Kentucky Wesleyan College
| Motto | It's About Success |
|---|---|
| Type | college, private (nonprofit) |
| Established | 1858 |
| President | M. Michael Fagan |
| Students | 968 |
| Location | , , |
| Campus | 55 acre campus near the southern bypass |
| Athletics | 13 Division II NCAA teams |
| Colors | Purple and Gold |
| Mascot | Panthers |
| Website | kwc.edu |
Kentucky Wesleyan College is a private Methodist college in Owensboro, Kentucky. Kentucky Wesleyan College is known for its liberal arts programs. Spring 2007 enrollment was 859 students.[1]
Athletically, Kentucky Wesleyan College is a NCAA Division II school, nicknamed the Panthers, that is part of the Great Lakes Valley Conference.
History
Kentucky Wesleyan College was founded in 1858 by the Kentucky Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. It was originally located in Millersburg. Classes began in 1866 and the first commencement took place in 1868. At first, it was a training school for preachers but soon business classes and liberal arts classes were added to the curriculum. In 1890 the school was moved to Winchester and soon after women began to be admitted to the school for the first time. In 1951 the school moved to its present location in Kentucky's third largest city Owensboro.
Presidents of Kentucky Wesleyan College (modern era)
- Rev. Paul Shell Powell, 1937 - 1950
- John F. Baggett, 1950 - 1951
- Dr. Oscar W. Lever, 1951 - 1959
- Dr. Harold P. Hamilton, 1959 - 1970
- Dr. William James, 1971 - 1980
- Dr. Luther Wesley White III, 1980 - 1988
- Dr. Paul Wayne Hartman, 1988 - 1993
- Dr. Ray Purdom (Acting President) 1993 - 1994
- Dr. Wesley H. Poling, 1994 - 2003
- Dr. Anne Cairns Federlein, 2003 - 2008
- Dr. M. Michael Fagan, (Interim President) 2008 -
Academics
Academics at Kentucky Wesleyan are divided into three academic divisions: Humanities and Fine Arts; Social Sciences; and Natural Sciences.
KWC offers a wide range of academic programs to choose from
Majors include:
Bachelor of Arts
Accounting
Art Education
Biology
Business Administration
Communication Arts
Computer Information
Corporate Communications
English
History
Human Services Administration
Interdisciplinary Studies
Music Industry
Political Science
Psychology
Religion
Sociology
Spanish
Spanish Education (P-12)
Bachelor of Music Degree
Bachelor of Music Education
Music Education
Bachelor of Science
Accounting
Biology
Business Administration
Chemistry
Communication Arts
Computer Information Systems
Corporate Communications
Criminal Justice
Elementary Education
Fitness and Sport Management History (with department head’s special permission only)
Human Services Administration
Interdisciplinary Studies
Mathematics
Middle Grades Education
Physical Education
Physical Education P-12
Physics
Psychology
Public Service
Minors include:
Accounting
Art (Graphic Design)
Biology
Business Administration
Chemistry
Christian Ministries
Communication
Computer Information Systems
Criminal Justice
Economics
English
Forensic Science
French
German
History
Mathematics
Military Science
Music
Philosophy
Physics
Political Science
Political Science (Pre-Law)
Psychology
Religion
Sociology
Spanish
Sociology
Zoology
Kentucky Wesleyan also offers Secondary Education Certification in Biology, Chemistry, English, History, and Math
Pre-Professional programs offered by Kentucky Wesleyan College include:
Christian Ministry
Pre-Chemical Engineering
Pre-Dentistry
Pre-Engineering
Environmental Science
Pre-Law
Medical Technology
Pre-Medicine/Pre-Veterinary Medicine
Pre-Optometry
Pre-Pharmacy
Pre-Physical Therapy
Pre-Physician Assistant
Student Life
Kentucky Wesleyan offers over 40 student organizations on campus. These range from campus ministry, student government, Greek life, academic, and other special interest clubs. Intramurals are also offered on a seasonal basis.
Media & Publications
The Panogram - Weekly student newspaper
The Porphyrian - Yearbook
90.3 WKWC - 5,000 watt FM radio station run by students and volunteers
Greek Life
Kentucky Wesleyan has 3 national fraternities and 2 national sororities.
Fraternities
Sigma Alpha Mu
Sigma Nu
Sigma Phi Epsilon
Sororities
Athletics
Kentucky Wesleyan has a long athletic history, and currently has men's teams competing in baseball, basketball, football, golf, cross country and soccer, and women's teams competing in basketball, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, cross country and volleyball.
Basketball
The KWC men's basketball team has been a powerhouse in NCAA Division II competition for decades. The Panthers advanced to the Division II championship game six consecutive years (1998-2003), winning in 1999 and 2001. In addition to these most recent successes, they also won six other championships (1966, 1968, 1969, 1973, 1987, and 1990) and were runners-up in 1957. Overall, Kentucky Wesleyan has won eight NCAA Division II National Men's Basketball Championships, which is the most by any NCAA Division II School. Two Kentucky Wesleyan basketball players have played in the National Basketball Association. Sam Smith played two seasons in the NBA for the Milwaukee Bucks (1978-1979) and the Chicago Bulls (1979-1980). Corey Crowder played two seasons in the NBA for the Utah Jazz (1991-1992) and the San Antonio Spurs (1994-1995). Crowder was a key member of the 1990 NCAA Division II National Championship team which helped get him elected to the Great Lakes Valley Conference Hall of Fame in 2002. Kentucky Wesleyan is a member of the Great Lakes Valley Conference and its' basketball team frequently represents that conference in the NCAA Division II Elite Eight. After coming off probation, the Panthers finished 13-14 in the 2006-2007 season. The past season saw the Panthers return closer to their old status as powerhouse, attaining a record of 24-8 and making the NCAA tournament for a record 34th time. Star center Jeff Fahnbuelleh was named GLVC Player of the Year and Coach Todd Lee was named Coach of the Year.
Football
Kentucky Wesleyan has an American football team, which competes in the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Football Conference . The Kentucky Wesleyan College football Panthers joined the conference prior to the 2006 football season. Steele Stadium (Bullet Wilson Field) located on Kentucky Wesleyan's campus is the home of the Kentucky Wesleyan Panther football team. From 1983 to 2003 the Kentucky Wesleyan Football team played their home games at Owensboro area high schools. In 2004, the Panthers began playing their home football games at Bullet Wilson Field, an on campus field completed prior to the 2004 football season. The playing suface at Bullet Wilson Field features field turf, an artificial playing surface. The stadium around the field underwent a major upgrade project following the 2006 season. When the upgrade was completed the home of the Panthers football team was to be known as Steele Stadium (Bullet Wilson Field).
After a 53 year absence, Football returned to Kentucky Wesleyan in 1983. The college's decision to re-establish its' football program was announced in December 1982. KWC dropped the football program in 1931 due to financial reasons after having a team from 1907-1930. KWC has had three winning seasons since football returned in 1983 (1993 6-4, 1997 6-4, 1999 7-4). KWC was the 1999 National Champion Runner-Up in NCAA Division II Non-Scholarship.
Football Tradition
Kentucky Wesleyan is involved in a traveling trophy series with Union College (Kentucky). When the two schools meet in football, the winner of game receives the John Wesley Trophy, the trophy was introduced to the series in 1985. The John Wesley Trophy was named after Methodism founder John Wesley, Wesley was chosen a the namesake for the trophy because both Kentucky Wesleyan College and Union College are Methodist affiliated colleges. The KWC Football program currently has possession of the John Wesley Trophy, earning it by defeating Union 16-14 at Bullet Wilson Field during the 2004 season.
Football History 1983-2007
1983-1989
Billy Mitchell was hired in 1983 as Kentucky Wesleyan's first modern day head football coach. From 1983 to 1989, Mitchell guided the Panthers to a win-loss record of 22-41-3. The 1983 KWC Panthers then a member of NCAA Division III football finished 3-5 in KWC's return to the gridiron. During the inaugural season, punter Steve Wolf (1983-1987) averaged 40.40 yards per punt, which set the school's current single season record. Mitchell's 1984 Panthers finished 3-6-1 and his 1985 team finished 2-6-1. Mitchell's 1986 Panthers finished 4-6. The 1986 Team still holds the school's single season rushing yards record (2,186 yards) and rushing yards per game record (218.3 ypg). The 1987 Panthers finished 3-6. Mitchell's 1988 KWC Football Team finished 4-6, which included the school's first victories over Campbellsville University 41-6 and Depauw University 20-19, The 1989 Panthers , led by Coach Mitchell in his final season, finished 3-6-1. Mitchell's '89 team set the school's current single season records for rushing attempts (510) and rushing touchdowns (22). Mitchell helped build Kentucky Wesleyan's football program from 1983 to 1989 ,but he failed to have a winning season during his tenure at KWC.
1990-1993
Randy Awrey, a 1978 Northern Michigan University graduate, became KWC's second modern day head football coach prior to the 1990 season. Before coming to KWC, Awrey was the Defensive Coordinator from 1986-1989 at NCAA Division III St. Lawrence University. From 1990 to 1993 Awrey led the Panther football team to an overall record of 12-28. Awrey went 0-10 in his inaugural 1990 season. The 0-10 1990 team set the current school record for punt attempts by punting 81 times. Awrey's 1991 Panhers finished the season with a win-loss record of 2-8. Following a 2-8 season, Randy Awrey's 1992 KWC Football Team Finished 4-6. During the '92 season, the Kentucky Wesleyan defense set current school records for interception returns for touchdowns (3) and interception return yards (294). Prior to the 1993 football season, KWC moved from NCAA Division III football into NCAA Division II. In Awrey's final season he led the 1993 KWC football team to a 6-4 record for Kentucky Wesleyan's first winning football season. Awrey's 1993 team set the schools current single season records for passing completion percentage (55.7%) and defensive pass interceptions (21). In 1993, KWC Quarterback Brent Holsclaw (1991-1993) set the school's single season pass completion record with 207 completions. Holsclaw's 1993 55.8% passing completion percentage is also the single season school record. Also in 1993, Panther Defensive Back Troy Crissman (1993-1996) intercepted 9 passes which is the current KWC single season record. During the 1993 season, Troy Crissman's 9 interceptions led all NCAA Division III football players.
1994-2002
Prior to the 1994 football season John Johnson, a 1984 Northern Michigan University graduate and former 3 year Green Bay Packers assistant coach, was hired as the third modern day Head Football Coach at Kentucky Wesleyan College. From 1994 to 2002, Johnson's overall record at NCAA Division II Kentucky Wesleyan was 34-58. During Johnson's tenure, Johnson's overall record against NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, and NAIA teams was a winning record of 34-32. Johnson's 34 wins are the most by any Kentucky Wesleyan Football Coach. During Johnson's tenure KWC played against NCAA Division I-AA competition 26 times. Johnson had two winning seasons as KWC's Head Football Coach, 6-4 in 1997 and 7-4 in 1999. During Johnson's first two seasons he guided the 1994 and 1995 Panthers to 5-5 records. During the 1995 season, Wide Receiver Sedrick Robinson (1993-1996) set single season records for pass receiving yards (1,105), touchdown receptions (17), total points scored (116), and touchdowns scored (17). In 1996 the Panthers finished 3-8 despite having WR Sedrick Robinson catch a single season record 68 passes. Following a 3-8 season, the 1997 Kentucky Wesleyan Football Team opened its season at the University of South Florida in Tampa Stadium. Tampa Stadium was the home of the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1976-1997. The game was the University of South Florida's inaugural football game. The Panthers played in front front of a University of South Florida (home game attendance) and Kentucky Wesleyan College (road game attendance) record crowd of 49,212. The '97 Panthers lost their season opener to the University of South Florida 80-3, but the Panthers finished the 1997 season with a winning record of 6-4. The 1997 6-4 season, gave John Johnson his first winning season as KWC's Head Football Coach. The 1998 Panthers finished the '98 season with a 2-7 record. The '98 team earned its' two victories by going on the road and defeating Concordia University, St. Paul 24-7 and by winning the '98 KWC Homecoming Game 45-22 over Quincy University . Johnson's 1999 KWC football team won the most games in a single season in school history (7 wins). The 1999 team started the season 5-0 and rose to #1 in the NCAA Division II Non-Scholarship Poll by Don Hansen's National Weekly Football Gazette on October 17,1999. The 1999 team started the season with 5 consecutive victories (20-14 at Eureka College , 48-15 versus Bethel College (Tennessee), 30-24 at Thomas More College , 51-35 at Westminster College, and 35-7 at Gannon University ). The 5-0 start in '99 tied a school record for consecutive victories. The '99 Panthers finished 7-4 overall, with 3 of those losses being to NCAA Division I-AA schools. The 1999 Panther Football Team finished the season as the #2 ranked team in NCAA Division II Non-Scholarship by Don Hansen's National Weekly Football Gazette. The 1999 team set school records for total offense (4,521 yards), touchdowns scored (73), tackles for loss (111), and for points scored (333). The '99 Panthers Finished 21st in NCAA Division II Football for Total Offense. Head Coach John Johnson was named the 1999 NCAA Division II Non-Scholarship National Coach of the Year by Don's Hansen's Football Gazette for guiding the Pathers to the most successful football season in school history. Linebacker Nick Boling (1997-2001) led the '99 Panthers with 88 tackles and was named the 1999 NCAA Division II Non-Scholarship Linebacker of the Year by Don Hansen's National Weekly Football Gazette. During the 1999 season, quarterback J.D. Meyers (1996-1999) threw for 25 touchdown passes. Meyers' 25 touchdown passes tied Eric Stockton's (1994-1995) single season school record for touchdown passes. DT Karl Bates (1997-1999), LB Nick Boling, and Punt Retuner Antonio Newton (1998-1999) were named NCAA Division II Mid-Major 1st Team All-Americans by Don Hansen's National Weekly Football Gazette (Quarterback J.D. Meyers and Wide Receiver Corey Jordan were selected as Honorable Mentions). The 2000 Kentucky Wesleyan Football Team finished 4-6 while setting KWC single season offensive records for pass completions (234), passing yards (3,035), passing touchdowns (27), passing yards per game (303.5), receiving yards (3,035), pass receptions (234), and receiving touchdowns (27). The 2000 Panther Offense led by QB Brian Hoffman, RB Drew Hall, FB Nic Vasilchek, TE Shaun Logsdon, WR's Anthony Melvin, Justin Kramer, Michael Cox and Corey Jordan, Offensive Lineman Mark Howell, Adam Fossett, Brian Price, and Jake Colson, finished 10th in NCAA Division II Football for Total Offense (434.4 yards per game). Wide Receiver Corey Jordan (1997-2001) was named the 2000 NCAA Division II Non-Scholarship National Receiver of the Year by Don Hansen's National Weekly Football Gazette. Jordan earned the honor by finishing the 2000 football season with 63 receptions for 890 yards and 13 touchdown receptions. During the 2000 season KWC Running Back Drew Hall (1999-2000) scored 12 rushing touchdowns which set the school's current single season rushing touchdowns record. Hall also averaged 101.2 rushing yards per game during 2000, which is also the school's current single season record. Quarterback Brian Hoffman (2000) set the school's single season record for passing yards by passing for 2,565 yards during the 2000 season. Hoffman's 2000 season average of 256.5 passing yards per game set the single season record. The 2001 Panthers finished their season 1-9 by picking up a victory 35-28 at Quincy University. Following the 2001 season, WR Corey Jordan, LB Vince Brodt (2000-2003),and LB Frank Wintrich (1999-2001), were named NCAA Division II Mid-Major 1st Team All-Americans by Don Hansen's National Weekly Football Gazette. KWC Head Coach John Johnson's 2002 Panthers finished 1-10, while setting the schools current single season record for first downs (237). The lone win in 2002 was a season ending 37-17 victory over Bethel College (Tennessee) on KWC Football Senior Day. Following the 2002 season, Panther Defensive Tackle Tommy Oglesby (1999-2002) was chosen as a first team defensive tackle on the 2002 All-Alliance Team by the NCAA Division II Independent Football Alliance. Also following the 2002 season, Offensive Lineman Jake Colson (1998-2002) was selected as a NCAA Division II Mid-Major 1st Team All-American by Don Hansen's National Weekly Football Gazette. Following consecutive one win seasons, John Johnson's tenure at Kentucky Wesleyan ended Jan 1st 2003.
John Johnson's Former KWC Panthers in The Arena Football League
Three of John Johnson's former Kentucky Wesleyan Football players have played in the Arena Football League(AFL). Former KWC Wide Receiver Anthony Payton (1994-19966) played four seasons in the AFL for New Jersey RedDogs (2000 and 2001), Buffalo Destoyers (2003), and Las Vegas Gladiators (2005). Panther standout Defensive Lineman Karl Bates (1997-1999) played seven seasons in the AFL for the Houston Thunderbears (2000 and 2001), New Jersey Gladiators (2002), Las Vegas Gladiators (2003), Detroit Fury (2004), Las Vegas Gladiators (2005), and San Jose SaberCats(2006). Panther Wide Receiver Sedrick Robinson (1993-1996) has played seven years in the AFL for the Houston Thunderbears (2001), New Jersey Gladiators (2002), Las Vegas Gladiators (2003), Columbus Destroyers (2004 and 2005), and Austin Wraglers (2006 and 2007).
2003-PRESENT
Current Head Coach (2007) Brent Holsclaw, a former Kentucky Wesleyan Quarterback, was hired as the fourth modern day Kentucky Wesleyan Head Football Coach in January 2002. Following the 2007 football season, Holsclaw's overall record at Kentucky Wesleyan is 11-42. In Holsclaw's first season as KWC's Head Football Coach, Holscalw's 2003 Panthers finished 1-9. The 2003 team defated Webber International University at home 33-30 in overtime for their lone win. Holsclaw's best season to date, came in 2004 when the Panthers finished 4-7 overall as first year members of the NAIA Mid-South Conference. The Panthers were members of the NAIA Mid-South Conference in 2004 and 2005. During the 2004 season, Holsclaw's Panthers upset Campbellsville University 28-24. Prior to the 28-24 loss, Campbellsville was ranked #21 in the NAIA football top 25. The 2004 Panthers also defeated Cumberland University 17-9 on the road, beat Union College 16-13 at Bullet Wilson Field,which gave possession of the John Wesley Trophy back to KWC , and The Panthers won the seaon finale versus Belhaven 17-14 at Bullet Wilson Field. The 2004 Panthers set the school's single season records for total tackles (632.5) and tackles for loss (113.5) The 2005 Panthers in their second season in the NAIA Mid-South Conference finished the 2005 season with an overall win-loss record of 3-7. In 2005, KWC Running Back Letiz Arnold gained 839 rushing yards on 149 carries. Arnold's 839 rushing yards broke Antonio Newton's (1998-1999) 1998 single season school record of 820 rushing yards. Arnolds 149 carries also set the school's single season record. Prior to the 2006 season, Kentucky Wesleyan left the NAIA and returned to NCAA Division II. KWC also became a charter member of the Great Lakes Football Conference. The 2006 Panthers finished 0-11, the eleven losses were the most in school history. The 2007 KWC Football Team finished 3-8 overall including a 1-4 record in the Great Lakes Football Conference. The Panthers started the 2007 season 0-4. The Panthers won their fifth game of the season, defeating Kentucky Christian University 47-0 at Bullet Wilson Field/Steele Stadium. The 47-0 victory over KCU ended Kentucky Wesleyan's and Head Coach Brent Holsclaw's 17 game losing streak. The shutout was the first shutout recorded by the Panthers since the 1992 season. Strong Safety Greg Embers was named Great Lakes Football Conference Defensive Player of Week 6 by recording a game high 8 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, and a quarterback sack. KWC traveled to Lincoln University (Missouri) for Lincoln's homecoming during Week 8 of the 2007 season. The KWC Panthers defeated Lincoln 35-13 for the Panthers second victory of the season and their first ever GLFC win. Quarterback Chris Owen was named Great Lakes Football Conference Offensive Player of Week 8 by rushing for 54 yards on 8 carries with 2 touchdowns while also completing 19 of 32 passes for 247 yards and another touchdown. The Panthers won their third game of the 2007 season by defeating LaGrange College 35-21. The 2007 season ended with a loss at Missouri-Rolla, ending the Panthers season with a 3-8 (1-4 GLFC) record. Several Panthers received 2007 post-season honors. D2Football.com named six Panthers to the D2Football.com All-Independent team. Safety Greg Embers received first-team honors. He finished second on the team in tackles (73.5) and tackles for loss with (12). Embers also finised the 2007 season with two sacks, one interception, one pass breakup, forced four fumbles and recovered two fumbles. Ron Rapier (Free Safety), DaMarcus Ganaway (Wide Receiver 3rd team kick return), and Alex Temple (Defensive End) were named to the D2Football.com second team. Alex Temple (2004-2007) finished his KWC career as the all-time leader in sacks (31.5) and tackles for loss (65). Clay Durham (LB) and Brandon Hodnett (K) were named to the D2Football.com third team. Nine KWC Panthers were named to the 2007 All-Great Lakes Football Conference team following Kentucky Wesleyan's second season in the Great Lakes Football Conference. Alex Temple was named as a first-team defensive end. Wide Receivers DaMarcus Ganaway and Josh Smith were named to the GLFC second team. Clay Durham, Greg Embers, Kenneth Lewis, Josh Abell, Matt Grey and Joel Lopez were named to as honorable mentions.
Football Career Leaders
Former KWC Running Back Jeremy Sleet (1994-1997) is the school's all-time rushing leader with 1,853 career rushing yards. Sleet is also the schools career leader in rushing attempts (363). Running Back Bobby Ratcliff (1991-94) is the career rushing touchdowns leader (23). Quarterback J.D. Meyers (1996-1999) is the school's all-time leader in pass attempts (1,033), pass completions (519), passing yards (7,440), and passing touchdowns (64). Former UConn and KWC Quarterback Brian Hoffman (2000) is KWC's career leader in passing percentage (54.1%) Wide Receiver Sedrick Robinson (1993-1996) is the KWC football career leader in receiving yards (3,328), receptions (191), touchdown receptions (42), all purpose yards (5,601), total points scored (298), touchdowns scored (46), kick return yards (1772), and kick return touchdowns (2). Defensive Back Ryan Davis (1991-1994) is the school's career leader in interceptions (21) and interception return yards (298). Linebacker Brian Sieder (1994-1997) is the career leader in tackles (347). Defensive End Alex Temple (2004-2007) is the KWC football career leader in quarterback sacks (31.5) and tackles for loss (65). Kicker Shawn Payne holds the career field goals made record with 22 field goals made from 2001-2004. Punter Steve Wolf (1983-1986) is Kentucky Wesleyan's All-Time Leading Punter in punting yards (7,401) , punting attempts (193) and average yards per punt (38.35)
Kentucky Wesleyan's Great Lakes Valley Championship teams
Kentucky Wesleyan College Athletic Teams have won eighteen (18) Great Lakes Valley Conference Championships. The Kentucky Wesleyan College Softball Team won three GLVC Championships in the 80's (1984, 1986, and 1989)and in 1994. The KWC Men's Golf Team won the Great Lakes Valley Conference in 1983. Kentucky Wesleyan's Men's Basketball Team has won 13 GLVC Championships.
Notable alumni
- A. J. Smith - Executive Vice President and General Manager of the San Diego Chargers
- Jody Richards - Speaker of the House, Kentucky House of Representatives
- G. Lindsey Davis - bishop of the United Methodist Church
- Stanley Forman Reed - former justice of the United States Supreme Court
- Urban Valentine Williams Darlington - former bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South
- Edward Lewis Tullis- former bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South and the United Methodist Church
- Roy Hunter Short - former Bishop of The Methodist Church and the United Methodist Church
- Benjamin T. Spencer