Roberts Wesleyan University

Methodist institute of higher education in Chili, New York

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 [1]
Type| Private university
Established| 1866; 159 years ago (1866)

Religious affiliation

| Free Methodist Church

Academic affiliations

| CIC
NAICU[2]
CCCU
Endowment| $40.4 million (2023)[3]
President| Rupert A. Hayles Jr.[4]
Students| 1,746
Location|

North Chili

New York

United States

Campus| Suburban
Colors|
Red and black
Nickname| Redhawks

Sporting affiliations

| NCAA Division II – ECC
Mascot| Reggie the Redhawk
Website| roberts.edu

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

## History

[edit]

Benjamin Roberts, founder

Roberts Wesleyan University was originally established as "Chili Seminary" by Benjamin Titus Roberts in 1866. Roberts was an American Methodist bishop, 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.

Chesbrough Seminary c. 1910

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]

The 12th president of Roberts Wesleyan University is Rupert A. Hayles Jr., who started on July 1, 2023.[4]

## Athletics

[edit]

Roberts Redhawks wordmark

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 were added in 2023–24: women's field hockey and triathlon, men's volleyball, and the coeducational and non-NCAA esports. The Women's Flag Football program will begin competition in Spring 2026.

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

[edit]

* 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

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Office of the President". www.roberts.edu. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
2. ^ "NAICU - Membership". Archived from the original on November 9, 2015. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
3. ^ As of June 30, 2020. U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2020 Endowment Market Value and Change in Endowment Market Value from FY19 to FY20 (Report). National Association of College and University Business Officers and TIAA. February 19, 2021. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
4. ^ a b As of June 16, 2023. Roberts Wesleyan University and Northeastern Seminary Name Dr. Rupert A. Hayles Jr. Next President (Report). June 16, 2023. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
5. ^ Chesbronian 1942, Students of 1942. Chesbrough Seminary. 1942. pp. 58.
6. ^ a b c Chesbronian 1942, Students of 1942. Chesbrough Seminary. 1942. pp. 60, 62–63.
7. ^ Chesbronian 1942, Students of 1942. Chesbrough Seminary. 1942. pp. 61.
8. ^ "Northeastern Seminary | Theological Seminary | Ministry Education". www.nes.edu. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
9. ^ "Roberts Wesleyan College Becomes Roberts Wesleyan University". Retrieved September 13, 2022.
10. ^ a b Bradley, Steve (July 13, 2011). "Roberts Wesleyan moving up to Division II athletics". Democrat and Chronicle. Retrieved July 13, 2011.
11. ^ "Ambassador | Embassy of the United States Singapore". August 21, 2014. Archived from the original on August 21, 2014. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
12. ^ "Jenn Suhr '04 Sets World Indoor Pole Vault Record". Roberts Wesleyan University. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
13. ^ "Daniel Bennett brings 'Brian Wilson jazz' back home". Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. Retrieved May 21, 2019.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Roberts Wesleyan University.

* Official website
* Athletics website

* v
* t
* e

East Coast Conference

Full members|

* Daemen Wildcats
* District of Columbia Firebirds
* D'Youville Saints
* Mercy Mavericks
* Molloy Lions
* Queens Knights
* Roberts Wesleyan Redhawks
* St. Thomas Aquinas Spartans
* Staten Island Dolphins

Affiliate members|

* Adelphi Panthers1
* Bryant Bulldogs1
* Kutztown Golden Bears1
* Saint Anselm Hawks1
* Georgian Court Lions2
* Holy Family Tigers2
* Frostburg State Bobcats3
* American International Yellow Jackets4
* Dominican Chargers4

* 1bowling
* 2track and field
* 3lacrosse (m)
* 4volleyball(m)
* 5bowling, lacrosse (m)
* 6lacrosse (m/w)

* v
* t
* e

Rochester Area Colleges

* Alfred State College
* Alfred University
* Finger Lakes Community College
* Genesee Community College
* Houghton University
* Keuka College
* Monroe Community College
* Nazareth University
* Roberts Wesleyan University
* Rochester Institute of Technology
* St. John Fisher University
* SUNY Brockport
* SUNY Geneseo
* University of Rochester

* v
* t
* e

Members of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities

Governing Members|

* Abilene Christian
* Ambrose
* Anderson (Indiana)
* Anderson (South Carolina)
* Asbury
* Azusa Pacific
* Belhaven
* Bethel (Indiana)
* Bethel (Minnesota)
* Bethany
* Biola
* Bluefield
* Bushnell
* California Baptist
* Calvin
* Campbellsville
* Central Baptist
* Central Christian
* Charleston Southern
* Colorado Christian
* Concordia-Ann Arbor
* Concordia–Chicago
* Concordia–Irvine
* Concordia–Nebraska
* Concordia-Wisconsin
* Corban
* Cornerstone
* Covenant
* Crown
* Dallas Baptist
* Dordt
* East Texas Baptist
* Eastern Nazarene
* Emmanuel
* Erskine
* Evangel
* Faulkner
* Fresno Pacific
* Geneva
* George Fox
* Gordon
* Grace
* Greenville
* Hannibal–LaGrange
* Hardin–Simmons
* Harding
* Hope International
* Houghton
* Houston Christian
* Howard Payne
* Huntington
* Indiana Wesleyan
* Jessup
* John Brown
* Judson (Illinois)
* Kentucky Christian
* King
* Lee
* LeTourneau
* Lipscomb
* Malone
* Messiah
* Mid-America Christian
* MidAmerica Nazarene
* Milligan
* Mississippi
* Missouri Baptist
* Montreat
* Mount Vernon Nazarene
* Multnomah
* North Central
* North Park
* Northwest Nazarene
* Northwest
* Northwestern (Iowa)
* Oklahoma Baptist
* Oklahoma Christian
* Olivet Nazarene
* Oral Roberts
* Ouachita
* Palm Beach Atlantic
* Point
* Point Loma Nazarene
* Redeemer
* Regent
* Roberts Wesleyan
* San Diego Christian
* Simpson
* Southeastern
* Southern Adventist
* Southern Nazarene
* Southern Wesleyan
* Southwest Baptist
* Spring Arbor
* Sterling
* Tabor
* Taylor
* Toccoa Falls
* Trevecca Nazarene
* Trinity Christian
* Trinity International
* Trinity Western
* Mary Hardin–Baylor
* Northwestern – St. Paul (UNWSP)
* Southwest
* Vanguard
* Walla Walla
* Warner
* Wayland Baptist
* Westmont
* Wheaton
* Wisconsin Lutheran
* York (Nebraska)

Associate Members|

* Arizona Christian
* Asbury Theological Seminary
* Briercrest
* Cairn
* Columbia International
* Crandall
* Dallas Theological Seminary
* Denver Seminary
* Fuller Theological Seminary
* Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
* Johnson
* Kuyper
* Life Pacific
* Lincoln Christian
* Martin Luther
* McMaster Divinity
* Mid-Atlantic Christian
* Moody
* Ohio Christian
* Ozark Christian
* Prairie
* Providence
* Southwestern Christian
* King's (New York)
* King's (Texas)
* Tyndale
* Valley Forge

* v
* t
* e

NCCAA Division I - Midwest

* Cairn Highlanders
* Cedarville Yellow Jackets
* Concordia–Ann Arbor Cardinals
* Geneva Golden Tornadoes
* Grace Lancers
* Houghton Highlanders
* Huntington Foresters
* Lancaster Bible Chargers
* Malone Pioneers
* Ohio Christian Trailblazers
* Redeemer Royals
* Roberts Wesleyan Redhawks

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI
* VIAF

National|

* United States
* Israel

43°07′33″N 77°47′55″W﻿ / ﻿43.125743°N 77.798530°W﻿ / 43.125743; -77.798530
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template