Roberts Wesleyan College

Roberts Wesleyan College was originally established as Chili Seminary by Benjamin Titus Roberts in 1866. Roberts was 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.[10]

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

In the fall of 1892 both Cox Hall and Roberts Hall were completed.[11] Cox Hall was used as both class rooms and administration.[11] Students laid a sidewalk between Cox and Roberts Hall in 1929.[12]

Carpenter Hall was opened in 1935. It was named for Miss Adella P. Carpenter who had taught at the school from 1877 to 1916.[11]

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, Roberts Wesleyan College established Northeastern Seminary[13] as its graduate school of theology.

Roberts Wesleyan College has undergraduate (60+), graduate (13) and adult degree-completion (5) programs. The college also has a doctoral program in Clinical & School Psychology. At Northeastern Seminary, students can complete a Master of Arts in Theology, Master of Divinity, Doctor of Ministry degree, and several certificate programs.

Roberts Wesleyan College soccer players

Roberts has 16 NCAA DII teams. The College is a dual member of two national athletics associations: the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA). The Redhawks are currently competing as members of the East Coast Conference (ECC); they formerly competed as members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the American Mideast Conference. Roberts offers the following varsity sports: Basketball (men and women), Cross-country (men and women), Lacrosse (men and women), Soccer (men and women), indoor track and field (men and women), swimming (men and women) and women’s volleyball and bowling.

In July 2011, the college was accepted into the NCAA Division II reclassification process from the NAIA to NCAA.[14] Roberts became a full member of NCAA Division II for the 2014–15 academic year.[14] Roberts Wesleyan College is the first NCAA Division II school in the Greater Rochester Region.

• Kirk Wagar (class of 1990), United States Ambassador to the Republic of Singapore[15]
• John Walsh (class of 1990), President of the Conservative Party of Canada
• Jennifer Suhr (class of 2004),[16] Pole Vaulter, 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 D. Bellavia (class of 1992), Children's Author / Illustrator & Professor, Touro College
• Richard Goddard, Goalkeeper, Vancouver Whitecaps
• Juan Pablo Galavis (class of 2001), Former professional soccer player and contestant on The Bachelor
• Sharon Sweet (class of 1974), Opera Singer, Metropolitan Opera Company & Vocal Professor, Westminster Choir College.
• Daniel Bennett (class of 2002), Award winning Manhattan-based jazz bandleader and composer[17]
• Jesus Paesch (class of 2012), Former professional soccer player

• Official website