Marshall, TX – Wiley University will continue its national “Wiley on the Road” Tour with a pivotal stop in Atlanta, Georgia, on Saturday, July 12, 2025, from 3:00 – 5:00 PM. Held at The Gathering Spot – Atlanta, located at 384 Northyards Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313, the event will bring together alumni, partners, and supporters for a powerful evening of reconnection, reflection, and renewed commitment to the mission and future of one of America’s most historic Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
The “Wiley on the Road” series is more than a tour—it is a movement to spotlight the enduring relevance of Black institutions in today’s social and educational landscape. Wiley University, founded in 1873, has long been a force for academic excellence, social progress, and transformational leadership. As a beacon for generations of Black scholars, Wiley University has produced influential leaders whose legacies continue to shape the course of American history.
Among its distinguished alumni is civil rights pioneer Heman M. Sweatt, a 1934 graduate whose landmark Supreme Court case, Sweatt v. Painter, led to the desegregation of the University of Texas School of Law and laid the groundwork for dismantling “separate but equal” in higher education. Another trailblazer, James Farmer Jr., a graduate of Wiley University and co-founder of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), was a key architect of the Freedom Rides and a central figure in the civil rights movement. Opal Lee, Class of 1953, became a national symbol of perseverance through her lifelong fight to establish Juneteenth as a federal holiday—a goal realized in 2021. Zephyr Wright, personal chef and adviser to President Lyndon B. Johnson, helped influence landmark civil rights legislation through her lived experiences.
These legacies are not relics of the past—they are the living foundation of Wiley University’s mission and the launchpad for its future.
Now more than ever, HBCUs like Wiley University are at the center of national conversations about equity, opportunity, and access. As many institutions navigate shifting demographics and economic challenges, Wiley continues to rise as a model of resilience, innovation, and purpose. Its programs prepare students to lead in fields ranging from law and education to science, business, healthcare, and public service.
The Atlanta stop on the tour represents an opportunity to unite champions of this mission—those who understand that education is not only a personal key to success but a critical lever for social and economic mobility across communities.
This event will also spotlight a major academic milestone: the introduction of the Truby B. Clayton Endowed Professorship. Named in honor of the late Dr. Clayton, a beloved faculty member who served the university for more than four decades, the professorship symbolizes Wiley University’s continued investment in academic excellence and faculty distinction.
Wiley University’s presence in Atlanta is intentional. As one of the nation’s most dynamic hubs for Black culture, entrepreneurship, and civic engagement, Atlanta offers the perfect setting for a gathering of minds and hearts committed to the advancement of HBCUs.
The evening will include remarks and engagement opportunities from Dr. Tashia Bradley, Chief Operating Officer and Vice President for Institutional Advancement, along with networking, storytelling, and celebration of Wiley University’s legacy and vision for the future.
This is a moment to come together. To honor where we’ve been. To invest in where we’re going. And to affirm that institutions like Wiley University remain vital to the story of America.
Event Details:
Date: Saturday, July 12, 2025
Time: 3:00 – 5:00 PM EST
Location: The Gathering Spot – Atlanta, 384 Northyards Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
To RSVP, please visit: https://www.wileyc.edu/events/wiley-on-the-road-atlanta
This is a moment to come together. To honor where we’ve been. To invest in where we’re going. And to affirm that institutions like Wiley University remain vital to the story of America. For more information or media inquiries, please contact Catherine G. Sellers, Executive Director of Marketing, Communications, and Brand Management, at communications@wileyc.edu.
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About Wiley University:
Wiley University, formerly known as Wiley College, is a premier liberal arts institution affiliated with the United Methodist Church. The university is dedicated to fostering social good and developing leaders who make a meaningful impact in their communities and beyond.
About Wiley on the Road:
“Wiley on the Road” is a national engagement tour led by Wiley University President and CEO Dr. Herman J. Felton Jr., J.D., designed to connect alumni, partners, and friends of the university with its bold vision for the future. As one of the oldest Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) west of the Mississippi River, Wiley University uses this platform to celebrate its rich legacy, spotlight student and faculty achievements, and share new initiatives that advance access, equity, and excellence in higher education. Each stop on the tour invites communities to join Wiley University in shaping a stronger, more just future—rooted in education, inspired by legacy, and driven by impact.
