Wiley College Celebrates 150 Years!

Wiley College will celebrate the institution’s 150-year anniversary, beginning July 21, 2022.

Wiley College is the nation’s first HBCU west of the Mississippi and was founded by the Freedmen’s Aid Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Named after Bishop Isaac William Wiley, the College began as a place for the education of enslaved and free Blacks. 

The College will celebrate its proud history of advocacy, activism, scholarship, and excellence all academic year, with a culminating experience at the Founders’ Day Convocation, on March 17, 2023.

Wiley College in anticipation of the year’s celebration has already launched the Wiley 1873 Campaign, with the goal of providing 1873 scholarships to new incoming students, in commemoration of its Sesquicentennial. Students should apply immediately to Wiley College to take advantage of this opportunity, as classes begin August 1, 2022. 

As part of the year’s activities, Wiley College Board of Trustee Vice-Chairman Mr. Jerry Cargill, and Trustee Emeritus Warren Scott will lead the Increasing the Legacy: Wiley College Sesquicentennial Campaign with a goal of $3.4 million to strengthen the student-athlete experience, through a new state-of-the-art athletics complex, a new fleet of vehicles, and modern practice gym. 

“Wiley College continues its legacy on and off the field. Through this campaign, we continue our commitment to student-athletes with new facilities for training and competition. We have had a history of athletic competition including a 1945 SWAC National Championship (football), an All-Southwestern Athletic Conference, and the All-National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics District 8 champions (golf).  Our goal is to continue creating champions in academics and athletics through new experiences.” – Wiley College President & CEO Herman J. Felton, Jr., J.D., Ph.D.

“As the Chairman of the Wiley College Board of Trustees, it is an honor to be a part of this important year for Wiley College. For 150 years, Wiley College has been a beacon of light. As we celebrate, we honor our past and look forward to a future of  150 + years.” Attorney & BOT Chairman Billy R. Casey ‘72

Various celebrations will be open to the public and can be accessed through the Wiley College Sesquicentennial 1873-2023 Celebration page, https://www.wileyc.edu/wiley150/.

Join us throughout the year for this historic milestone, as we celebrate Wiley College’s achievements and the substantial impact of the institution since its founding in 1873.

For more information, contact Ms. Jasmine Farmer, Director of Marketing and Communications, jfarmer@wileyc.edu.

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About Wiley College: Founded in 1873 in Marshall, Texas, Wiley College is a historically Black, liberal arts, residential, co-educational, baccalaureate degree-granting institution affiliated with The United Methodist Church. Committed to the principle of educational access, the College serves traditional and non-traditional students from diverse backgrounds who have expressed a desire and potential for learning in a Christian environment. Home of “The Great Debaters,” Wiley College has an intentional focus on social good and leadership, and its motto is “Go forth Inspired.”