History
The school was founded in 1906 as a result of a prayer meeting in a field that is now part of the main campus. Representatives of Wesleyan Methodist churches in South Carolina and surrounding states met at Central to consider the possibility of establishing a college. Classes at the university began on October 15, 1906. Initially known as the Wesleyan Methodist Bible Institute (1906–1908), subsequent names included Wesleyan Methodist College (1909–1959) and Central Wesleyan College (1959–1994). The school was renamed Southern Wesleyan University in 1994.
A campus fixture for nearly 60 years, Smith Hall was the first building constructed on College Hill. When it opened in 1906, it housed the chapel, six classrooms, administrative space and a small library collection. In 1916, construction was completed on Grimes Hall, which became the central campus landmark until the early 1970s. The building served classroom and administrative purposes, as well as chapel, library and dining hall at times. Since then the campus has expanded to nearly 20 buildings over 250 acres (101 ha).
For a number of years the college operated was a two-year junior college, except for the four-year theological program. For many years elementary and secondary school classes were offered as well. In the late 1950s, the pre-college programs were phased out, and the college moved to a full four-year program. The junior college program had previously received accreditation, but Central Wesleyan College (as the school was then called) was accredited to award bachelor's degrees in 1973. The university is now accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate's, bachelor's and master's degrees.
In addition to the traditional program, in 1986 a nontraditional program for working adults was added. Initially known as Leadership Education for Adult Professionals (LEAP), the program has now expanded to several degree programs operating under the title of Adult and Graduate Studies (AGS). The initial LEAP program offered a bachelor's degree in management. An associate's degree in business began in 1988. Master's degree programs in Christian Ministries and Management were added in 1990. Master's programs in Business Administration and Education began in 2002.
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