MISSION STATEMENT
Wiley University is a premier liberal arts institution, with the United Methodist Church, with an intentional focus on social good and leadership.
VISION STATEMENT
Wiley University is a nationally recognized liberal arts university serving as a beacon of light inspiring individuals to serves as catalysts of social change in their community and professions.
HISTORY OF WILEY UNIVERSITY
In 1873, less than eight years after all hostilities were quieted from the Civil War, the Freedman’s Aid Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church founded Wiley University near Marshall, Texas for the purpose of allowing Negro youth the opportunity to pursue higher learning in the arts, sciences and other professions.
Named in honor of Bishop Isaac T. Wiley, an outstanding minister, medical missionary and educator, Wiley University was founded during turbulent times for Blacks in America. Although African American males were given the right to vote in 1870, intimidation of America’s newest citizens in the form of violence increased. The U.S. Supreme Court helped pave the way for segregation with the 1896 Plessy v. Ferguson decision that approved of the “separate but equal” doctrine.
Bishop Wiley was born in Lewistown, Pennsylvania, on March 29, 1825. He became interested in the Christian ministry as a boy, joining the church at 14 years of age and became active in missionary work. At 18, he was authorized to preach under ministerial direction. Due to difficulties with his voice, he studied medicine and upon graduation from medical school became a medical and educational missionary in China. Wiley was elected bishop in 1864 and organized a Methodist conference in Japan. Bishop Wiley died on November 22, 1884 in his beloved China.
Wiley University opened its doors just south of Marshall with two frame buildings and an overwhelming desire to succeed in a climate fraught with racism and Jim Crow laws. So entrenched was their desire to succeed that in 1880, rather than moving Wiley University farther out of town, the founders of the University moved nearer to Marshall on 55 acres of wooded land where the University stands today. Land was cleared and four additional buildings were constructed as student enrollment soared to 160 students with seven full-time faculty members. Wiley University had effectively become the first Black University west of the Mississippi River.
Among the visionaries of that era were presidents revered in Wiley University history. Individuals who persevered in a climate of hatred in the South and in the face of great personal sacrifice were Wiley’s first presidents: Rev. F. C. Moore (1873-1876), Rev. W. H. Davis (1876-1885), Rev. N. D. Clifford (1885- 1888), Rev. Dr. George Whitaker (1888-1889), and Rev. Dr. P. A. Pool (1889-1893). It was their strength of character in the face of hardship and acrimony that forged the early foundations of this bastion of academic excellence. Their labors were rewarded in 1888 when the first graduate of Wiley University (for so it was called at the time) was awarded the Bachelor of Arts degree. Mr. H.B. Pemberton would lead the way for generations of Wiley University graduates to come.
Reverend Isaiah B. Scott (1893-1896) was appointed as the sixth president of Wiley University in 1893. His appointment was significant because he was the first Negro president of Wiley. The Freedman’s Aid Society departed from its traditional administration of the school and boldly placed Reverend Scott in the lead role for the fledgling school. Twenty- three years had passed since the founding of Wiley University when Reverend Scott retired in 1896. Two years later, the General Conference of 1896 elected Dr. Scott to the editorship of the Southwestern Christian Advocate. A new generation of students then greeted a new president of the University.
Matthew Winfred Dogan, Sr. (1896-1942) was to become the most prolific and the longest-sitting president to grace the halls of Wiley University. The seventh president took office at the age of 33 and was to become the “backbone and strength of Wiley.” During his 46-year administration of Wiley University, many changes occurred on the campus and in the United States as a whole. At a time in history when the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the National Urban League were established to reinvigorate the old abolitionist struggle to achieve complete emancipation and full citizenship for Black Americans, Wiley University was building and expanding.
In 1906, the University boasted eleven buildings on campus. The first brick building constructed on campus under the Dogan administration was the central building. It was built of bricks made on campus and was constructed by students. Subsequent campus buildings were constructed around this main building and housed programs in mechanics, printing, tailoring, broom making, woodworking and industrial programs. Among the eleven buildings was the King Industrial Home for Girls bringing the important study of home economics to Wiley.
Dogan’s dream was to expand for the future and indeed Wiley University expanded as building after building was erected for more specialized programs. However, 1906 also brought tragedy to Wiley University as five buildings were destroyed by fire, including the main central building. Although the buildings were in ashes, the foundations remained strong and in 1907, buildings of greater magnitude began to take shape on the campus. Noted philanthropist, Andrew Carnegie, made possible the construction of the Carnegie Library that was erected in 1907.
In 1915, floods, cotton crop failures, and a reactivated Ku Klux Klan motivated Southern rural Blacks to migrate to the North in search of employment opportunities in the expanding military industry. Within a year and a half, 350,000 African Americans had moved from Southern farms to the factories of Northern cities. However, Wiley University was continuing to expand. Coe Hall, named for former teacher, Mrs. Isabel Coe, was built to serve as the men’s dormitory. Coe’s father had donated the sum of $5,000 to the University. Thirkield Hall, a magnificent three-story structure built with the grandeur befitting an institution of higher learning, was erected in 1918 and named for Bishop Wilbur P. Thirkield, a close friend of the University and former president of Howard University.
The Daniel Adams Brainard Chapel was erected in 1924 with a capacity for 800 students. The Chapel was equipped with a pipe organ that was one-of-a-kind among similar sized colleges of the time. In 1925, Dogan Hall was built to accommodate women in dormitories. Dogan Hall was a truly lavish residence hall in its day. The Refectory was also erected during this time period as a dining hall for students and a place for extra-curricular activities. Truly a pioneer in the educational arena, Wiley University took the leadership role in reorganizing Black schools of higher education and in 1929, renamed itself Wiley University, dropping the use of the word “University.” It was at this time the high school and trade school were discontinued. Wiley University was recognized in 1933 as an “A” class college by the Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools of the southern states. This marked the first time any Black school had ever been rated by the same agency and standards as other universities.
Wiley University was a leader in planting the seeds of the first social organizations in the Southwest. These fraternities and sororities nurtured the cohesiveness of Black college students. The Beta Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. was formed on the Wiley campus in 1915, the second chapter founded in the United States. The Theta Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. was formed in 1922 and the Theta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. was formed in 1923. Other social organizations included the Phi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in 1924, the Alpha Sigma Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. in 1925, the Alpha Iota Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. in 1930 and the Alpha Chi Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc. in 1935.
During these years, the automobile was not widely used by many students and their families; thus, the nation’s rail system was the preferred, and sometimes the only means of travel to Wiley. Coaches with special connections from Dallas, Houston, Shreveport and Beaumont carried students to Marshall, Texas and Wiley University on the “Wiley Express.”
At a time when Jesse Owens was thundering to an unprecedented four gold medals in the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, Wiley University was introducing football to Black colleges and was a leader in forming the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), still in existence today. Wiley University won many national championships in football and basketball, having more championship athletic teams than all its opponents of the SWAC combined.
This drive for excellence extended beyond the football fields and the basketball courts and spilled over into the academic arenas with a debating championship in 1935 and notable accomplishments in the field of dramatic competitions. Wiley University was the first of its kind in the region to adopt an honor roll system for outstanding students. Wiley University was the leader that other Black colleges and universities eagerly followed.
Music has always played an integral part in Black history, and this was also true in the history of Wiley University. The Wiley University band was a first during this period. In the 1930s, Duke Ellington wrote “It Don’t Mean a Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing” and George Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess debuted before record crowds in New York. At the same time, the Wiley University music department was making some noise of its own, proudly becoming second to none among similar colleges in the region. The Wiley Quartet sang for stage and radio during this time period, and the Glee Club, band, orchestra, and choir were all well equipped with instruments and talent.
The General Education Board of The Methodist Church provided funding in 1935 to refurnish and redecorate the Carnegie Library. The University accepted the gift and a challenge from the Board to match dollar-for-dollar a $3,000 proposed endowment. The Endowment Drive was completed in 1938, and the University endowment grew to $6,000 (equivalent to over $200,000 in today’s value).
With the arrival of the ’40s, the era of Dr. Matthew Dogan, the seventh and only president since the turn of the century, was coming to a close. Dogan’s tenure had been marked with struggles and successes, expansion and growth. It was a very different student that walked the halls of Wiley University in the 1940s. Students appeared younger and bolder. Styles and fashions took on a new look. Soon, the world would change once again with the coming of war to the United States. A new day was on the horizon, and in 1942, President Dogan retired as the president of Wiley University.
World War II began for the United States on December 7, 1941, with the Japanese sneak attack on Pearl Harbor. As President Franklin Roosevelt was addressing Congress on the proposition of war, Wiley University President, Dr. Matthew Dogan, was preparing to relinquish the reins of authority to Dr. E.C. McLeod, Wiley’s eighth president (1942-1948). While college enrollment took a back seat to the draft, Dr. McLeod never backed down from the vision established by the previous administration to build and expand “Dear Wiley”: thus, a five-year building plan was unveiled.
Wiley University served the defense effort well with the establishment of the Wiley Coll Committee on Community Service and National Defense. The Committee coordinated its efforts with the country’s national defense resources through an expansion of its summer program. Many Wileyites seized this opportunity and trained for community health improvement with the aid of this national program.
Addressing the demands of the market, homemaking education was added to the curriculum, and a new facility complete with lecture rooms, laboratories, and mock dining and lodging facilities was established in 1942. A new athletic stadium was constructed, and improvements were made to the athletic fields. McLeod Hall was constructed as a men’s residence hall to accommodate the veterans returning from the war. Many young men took advantage of the educational opportunities afforded them through their G.I. Benefits package. This was the most expansive record of enrollment in Wiley University history.
During McLeod’s administration, the University joined the United Negro College Fund in 1944 as a charter member. This brought new resources to the University for expanding programs and building projects. Wiley University enjoys the distinction of having won the title of “Miss UNCF” for three consecutive terms, being the only university of the era to receive this stellar national honor.
With the retirement of Dr. McLeod in 1948, Wiley University changed leadership. The ninth president of Wiley University was Dr. Julius S. Scott, Sr. (1948-1958). He had worked at the University in various capacities over the years and brought a true “Wiley Spirit” to the presidency. Under his leadership, the Alumni Gymnasium was completed. The new gym was a project initiated by the Wiley University National Alumni Association and was funded through gifts from alumni and grants from the federal government. The gymnasium was more than a new structure on campus. It was a monument to the struggles and the successes of its former students and graduates of the University.
Wiley University students were getting their first taste of rock-n-roll in 1954 listening to the sounds of recording artists like Fats Domino, Chuck Berry, and Little Richard. During this period, Smith-Nooks Hall of Music was built and dedicated and shortly thereafter, in 1958, Dr. Scott retired from the presidency.
Dr. Thomas Winston Cole, Sr. (1958-1971) was selected as the tenth president to lead Wiley University in 1958. He was a 1934 graduate of Wiley University and the first layman to hold the position. His visionary goal was to build on the great traditions established by his predecessors. In 1960, Wiley University was admitted to full membership in the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools (SACS). In addition, a new building program was established, including a complete renovation of the Refectory together with its transformation into a modernized dining facility. Dr. Cole was instrumental in refurbishing and remodeling many facilities on campus including the Aaron Baker Science Building, the T.W. Cole Library , and the Fred T. Long Student Union Building. He had the streets paved, new sidewalks installed, and created new parking facilities for students, faculty, and staff. It was also during this period that the annex for Dogan Hall was completed to house the senior females on campus. Dr. Cole served Wiley University well from 1958-1971.
The eleventh president of Wiley University was also an alumnus of the University, Dr. Robert E. Hayes, Sr. (1971-1986). His administration continued to advance the University. During his presidency, the University experienced continued growth and development. A new men’s dormitory was constructed to accommodate increasing enrollment. The fledgling KBWC, Wiley University radio station, received licensing approval by the Federal Communications Commission. The A Cappella Choir resumed its annual spring concert tour of the mid-west and the number of faculty members holding earned doctorate degrees increased to 41 percent. Dr. Hayes was also instrumental in raising over a million dollars through speaking engagements and gifts from individuals. Dr. Hayes served his alma mater from 1971 until his retirement in June of 1986. Between 1986 and 1987, Dr. E.W. Rand, and Dr. David R. Houston served successively as interim presidents of the University.
The Wiley University Board of Trustees elected Dr. David L. Beckley (1987-1993) as the twelfth president of the institution in 1987. Under his leadership, the University improved its fiscal management practices, retired outstanding federal bonds on several campus buildings and facilities, retired federal debts and loans, increased the endowment fund and increased the number of faculty members holding terminal degrees. Also, during the Beckley administration, the University was reorganized into five academic divisions: Basic Studies; Business and Social Sciences; Education and Physical Education; Humanities and Natural Sciences and Mathematics. These programs helped prepare students for careers in their major discipline as well as making available to them the opportunity to pursue graduate work.
Dr. Lamore J. Carter (1993-1996) was named the thirteenth president of Wiley University by the Board of Trustees in 1993. Under his administration, significant accomplishments included the reaffirmation of accreditation by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). The renovation of significant portions of the Wiley- Pemberton Complex was completed through the acquisition of several grants from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Dr. Carter continued the initiative to increase the number of Ph.D.s on the faculty and brought about outstanding improvements in the educational programs via a Fulbright Faculty Seminar in Thailand in 1994.
In 1996, Dr. Julius S. Scott, Jr. (1996-1998), a 1945 graduate of Wiley University, became the fourteenth president and chief executive officer of the institution. Dr. Scott’s administration was marked by focused planning, fiscal stability, and a “seize the day” philosophical ideal. He is credited with enhancing the academic experiences of students, increasing enrollment, improving the living/learning facilities, and improving the overall academic standards of the institution.
Dr. Ronald L. Swain (1998-2000) became Wiley’s fifteenth president in 1998. Under his leadership, a College-wide strategic planning initiative was launched. Equally important, the University increased its technological capabilities by extending computer usage throughout the campus, providing laptop computers to each student. Improvements to the information systems were initiated that eventually led to increased network, Internet and computing capabilities and resources for the library.
In 2000, Dr. Haywood L. Strickland (2000-2018) was named the sixteenth president. His initial administrative theme was “Achieving Excellence through Pride and Performance.” During his first year of service, he exemplified this theme in achievements by beginning the construction of the $2.4 million Julius S. Scott, Sr. Chapel on September 11, 2001, a day that is etched in the memories of all Americans. As the New York “twin towers” were falling, the Julius S. Scott, Sr. Chapel was rising. This edifice is now a center for worship and a gathering place for educational and spiritual enrichment for the Wiley University family and will be for generations to come. Dr. Strickland was responsible for renovating and refurbishing every campus facility; spearheading the expansion of the physical plant to include a fourth residence hall-- the J. Jack Ingram Residence Hall; substantially improved science laboratory facilities and secured record amounts in private gifts, as well as increased external funding for sponsored programs. Under Dr. Strickland’s administration, the University had its accreditation re-affirmed to the year 2013. The University garnered rare, international visibility on December 25, 2007, with the release of the movie, The Great Debaters, directed by Mr. Denzel Washington and produced by HARPO Productions and the Weinstein Company. This major motion picture captured the fame and notoriety of Professor Melvin B. Tolson and the intellectual legacy of four former students -- Hobart Jarrett, Henry Heights, James Farmer, Jr. and Henrietta Bell (Wells). It was their 1935 victory over that year’s National Champions that was the subject of the movie, The Great Debaters, which also won national acclaim. Under President Strickland’s leadership, the University received a one-million-dollar gift from Mr. Denzel Washington to revive the school’s debate team which was subsequently named in honor of both Professor Tolson and Mr. Denzel Washington.
President Strickland began the second decade of his presidential leadership in 2010 by declaring it the era of transformation, a period that was launched by the record-breaking enrollment of approximately 1,400 students and the May 2011 groundbreaking ceremony for a new 500-bed living-learning center. The construction of this facility brought the number of residence centers to five and enables the University to meet the increasing demand for campus housing. The new living-learning center is just one of several improvement projects made possible by a $24 million loan through the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Capital Financing Project, a program sponsored by the US Department of Education. In addition, these resources also made it possible to expand the Fred T. Long Student Union Building by adding an additional 6,000 square feet to the former dining area to accommodate at least 700 students at each meal. Other capital improvement projects launched during the Strickland administration included improvements to the Wiley-Pemberton Complex, the repair of roads and parking venues, and the conversion of traditional classrooms to “smart classrooms” campus-wide. These initiatives were designed to transform the culture and climate of the University to cement its increasingly recognized and acknowledged status as a world-class institution of higher learning.
Under the 16th President’s administration, the University had its accreditation re-affirmed unconditionally to 2023. The University received commendations by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) site visit team in October 2012 for having designed an innovative and exceptional Quality Enhancement Plan, Communicate through Debate, which institutionalizes debate education across the curriculum. This plan was cited by the site visit team as “having the potential to transform Wiley University and, in general, higher education throughout the nation.” In addition, in June 2012, the institution received specialized accreditation of its business programs by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
In 2018, Herman J. Felton, Jr., Ph.D., J.D. (2018 – present), who has an intentional focus on social good and leadership, became the 17th President and Chief Executive Officer of Wiley University. Since his arrival, the revitalization of the campus with emphasis on re-branding of the institution through a new website, technology infrastructure, campus beautification, and numerous renovations have occurred on the campus to improve structural facilities and technology access. The Thomas W. Cole Sr. Library was renovated to serve and respond to a tech-savvy, research-focused scholar, enrollment in online programs have increased, the campus radio station has returned to the airwaves, numerous campus academic buildings and their classrooms have been retrofitted with technology reflective of the student-driven demand for the University to deliver pedagogy via smart classrooms. Additionally, more innovation in instructional practices, tools for institutional effectiveness (Watermark and Maxient) have been acquired, and upgrades have been made to the wireless infrastructure for a more consistent and reliable wireless experience. In continued support of the University’s affiliation with the United Methodist Church’s ethos, an infrastructure was incorporated, ensuring the entire university participates in Chapel every Tuesday. The University opened a Spirit Store to improve overall student pride. Wiley now offers continuing professional education (CPE) certificates through the Texas Education Agency (TEA). President Felton’s tenure has also brought the Heman Sweatt Center for Social Good, the University’s first Honors Program, and the hiring of a licensed clinical psychologist for mental health and wellbeing.
In Spring 2023, Wiley University officially transitioned back to its roots as Wiley University after a successful 10-year reaffirmation with Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and the approval of three graduate degrees. Starting in the Spring of 2024, Wiley University began offering a Master of Business Administration, Master of Arts in Criminal Justice, and a Master of Science in Higher Education.
The University is currently organized into three (2) degree-granting schools: 1) the School of Business & Social Sciences, and 2) the School of Education, Arts, and Sciences. These schools are supported by the Division of Graduate and Online Studies. The three academic units are supported by the Office of the Registrar, the Office of Student Achievement and Retention (designed to provide intensive support and advisement to entering freshmen), Student Support Services, and the Thomas Winston Cole Sr. Library.
For over 150 years, Wiley has offered educational opportunities to the citizens of Texas, the nation, and the world. The Wiley University spirit remains vibrant in the face of remarkable social change, global terrorism, economic strife, and adversity. The insightful vision of years past that made Wiley University a preeminent black university in the south is alive and well. Those leaders who brought Wiley University through its illustrious history and the dates of their service are shown in Table 1.
Table 1. The Presidents of Wiley University
CAMPUS BUILDINGS
Wiley University’s historic 77-acre campus is located in Marshall, Texas. Academic and administrative structures, residence halls, and the President's home comprise the campus’s twenty-two (21) permanent buildings. A city of roughly 25,000 residents, Marshall is located 25 miles east of Longview, Texas and 40 miles west of Shreveport, Louisiana.
The Thomas Winston Cole, Sr. Library
The library was constructed and occupied in 1967 and named in honor of the tenth president of the University. The two- story building houses a variety of print, non-print, and electronic holdings which support the curriculum and meet the needs of users. The library houses a distinguished African American Book Collection as well as other special collections and maintains open-stack services for more than 60 hours per week. It houses two computer labs.
The Willis J. King Administration Building
This original two-story Carnegie Library structure was remodeled and converted into the main administrative complex. This building is named in honor of a former Bishop of the Central Jurisdiction of the Methodist Episcopal Church who once served as chairman of the Board of Trustees of the University and was a member of the Wiley University Class of 1910. The King Building currently houses the Division of Business and Finance services as a one-stop shop for students in all financial matters.
The Fred T. Long Student Union Building
This building is named for Coach Fred T. Long, who for many years produced championship football teams at the University. The facility is the center of student activities and the social hub of the campus. An expansion and renovation were completed in 2016, which includes an improved cafeteria kitchen facility and added 6,000 square feet to the former dining area to accommodate at least 700 students at each meal. This critical enhancement was in response to the enrollment of approximately 1,000 residential students. Located in the Student Union Building are a ballroom, the Wildcat Food Pantry, Innovation Lounge, Career Closet and the Trustees Dining Room. The KBWC (FM 91.1) Radio Station, owned and operated by the University, is also located on the second floor of this building.
The Aaron Baker Science Building
A two-story building was made possible by the gift of Aaron Baker, an alumnus of the Class of 1920 and former Wiley University employee, with additional funding secured from the U.S. Department of Education and the Board of Education of the Methodist Episcopal Church. It contains classrooms, science and computer laboratories, a greenhouse, a mathematics tutorial laboratory, and a lecture auditorium.
The Wiley University Apartment Complex
This twelve-unit apartment complex is located on University Avenue across from the Aaron Baker Science Building. The 8,400 square feet apartment facility renovated in 1989 houses members of the University’s faculty and staff.
Dogan Hall
This residence hall was reconstructed in 1991. It features a “home-at-school” environment that contributes to a comfortable living/learning atmosphere. It was named for the late President Matthew W. Dogan and houses a Parlor Room named in honor of former president, Dr. David L. Beckley, the Rev. Dr. Johnnie H. Coleman ’43 television lounge, and several guest rooms.
McLeod Hall
This building, named for President Dr. E.C. McLeod, was erected during the summer of 1945. McLeod Hall was completely renovated 2022. Once a dormitory for women, it is presently used as an administrative and classroom space, including offices for Wiley University’s Police Department and the Herman Sweatt Center Lab.
The President's Home
The President's home was built by students in 1903 and partially renovated in 2018. Some of the University’s special social events are held in the spacious reception rooms of this large frame house of classic design.
Thirkield Hall
This building is a three-story structure situated near the center of the main campus. It was erected in 1918 and named for Bishop Wilbur P. Thirkield, a close friend of the University and a former president of Howard University. This building houses instructional classrooms, computer laboratories, and the Office of Academic Affairs. Technology enhancements to the classrooms and partial renovations were made in 2019, 2024 and 2025.
Smith-Nooks Hall
This building was constructed in 1953 and was partially renovated in 2020. Funds contributed by Mrs. Charles (Leota) Robinson in memory of her mother, Mrs. Josephine C. Nooks, and aunt, Miss Jessie H. E. Smith, initiated the conception of this well-appointed building. Today the building also houses the Julius S. Scott, Sr. Meditation Room named for the ninth president of the University), the Office of Student Records/Registrar, and the Division Enrollment Management.
Johnson-Moon Hall
The former Dogan Hall Annex was completely renovated after a February 1990 fire. The building was renamed Johnson- Moon in 1991 to honor two long-time trustees, Dr. Joseph T. Johnson of Chicago ‘67, Illinois, and Dr. L.A. Moon ’32 of Marshall, Texas.
Freeman P. and Carrie E. Hodge Building
The facility, the former refectory, was renovated in 1993 with a gift from Dr. and Mrs. Norman (Anne Lane Hodge, Norman Class of 1888) Cottman in honor of Mrs. Cottman’s parents. Mr. and Mrs. Hodge were proud Wiley alums. Mr. Hodge served as business manager of Wiley University and Mrs. Hodge was a noted educator in the Marshall community. The building houses a rotunda-type auditorium used for special University programs.
Ocie and Mary Jackson Hall
This facility was built in 1972 to house 192 students. The building consists of four wings: three for housing and one that contains offices and laundry facilities. The wings are arranged around an open courtyard. The Hall was renovated in 2024-2025.
The Alumni Gymnasium
The gymnasium is a completely air-conditioned building around a basketball arena with seating capacity for approximately 1500. Included are modern locker rooms, classrooms, a wellness center, a weight room, a physical therapy room, and administrative offices.
The Wiley-Pemberton Complex
Wiley University acquired the H. B. Pemberton Complex, formerly a high school from the Marshall Independent School District in a property exchange in 1987 and partially renovated in 2020, 2024 and 2025. It was named for Mr. H. B. Pemberton, Sr., the recipient of the first bachelor’s degree awarded by Wiley University in 1888. This large complex houses a number of University programs including the Board of Trustees Conference Room, the Robert E. Hayes Auditorium and Theater Hall, the Learning Center, the Lee P. Brown Criminal Justice Institute, the Department of Sociology, the Melvin B. Tolson/Denzel Washington Forensics Society offices, The Office of Student Achievement and Retention (OSAR), the Student Support and Accessibility Services Unit that shares a spacious tutorial center with the SSC, a computerized laboratory ; classrooms, and the Intramural Gymnasium and related facilities.
The David L. Beckley Building
Formerly the Atlanta Life Insurance Building, this building was named in honor of the 12th President of Wiley University in November 2011. Dr. Beckley’s dynamic record of service as president from 1987-1993 was marked by exemplary stewardship and fiduciary trust. His legacy of fiscal soundness is reflected compellingly in his retirement of accumulated fund deficits of 1.5 million dollars; the negotiated forgiveness of federal indebtedness of more than two million dollars; and the purposeful growth of an endowment for the institution. The Beckley Building serves as the Office of the President providing easy accessibility for all Wiley University stakeholders.
The Julius S. Scott, Sr. Chapel
Named in honor of the ninth president of Wiley, the Chapel is a multi-purpose facility located in the center of the campus. This magnificent facility features a beautiful 15,000 square foot sanctuary with a seating capacity of over 600, a prayer and parlor room, a chaplain’s suite, a narthex, and gathering areas. The facility is also home to the Office of the Dean of Chapel and houses the cultural and religious activities of the University. This edifice displays in its stained-glass windows an artistic representation of the University’s history and its connectional relationship with The United Methodist Church.
The Haywood L. Strickland Living-Learning Center
During its November 2011 meeting, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to name the new 500-bed facility in honor of president, Dr. Haywood L. Strickland. Construction began on the University’s fifth residence facility in the summer of 2011. The Haywood L. Strickland Living/Learning Center opened September 2012 and was consecrated by the Board of Trustees on November 2, 2012. The facility contains computer labs, study lounges, offices, meeting spaces, residential quarters for 500 students and a grand foyer which also functions as an art gallery with a premiere collection of ethnocentric art contributed by Mr. and Mrs. Harry (Dr. Kim) Long. In 2019, there was a partial renovation of the facility.
Kenneth “Kenny” Ponder Welcome Center
The newest building on the Wiley University Campus, the Ponder Welcome Center is the first campus building as you approach campus via Rosborough Springs Rd/Wiley Ave. This building serves as the hub for the Division of Institutional Advancement.
CAMPUS MASTER PLAN
The future growth and development of the University’s buildings and grounds for the next twenty (20) years are reflected in the Campus Master Plan 2031. This plan is the result of a thorough space needs analysis and provides for optimal use of existing land, as well as, planned property acquisitions based on enrollment projections. The Campus Master Plan 2031 is the University’s first comprehensive master plan that calls for transforming the physical infrastructure.