Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Sen. Bonini on behalf of all Senators

DELAWARE STATE SENATE

151st GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 20

DESIGNATING SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 AS " WESLEY COLLEGE LEGACY DAY" IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

WHEREAS, Wesley College was founded on September 1, 1873 as a preparatory school named Wilmington Conference Academy; and

WHEREAS, Wesley College accepted its first female students in 1874; and

WHEREAS, the College changed its name to Wesley Collegiate Institute in 1918 and then to Wesley Junior College in 1941; and

WHEREAS, Wesley College was Delaware’s oldest private college; and

WHEREAS, Wesley College was located in Delaware’s capital city, Dover, and also operated an off-campus location at the Dover Air Force Base; and

WHEREAS, Wesley College was a treasured resource for Delaware throughout its almost 150 year history; and

WHEREAS, Wesley College awarded nearly $42 million in financial aid and scholarships to students annually, which allowed students to pursue a higher education regardless of their financial background; and

WHEREAS, approximately 1,500 students attended the College’s Dover campus each year from 21 states and 6 countries; and

WHEREAS, the College offered 30 bachelor’s degrees, 4 associate’s degrees, and master’s degrees in nursing, education, business administration and environmental science in a multi-denominational, multi-cultural campus setting; and

WHEREAS, consistent with its Methodist heritage, the College affirmed meaning and purpose in life through justice, compassion, inclusion and social responsibility that enhanced community life and respect for the environment; and

WHEREAS, Wesley College existed to liberate and empower its students with the knowledge, skills, ethical attitudes and capacity for critical thinking needed to achieve personal and professional goals and to contribute to the local and global society; and

WHEREAS, Delaware and the surrounding region are filled with Wesley College graduates in all walks of life, who contribute their all for our common good; and

WHEREAS, Wesley College was formally acquired by Delaware State University on July 1, 2021 and renamed Wesley College of Health and Behavioral Sciences.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 151 ^st General Assembly that September 1, 2021 be proclaimed as “Wesley College Legacy Day” in the State of Delaware.