Why should Virginia Wesleyan College value its relationship with
the United Methodist Church?
It is part of our heritage. Virginia Wesleyan College exists because of
the sincere desire of the United Methodist Church to promote higher education. The
school was chartered in 1961 by a grant from the Virginia Conference of the United
Methodist Church. Our very name comes from John Wesley, the founder of
Methodism.
Is our relationship with the United Methodist Church compatible
with a liberal arts college?
The intent of Virginia Wesleyan's charter was to create a
church-related liberal arts college that would encourage critical and independent
thinking among students of all religious and cultural backgrounds. Virginia
Wesleyan has never used religion as a test in hiring employees or for determining
the eligibility of students for admission.
Does the Church restrict speech, thought or inquiry?
The United Methodist Church has never tried to interfere
with free speech or expression on campus. Law, societal standards
and respect for others determine school policy on such matters. The College
has also been free to set its own standards in the area of curriculum,
without guidance by the Church.
Why should non-Methodists care about the College's relationship with the Church?
The answer might have to be a more practical one, involving
simple economics. Everyone at Virginia Wesleyan, regardless
of religious belief (or non-belief), receives a financial benefit from
the school's relationship with the United Methodist Church. The Virginia
Conference of the United Methodist Church is the largest single donor to
Virginia Wesleyan's Annual Fund. The Church has also been a significant
donor to the current Key
to the Future Campaign and its gift is projected to exceed $1 million
by the Campaign's end. Interestingly, a large number of the
top individual donors identify themselves as United Methodists, and base
their giving on the College's strong ties to the Church. This money benefits
all students, faculty and staff, alike, by making Virginia Wesleyan a wonderful
place to learn, teach and work.