1993 to 2003, enrollment increased by 1,148 students – a 175.8 percent increase. In the fall of 2003, traditional students at the university’s main campus in Central reached 617, an 11 percent increase from the previous year. Resident students on campus increased by 16 percent during the same time period.

This steady, yet impressive, trend toward growth means the university’s housing is full and chapel services, held twice weekly, are “standing room only” events. Southern Wesleyan University has been blessed with an ever-increasing student population and now must prayerfully address the institution’s infrastructural needs.

Projects: Foundations for a New Generation Back to top

Just as buildings are constructed with a variety of materials, Southern Wesleyan University’s Capital Campaign is constructed through three funding sources. When these three sources – university funds, tax-exempt municipal bonds and private donations – are assembled, the result is a $20.5 million achievement.

Stewardship Projects Back to top

These projects extend the life, usefulness and value of existing facilities and are funded by the university’s operations budget.

Correll Hall: New wall coverings, paint and office furnishings with a renovated reception area are the plans for this building, which was constructed as a library in 1946 and refurbished as administrative offices. The project completion date is April, 2004.

Utilities Infrastructure: As the university considers a growing student population, such ordinary systems as plumbing and waste-water management become critical. To allow for additional students and new buildings, one of the first priorities is to plan appropriately for utilities to support growth. First on the list of priorities is wastewater management. Another pump station and additional piping is necessary for more students and the building projects that are planned.

Growth Projects Back to top

This type of project is more immediate in nature and requires a quick response. These are funded by tax-exempt municipal bonds. These projects are revenue-producing, making them ideal for this type of funding.

New Residence Hall: This project addresses the growing student population’s need for resident housing. The new student residence hall will accommodate 200 students in suites or “hotel-style” rooms. The facility will also offer housing for summer conferences at the university. The project is scheduled to be complete by the 2005-2006 school year.

Dining Hall/Student Center: This project will include construction of a new two-story dining hall adjacent to the Jennings Campus Life Center. It will include new kitchen and preparation space, seat 500 students and also be able to accommodate 500 guests in a flexible-layout banquet hall. The Jennings Campus Life Center, which includes the Newton Dining Commons, the Snack Bar, the Bookstore and the Post Office, will be redesigned. The project is planned for completion for the 2005-2006 school year.

Folger Renovation: Improvements include converting the building for use as a lecture hall and classroom building and renovating the main entrance with an improved lobby and exterior.

“In some respects, our teaching of science hasn’t changed. Although the faculty doesn’t agree on all the details, we believe and teach that God was personally involved in the beginning of the universe and the beginning of humans. We are not here, in a world with no purpose or meaning, by chance alone. We reverence the Bible, and do our best to integrate what it says, and what it implies, into our teaching of science, math and computing.” - Dr. Martin LaBar, SWU science professor

Vision Projects Back to top

These projects reflect the long-term goals of the institution and extend beyond the current demands of growth and change. These are destination-oriented projects and require major capital investment. Such projects are donor-funded.

Chapel/Fine Arts Building: This new structure will serve as the university’s chapel for regular chapel gatherings and other major events. The building will be located adjacent to the Central First Wesleyan Church on Wesleyan Drive. It will be a three-story building with approximately 14,000 square feet on each floor. The top, main floor will feature an auditorium with seating for 1,000, as well as a lobby, a sound booth, a stage and access to a future balcony. The lower floor will contain space for vocal and instrumental music, including practice rooms, rehearsal rooms, faculty studio offices, a recording studio, instrument storage, vocal and instrumental music libraries, and more. The middle floor will remain available for expansion of the Fine Arts Department. The proposed completion date is fall of 2004 or spring of 2005.

University Center: This facility will support growth in both the athletic and recreational needs of the students, and provide a venue for community events. The structure will be located on the northwest corner of Clayton and Wesleyan Drive. It will include adjacent outdoor athletic fields. It is a 42,625-square-foot building with seating for 1,500 spectators in the bleachers and seating for 2,500 for special events. The University Center includes a 1 ½ regulation basketball floor and volleyball playing surface, a four-lane indoor track, a fitness center, locker rooms, faculty and coaching offices, classroom space and lobby, ticket booth and restroom facilities.

Columbia Regional Building: As the Adult and Graduate Studies program continues to grow, it may be wise to direct current lease payments for rented space to equity investments in university-owned facilities. This move will help promote a sense of permanence and visibility in the regional markets where adult students attend Southern Wesleyan University. Plans are being developed to procure a building in the Columbia area as the first step in this direction.

Center for Teaching Excellence: This project includes programs that provide leadership, resources and opportunities for teachers and school districts in South Carolina. The center will provide programs to improve teaching and learning skills for classroom teachers, training programs for parents engaged in home schooling, training for Southern Wesleyan’s adjunct and teaching faculty and consulting services for educators and educational institutions that seek to improve teaching effectiveness.

Campus Landmarks: As the university grows, the addition of new features, including fountains, landmarks and gardens, are considered essential to the enhancement of the campus. Some proposed facets of this project include fountain renovation and engraved paving stones at Heritage Square, a bell tower to house a campus carillon system and provide a gathering place, statuary of historic or religious significance and an outdoor amphitheatre to provide a stage and seating for outdoor performances.

General Endowment: The financial health of the university will be greatly enhanced by enlarging and strengthening the general endowment. This campaign seeks to provide additional endowment funds from estate and deferred gifts for general and specific purposes. Earnings from this endowment will help assure the financial stability of the university.

Capital Campaign structure Back to top

The strength of Southern Wesleyan University’s $20.5 million campaign is the power of volunteer leadership. Generating momentum for this campaign are men and women committed to building a solid foundation for future generations.

The campaign begins with an initial Quiet Phase, during which the campaign becomes organized and Southern Wesleyan’s board of trustees, leadership, faculty and staff are committed to the project. The campaign’s Public Phase start date is May of 2004.

The campaign has three separate funding sources for achieving its total $20.5 million goal – university funding, a tax-exempt municipal bond issue and donor-driven funding. The projects targeted for completion through the capital campaign are divided by funding source. University funding will pay for stewardship projects: the Correll Administration Building project and Utilities Infrastructure. The tax-exempt municipal bond issue will pay for growth projects: the New Residence Hall, the Dining Hall/Student Center and the Folger Renovation. Donor-driven funding will be used for vision projects: a Chapel/Fine Arts Building, the University Center, the Columbia Regional Building, the Center for Teaching Excellence, Campus Landmarks and the General Endowment.

Why invest? Back to top

Southern Wesleyan University has an immediate, real-life calling for you. You, as a campaign investor, can have a direct impact on the fulfillment of God’s plans in the lives of students. Your investment has a direct and positive effect on future leaders who seek academic, social and spiritual growth at Southern Wesleyan. As enrollment skyrockets throughout the state, Southern Wesleyan continues to prove that education in a supportive, Christian environment equips men and women to reach the potential God has intended for them. As students overflow the space available in classrooms, dorm rooms and at special events, Southern Wesleyan University’s friends and family members can be thankful for the opportunity to invest in the institution in a way that builds not only new facilities for students, but builds opportunities for students’ life achievements.

How you can make an impact Back to to

“Having a Christian perspective at SWU gives you more motivation to succeed in all things.” -Diego Vacca, SWU student

We strive to make it easy and convenient for you to invest in Southern Wesleyan University. Commitments can be made over the three-year campaign period. Your support can come in one of many forms, from cash to real estate, and from securities to estate gifts. Contact us today to discuss the most convenient method for you to make a difference in the future of Southern Wesleyan University.

How to receive more information Back to top

Phone: Rev. Jim Wiggins, Vice President for Development, (864) 644-5013
Web: www.swu.edu
E-mail:jwiggins@swu.edu
Mail: Rev. Jim Wiggins, Vice President for Development
Southern Wesleyan University
PO Box 1020, SWU Box 1925
Central, SC 29630-1020