Wesleyan’s 175th Anniversary celebration began months ago on campus and has included dozens of lectures and cultural events. In August, the Wesleyan community welcomed several distinguished visitors to our Opening Convocation, the official start of the academic year. The event was spectacular, complete with a procession of flags from every country represented by our wonderful students. Along with a proclamation from Macon Mayor Robert Reichert declaring September as Wesleyan College Month, we have received official letters of acknowledgment from President Barack Obama, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal, U.S. Senators Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson, State Senator Cecil Staton, Georgia Representative Robert Dickey, plus Former Presidents George H. Bush and George W. Bush. All send hearty congratulations! Click here
In September, we opened our 175th Anniversary Wesleyan Treasures exhibit. This beautiful six-venue presentation includes paintings, sculpture, objects d’art, documents, photographs, and dresses from the College’s permanent and special collections. Wesleyan’s most important works of art, including several impressive examples of our restoration program, are displayed alongside more contemporary works and a selection of period dresses, historically significant documents and student essay books, archive photographs, and other memorabilia celebrating Wesleyan’s history as the first college in the world chartered to grant degrees to women.
In November, we were delighted by the talents of our students on stage in their production of Princess Ida, an operetta by Gilbert & Sullivan. A rarely produced musical comedy about a young princess who is pledged to marry a handsome prince but instead decides to found a women’s university, this new adaptation honored Wesleyan’s 175th with humor and style.
We kicked off December with a special 175th Anniversary Holiday Concert, featuring our Concert Choir and the Wesleyannes, followed by a reception in Oval Hall complete with birthday cake and a toast to all things Wesleyan. Four names were randomly drawn from among the alumnae who have shared their Pearls of Wisdom. Congratulations to Susan Woodward Walker '70, Wanda Maynard Schroeder '80, Anne Cordeiro '92, and Crystal Church Tanner '2010 each of whom won a stunning heirloom quality strand of pearls for sharing their wisdom! Share your own Pearl of Wisdom by visiting the Alumnae section of the Wesleyan website! Click here
We are honored that the Georgia Historical Society produced a segment about Wesleyan College to air on GPB's Today in Georgia History December 23rd, Wesleyan's 175th Anniversary. Click here
Wednesday, February 29, 2012, a delegation of Wesleyan students, staff, alumnae, and Board members joined President Knox at the State Capitol in Atlanta to receive official resolutions from the Georgia House of Representatives and the Georgia Senate. Hailing Wesleyan as the pioneer for women’s education, Representative Allen Peake recognized Wesleyan as one of the nation’s finest liberal arts colleges, consistently recognized for academic excellence, affordability, diversity, and service learning. Senator Cecil Staton noted that the College is preparing a new generation of leaders who will ensure a strong and vibrant future for our state. To see the presentation by Representative Peake and remarks by President Knox, click the "play" arrow on the video below and use the clock bar to forward ahead to about 01:02:00.
Throughout our celebrations, we are ever grateful for all who make this Wesleyan experience possible. Together, we are helping to educate women of substance and action, women who lead and serve, and women who will continue to represent Wesleyan College well for the next 175 years.
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Enjoy watching this segment the Georgia Historical Society produced to air on GPB's Today in Georgia History December 23rd, Wesleyan's 175th Anniversary.
View photos of President Knox accepting a special 175th Anniversary resolution from Rep. Allen Peake at the Georgia State Capitol on February 29, 2012.
Read Sen. Cecil Staton (R-Macon) press release
Click through images from our 175th Celebration Reception, December 4, 2011.
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