M.Ed. Resource Guide - CHAPTER 1: BACKGROUND INFORMATION

History

     Indiana Wesleyan University is a Christian liberal arts coeducational university related to the Wesleyan Church. The University has gone through several name changes over the past century. From 1890 - 1912 it was known as Marion Normal College and Business University, serving primarily teacher and business students. From 1912 - 1918, it was known as Marion Normal Institute. In 1920, the name was changed to Marion College and the religion department was formed from the Fairmount Bible School which had been operated by the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Fairmount, Indiana. On July 1, 1988, Marion College became the 60-acre campus known today as Indiana Wesleyan University.

     In 1985, Marion College began its Adult and Professional Studies Division in an effort to increase the range and locations of programming available to non-traditional students. In the fall of 2000, the APS division changed its name to the College of Adult and Professional Studies. This College currently offers several degrees in business, education, management, and nursing.

Mission Statement and Core Values

     "Indiana Wesleyan University is a Christ-centered academic community committed to changing the world by developing students in character, scholarship and leadership."

     This mission statement emphasizes the core values displayed throughout the university and in every facet of the M.Ed. program.
      "The primary value for Indiana Wesleyan University is Christlikeness. The challenge to follow Christ compels us to pursue a personal and professional lifestyle of:

• Commitment
• Learning
• Serving
• Stewardship"

World Changer Initiative and Vision

     In 1999, Indiana Wesleyan University began a new initiative to challenge its students and faculty alike to become world changers. Following the principles embodied in the mission statement and core values stated above, a vision statement was also adopted:
      "Indiana Wesleyan University will prepare each student to become a world changer. We will accomplish this by drawing students into an integrated experience of intellectual challenge, spiritual growth, and leadership development. Thus we will:

• call students to Christian character;
• expect academic excellence;
• equip them for success in their vocations;
• mentor them in leadership;
• prepare them for service."

Multiculturalism and Diversity

     As part of its ongoing efforts to promote the World Changer Initiative and Vision of Indiana Wesleyan University, the Graduate Studies in Education Department through the writing of Dr. Jim Elsberry, has developed a position paper on the topic of multiculturalism. That paper can be found in Appendix A of this M.Ed. Resource Guide.