Wingate University

Last updated
Wingate University
Seal of Wingate University.jpg
Former names
The Wingate School (1896–1923)
Wingate Junior College (1923–1977)
Wingate College (1977–1995)
MottoFaith, Knowledge, Service
Type Private university
Established1896;128 years ago (1896)
Religious affiliation
 Baptist State Convention of North Carolina [1]
Endowment $99.1 million [2]
President Rhett Brown
Provost Jeff Frederick
Academic staff
177
Students3,439
Undergraduates 2,483
Postgraduates 956
Location
Wingate, North Carolina
,
U.S.

34°59′10″N80°26′39″W / 34.98611°N 80.44417°W / 34.98611; -80.44417
Colors Blue and gold
Nickname Bulldogs
Sporting affiliations
 NCAA Division II
MascotVictor E. Bulldog
Website www.wingate.edu
Logo of Wingate University.webp

Wingate University is a private liberal arts university with campuses in Wingate, Charlotte, and Hendersonville, North Carolina. It identifies as a university with "Judeo-Christian heritage."

Contents

The university enrolls more than 3,600 students. It offers 37 undergraduate majors as well as eight master's and five doctoral degrees. Academic programs are housed in the Cannon College of Arts and Sciences; the Levine College of Health Sciences; the Byrum School of Business; and the College of Professional Studies, which includes the Thayer School of Education and the School of Sport Sciences.

History

In 1896, Wingate University began as The Wingate School, a primary and secondary institution founded by the Baptist Associations of Union County, North Carolina, and Chesterfield County, South Carolina, in response to a dearth of locally-available public schools.

The school took its name from Washington Manly Wingate, a former president of Wake Forest College. Following a 2021 decision by Wake Forest University to rename Wingate Hall, [3] Wingate University publicly acknowledged Washington Wingate's history as a slaveowner and announced they would begin looking for ways to address his past. [4]

The Wingate School initially offered a primary and secondary education and continued to do so until the proliferation of public schools in the early 20th century. In 1923, the school began offering the first two years of a baccalaureate education and became Wingate Junior College . The years leading to World War II were difficult for the institution. Though it began receiving financial support from The Baptist State Convention of North Carolina soon after becoming a college, this support was withdrawn during The Great Depression. It was also during this period, in 1932, that the college's administration building was destroyed by fire. The college survived, however, as a result of the work of its administration, faculty, and supporters as well as the post-World War II college enrollment boom. The Baptist State Convention resumed financial support in 1949, and Charles Cannon, a local businessman and philanthropist, began making substantial donations to the college beginning in the 1950s.

In 1952, Wingate Junior College was accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and in 1977, became a four-year institution, Wingate College. The college continued to grow, especially under the leadership of Jerry McGee, added graduate programs, and became Wingate University in 1995. [5] Wingate also has campuses located in Hendersonville, NC, home to graduate programs in pharmacy and physician assistant studies, and Ballantyne, North Carolina.

From its founding, the institution was affiliated with the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina of the Southern Baptist Convention. In 2007, the university began the process of separating from the convention to allow the university's board of trustees to elect its own member. Wingate was among four universities making identical proposals to the convention. [6] The state convention also agreed to start transferring funds traditionally given directly to the universities into a new scholarship fund for Baptist students.

In 2009, the schools gained autonomy from the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina and established a “good faith and cooperative” relationship with it. The four other schools were, Mars Hill University, Campbell University, Gardner-Webb University, and Chowan University.  

Presidents of Wingate University [7]
PresidentYears
Charles Beach1923-1924
Joseph Huff1924-1930
Coy Muckle1930-1936
J.B. Little1936-1937
C.C. Burris1937-1953
Budd Smith1953-1974
Thomas Corts1974-1983
Paul Corts1983-1991
Jerry McGee1992-2015
Rhett Brown2015-present

Academics

Wingate offers 35 undergraduate majors, 10 pre-professional programs and 38 minors. The university offers five types of bachelor's degrees: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Music Education, and Bachelor of Liberal Studies. The university also offers several graduate programs in professional programs. One-in-five Wingate undergraduate students is preparing to be a pharmacist, physician assistant, physical therapist, occupational therapist, or nurse and 65 percent of graduate students are enrolled in health sciences.

Pharmacy

The Wingate University School of Pharmacy is a pharmacy school located in Wingate, North Carolina. The school, part of Wingate University, offers a four-year Doctor of Pharmacy degree (Pharm.D) and is nationally accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education. [8] As of 2021, tied with 8 other programs, it was ranked #90 among pharmacy colleges in the US. [9]

Physician Assistant

The physician assistant program is offered at both Wingate, North Carolina and Hendersonville, North Carolina campuses. As of 2021, it was ranked #108 among physician assistant programs within the U.S.

Study abroad

Started in 1978, the university's W'International program allows eligible juniors to take a two-credit-hour seminar, which ends with a 10-day travel experience for $1,500 or less. Wingate also offers language-immersion summer programs in Costa Rica and Quebec. [10]

Athletics

Wingate student-athletes compete in 22 NCAA Division II sports. These sports include: baseball, softball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's golf, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's swimming and diving, men's and women's tennis, men's and women's track & field, men's and women's lacrosse, football and volleyball. Wingate's mascot is the Bulldog.

In 2016, the men's soccer team won the school's first team national championship, by defeating University of Charleston 2–0 in the national title game in Kansas City, Missouri. [11]

In 2021, the men's baseball team defeated Central Missouri 5–3 to capture their first world series national championship

Notable alumni

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of the Cumberlands</span> Christian university in Williamsburg, Kentucky, U.S.

The University of the Cumberlands is a private Christian university in Williamsburg, Kentucky. Over 20,000 students are enrolled at the university.

The University of Mobile is a private Baptist university in Prichard, Alabama, in Mobile County. It is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist Convention.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meredith College</span> Private liberal arts womens college in Raleigh, North Carolina, US

Meredith College is a private women's liberal arts college and coeducational graduate school in Raleigh, North Carolina. As of 2021 Meredith enrolls approximately 1,500 women in its undergraduate programs and 300 men and women in its graduate programs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Union University</span> Christian university in Jackson, Tennessee, US

Union University is a private Baptist Christian university in Jackson, Tennessee, with additional campuses in Germantown and Hendersonville. The university is affiliated with the Tennessee Baptist Convention. It is a union of several different schools: West Tennessee College, formerly known as Jackson Male Academy; Union University of Murfreesboro; Southwestern Baptist University; and Hall-Moody Junior College of Martin, Tennessee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mercer University</span> Private university in Macon, Georgia, US

Mercer University is a private research university with its main campus in Macon, Georgia. Founded in 1833 as Mercer Institute and gaining university status in 1837, it is the oldest private university in the state and enrolls more than 9,000 students in 12 colleges and schools. Mercer is a member of the Georgia Research Alliance. It is classified as a "R2: Doctoral Universities — High research activity".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">High Point University</span> Private university in High Point, North Carolina, US

High Point University (HPU) is a private university in High Point, North Carolina. It is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. The university was founded as High Point College in 1924, and it became High Point University in October 1991. HPU offers 63 undergraduate majors, 65 undergraduate minors, and 18 graduate majors. U.S. News & World Report ranks HPU #1 in Regional Colleges South.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anderson University (South Carolina)</span> University in Anderson, South Carolina, US

Anderson University is a private Baptist university in Anderson, South Carolina. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in over 100 areas of study. Anderson is affiliated with the South Carolina Baptist Convention and is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Anderson participates in NCAA Division II athletics and is a member of the South Atlantic Conference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">California Baptist University</span> American religious university

California Baptist University is a private Baptist Christian university in Riverside, California. Founded in 1950 as California Baptist College, it is affiliated with the California Southern Baptist Convention, an organization affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. CBU is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chowan University</span> Private university in Murfreesboro, North Carolina, US

Chowan University is a private Christian liberal arts university in Murfreesboro, North Carolina. The university offers associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees in 70 academic disciplines and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">William Carey University</span> Christian university in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, US

William Carey University is a private Christian university in Mississippi, affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention and the Mississippi Baptist Convention. The main campus is in Hattiesburg and a second campus is in the Tradition community north of Biloxi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Campbellsville University</span> Private Christian university in Campbellsville, Kentucky, U.S.

Campbellsville University (CU) is a private Christian university in Campbellsville, Kentucky. It was founded as Russell Creek Academy and enrolls more than 12,000 students. The university offers associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charleston Southern University</span> Baptist university in North Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.

Charleston Southern University (CSU) is a private Baptist university in North Charleston, South Carolina. It is affiliated with the South Carolina Baptist Convention.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Campbell University</span> Private university in Buies Creek, North Carolina, U.S.

Campbell University is a private Christian university in Buies Creek, North Carolina. Campbell's main campus in Buies Creek is home to its College of Arts & Sciences, College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, Divinity School, School of Education, Lundy-Fetterman School of Business, and the School of Engineering. Nearby is the Health Sciences Campus, home to the Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine and the Catherine W. Wood School of Nursing. Campbell also operates a Raleigh Campus in downtown Raleigh, which is home to the Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law as well as other programs. It maintains additional satellite campuses in Fort Liberty/Pope Air Force Base and at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, and maintains a degree program at Tunku Abdul Rahman College in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and provides online classes through Adult & Online Education. The university athletics teams are the Fighting Camels; its athletics programs field 20 NCAA Division I teams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gardner–Webb University</span> University in Boiling Springs, North Carolina

Gardner–Webb University is a private Christian liberal arts university in Boiling Springs, North Carolina. It was founded as Boiling Springs High School in 1905. Gardner-Webb is a classified among "Doctoral/Professional Universities".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shorter University</span> Baptist college in Rome, Georgia, US

Shorter University is a private Baptist university in Rome, Georgia. It was founded in 1873 and offers undergraduate and graduate degrees through six colleges and schools. In addition Shorter operates the Robert H. Ledbetter College of Business and the School of Nursing at off-campus facilities in the Rome area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mars Hill University</span> Christian university in Mars Hill, North Carolina

Mars Hill University is a private Christian university in Mars Hill, North Carolina. The university offers 35 undergraduate majors and includes a school of nursing and graduate schools in education, criminal justice, and management. From 1859 to 2013 the school was called Mars Hill College; in August 2013 it officially changed its name to Mars Hill University.

Morris College (MC) is a private, Baptist historically black college in Sumter, South Carolina. It was founded and is operated by the Baptist Educational and Missionary Convention of South Carolina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Greenville University</span> Private Christian university in Tigerville, South Carolina, U.S.

North Greenville University is a private Baptist liberal arts college in Tigerville, South Carolina. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and awards bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Truett McConnell University</span>

Truett McConnell University is a private Baptist university in Cleveland, Georgia. It is operated under the auspices of the Georgia Baptist Convention and controlled by a board of trustees elected by the convention. The university was named to honor George W. Truett and Fernando C. McConnell.

Carolina University (CU), formerly Piedmont International University (PIU), is a private Christian university in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Carolina University offers both residential and online programs including dual enrollment, undergraduate, and graduate degrees. It is accredited by the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS) and is a member of the American Association of Christian Schools (AACS).

References

  1. ↑ "Colleges and Universities". Southern Baptist Convention. 2023. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  2. ↑ "In Brief - Wingate University". wingate.edu. Wingate University. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  3. ↑ "University releases renaming process details".
  4. ↑ "Special Message". Wingate University. May 7, 2021. Archived from the original on May 9, 2021. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
  5. ↑ Martin, Jonathan. "'Wingate University'". North Carolina History Project. northcarolinahistory.org. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  6. ↑ "Five schools to cut Baptist ties". Wilmington Star News. March 24, 2007. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Meet the President of Wingate University | Charlotte, NC". www.wingate.edu. Retrieved 2023-08-26.
  8. ↑ "Wingate University School of Pharmacy".
  9. ↑ U.S. News & World Report Page accessed 09 September 2021
  10. ↑ "Wingate International Studies".
  11. ↑ Team National Champions - Wingate University Athletics. Retrieved Aug 15, 2020.
  12. ↑ Sean Barnette (2018) - - Wingate University Athletics. Retrieved Aug 15, 2020.
  13. ↑ Dick F. Elliott - Costal Carolina University. Retrieved Aug 15, 2020.
  14. ↑ Ethan Evans Stats. Pro-Football-Reference. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  15. ↑ Richard Lindsay - West Virginia Legislature. Retrieved Aug 15, 2020
  16. ↑ Charlie Machell - Men's Soccer - Wingate University Athletics. Retrieved Aug 15, 2020.
  17. ↑ Alvin Morman (1999) - - Wingate University Athletics. Retrieved Aug 15, 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.