View source for Roberts Wesleyan University

{{Short description|Methodist institute of higher education in Chili, New York}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2019}}{{Use American English|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox university
 | name                   = Roberts Wesleyan University
 | native_name            = 
 | image_name             = Roberts wesleyan college seal.png
 | image_size             = 170
 | former_names           = Chili Seminary (1866–1885)<br />A.M. Chesbrough Seminary (1885–1945)<br />Roberts Junior College (1945–1949)<br />Roberts Wesleyan College (1949–2022)
 | caption                = 
 | latin_name             = 
 | motto                  = ''Education for Character'' <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.roberts.edu/about/leadership/office-of-the-president/|title=Office of the President|website=www.roberts.edu|access-date=March 13, 2020}}</ref>
 | established            = {{start date and age|1866}}
 | closed                 = 
 | type                   = [[Private university]]
 | religious_affiliation  = [[Free Methodist Church]]
 | endowment              = $40.4 million (2023)<ref>As of June 30, 2020. {{cite report |url=https://www.nacubo.org/-/media/Documents/Research/2020-NTSE-Public-Tables--Endowment-Market-Values--FINAL-FEBRUARY-19-2021.ashx |title=U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2020 Endowment Market Value and Change in Endowment Market Value from FY19 to FY20 |publisher=National Association of College and University Business Officers and [[TIAA]] |date=February 19, 2021 |access-date=February 21, 2021}}</ref>
 | president              = [[Rupert A. Hayles Jr.]]<ref name=newsrelease>As of June 16, 2023. {{cite report |url=https://www.roberts.edu/news?id=6757 |title=Roberts Wesleyan University and Northeastern Seminary Name Dr. Rupert A. Hayles Jr. Next President |date=June 16, 2023 |access-date=June 22, 2023}}</ref>
 | students               = 1,746
 | city                   = [[North Chili, New York|North Chili]]
 | state                  = New York
 | country                = United States
 | coor                   = 
 | campus                 = [[Suburb]]an
 | colors                 = {{color box|crimson}} {{color box|black}}<br>Red and black
 | nickname               = Redhawks
 | mascot                 = Reggie the Redhawk
 | sporting_affiliations  = [[NCAA]] [[NCAA Division II|Division II]] – [[East Coast Conference|ECC]]
 | academic_affiliations  = [[Council of Independent Colleges|CIC]]<br/>[[National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities|NAICU]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.naicu.edu/member_center/members.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151109231238/http://www.naicu.edu/member_center/members.asp|url-status=dead|title=NAICU - Membership|archive-date=November 9, 2015|access-date=March 13, 2020}}</ref><br/>[[Council for Christian Colleges and Universities|CCCU]]
 | website                = {{URL|https://www.roberts.edu/|roberts.edu}}
 | footnotes              = 
| logo =
| logo_size = 150
}}

'''Roberts Wesleyan University''' is a [[Private university|private]] Christian university near [[Rochester, New York]], United States. It was the first educational institution established for [[Free Methodists]] in [[North America]]. Roberts is [[Higher education accreditation in the United States|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==
[[File:Benjamin titus roberts portrait.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Benjamin Roberts, founder]]
Roberts Wesleyan University was originally established as "Chili Seminary" by [[B. T. Roberts|Benjamin Titus Roberts]] in 1866. Roberts was an [[American Methodist Episcopal Mission|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.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/chesbronian-1942|title=Chesbronian 1942, Students of 1942|date=1942|publisher=Chesbrough Seminary|pages=[https://archive.org/details/chesbronian-1942/page/n59 58]}}</ref>

In 1885, its name changed to "Chesbrough Seminary" in response to the $30,000 gift of benefactor A.M. Chesbrough.

[[File:Chesbrough seminary ny 1910.jpg|thumb|left|Chesbrough Seminary c. 1910]]
In the fall of 1892 both Cox Hall and Roberts Hall were completed.<ref name=":0" /> Cox Hall was used as both class rooms and administration,<ref name=":0" /> 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.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/chesbronian-1942|title=Chesbronian 1942, Students of 1942|date=1942|publisher=Chesbrough Seminary|pages=[https://archive.org/details/chesbronian-1942/page/n62 61]}}</ref>

Carpenter Hall was opened in 1935. It was named for Adella P. Carpenter who had taught at the school from 1877 to 1916.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/chesbronian-1942|title=Chesbronian 1942, Students of 1942|date=1942|publisher=Chesbrough Seminary|pages=[https://archive.org/details/chesbronian-1942/page/n61 60], 62–63}}</ref> 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]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Northeastern Seminary &#124; Theological Seminary &#124; Ministry Education |url=https://www.nes.edu/ |access-date=March 13, 2020 |website=www.nes.edu}}</ref>

On September 13, 2022, it was renamed "Roberts Wesleyan University" after applying to the [[New York State Education Department]] and the [[Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York|Board of Regents]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Roberts Wesleyan College Becomes Roberts Wesleyan University |url=https://www.roberts.edu/news?id=4541 |access-date=September 13, 2022}}</ref>

The 12th president of Roberts Wesleyan University is [[Rupert A. Hayles Jr.]], who started on July 1, 2023.<ref name=newsrelease />

==Athletics==
[[File:Roberts wesleyan athletics mark.png|thumb|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.<ref name="roberts">{{cite news |last=Bradley |first=Steve |date=July 13, 2011 |title=Roberts Wesleyan moving up to Division II athletics |url=https://www.roberts.edu/athletics/ |access-date=July 13, 2011 |work=[[Democrat and Chronicle]]}}</ref> Roberts became a full member of NCAA Division II for the 2014–15 academic year.<ref name="roberts"/> Roberts Wesleyan University is the first NCAA Division II school in the Greater Rochester Region.

==Notable alumni==
<!--- must be paragraph format per WP:UNIGUIDE --->
*[[Kirk Wagar]] (class of 1990), United States Ambassador to the Republic of Singapore<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://singapore.usembassy.gov/ambassador.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821130808/http://singapore.usembassy.gov/ambassador.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2014-08-21|title=Ambassador {{!}} Embassy of the United States Singapore|date=2014-08-21|access-date=2019-05-21}}</ref>
*[[John Walsh (Canadian politician)|John Walsh]] (class of 1990), President of the Conservative Party of Canada
*[[Jenn Suhr|Jennifer Suhr]] (class of 2004),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.roberts.edu/news?id=2499|title=Jenn Suhr '04 Sets World Indoor Pole Vault Record|website=Roberts Wesleyan University|language=en|access-date=2019-05-21}}</ref> [[Pole Vault]]er, 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 (footballer)|Richard Goddard]], Goalkeeper, [[Vancouver Whitecaps (1986–2010)|Vancouver Whitecaps]]
*[[Juan Pablo Galavis]] (class of 2001), Former professional soccer player and contestant on ''[[The Bachelor (U.S. TV series)|The Bachelor]]''
*[[Sharon Sweet]] (class of 1974), Opera Singer, [[Metropolitan Opera Company]] & Vocal Professor, [[Westminster Choir College]].
*[[Daniel Bennett (saxophonist)|Daniel Bennett]] (class of 2002), Award-winning Manhattan-based jazz bandleader and composer<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/lifestyle/2016/09/19/daniel-bennett-brings-brian-wilson-jazz-back-home/90690724/|title=Daniel Bennett brings 'Brian Wilson jazz' back home|website=Rochester Democrat and Chronicle|language=en|access-date=2019-05-21}}</ref>
*[[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==
{{Reflist}}

==External links== 
{{commons cat}}
* {{Official website}}
* [https://robertsredhawks.com/ Athletics website]

{{East Coast Conference navbox}}
{{Rochester Area Colleges}}
{{CCCU}}
{{NCCAA Division I Midwest navbox}}
{{Authority control}}

{{Coord|43.125743|-77.798530|type:edu_globe:earth_region:US-NY|display=title}}

[[Category:Roberts Wesleyan University| ]]
[[Category:Private universities and colleges in New York (state)]]
[[Category:Educational institutions established in 1966]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges in Monroe County, New York]]
[[Category:Evangelicalism in New York (state)]]
[[Category:1866 establishments in New York (state)]]
[[Category:Council for Christian Colleges and Universities]]