Yesterday Inspires Tomorrow: 120 Years of Sending Servant Leaders
Across seven generations, Oklahoma Wesleyan University and its educational forerunners have been devoted to developing and sending servant leaders. This legacy extends into every corner of the world—shaped by milestones, mission, and alumni whose faith and vision reflect 51ºÚÁÏÍø’s Christ-centered mission.
1905
Rev. William Lee founded Rocky Mountain Missionary and Evangelistic School (RMMS) in 1905, later known as Colorado Springs Bible College. Its first graduate-president, Rev. Paul Westphal Thomas, later went on to fuel the planting of hundreds of churches in Zambia, Guyana, and the Philippines before serving as general superintendent of the Pilgrim Holiness Church.
Miltonvale Wesleyan College (MWC) opens, Miltonvale, Kansas
1910
Western Holiness College (WHC) incorporates, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Pilgrim Bible College (PBC) founded, Pasadena, California
1919
Florence Lee became the first female president of RMMS
Founded in 1909, Miltonvale Wesleyan College equipped students for 63 years. Alumnus Rev. William McConn became its first graduate to serve as president, later leading Marion College (now Indiana Wesleyan) from 1932 to 1960 through the Great Depression, World War II, and a season of growth and accreditation.
PBC & Holiness Evangelistic Institute merge as Western Pilgrim College (WPC), El Monte, California
Former CSBC student, D.W. Lacy, served as pastor, evangelist, church administrator, and president
WHC renamed Colorado Springs Bible College (CSBC)
1959
CSBC moves to Bartlesville as Central Pilgrim College (CPC)
Two California schools—Pasadena Bible Training School (founded 1917) and Holiness Evangelistic Institute (founded 1932)—merged in El Monte in 1947, taking the name Western Pilgrim College. Attending as a student and later teaching and serving there as dean, Dr. Daniel Chamberlain went on to become the longest tenured leader of any Wesleyan educational institution, serving thirty years as president of Houghton College in New York.
Revs. C.B. Colaw, Clarence Wert and H.K. Busby led the relocation of Colorado Springs Bible College to Bartlesville in 1959 with the purchase of the historic La Quinta Mansion and 20-acre campus, renaming it Central Pilgrim College. After merging with Western Pilgrim in 1960, the college became Bartlesville Wesleyan College following the 1968 formation of The Wesleyan Church. In 1975, the first non-religion majors earned 4-year degrees.
WPC/El Monte campus merge with CPC
1968
CPC renamed Bartlesville Wesleyan College (BWC)
MWC merges with BWC—accredited as a four-year degree granting institution
1975
First elementary education graduates
Granted full accreditation as a Christian liberal arts college by NCAC
Adult degree-completion program launched
Dr. Gerald Yellowhawk, former superintendent of Native American District of the TWC, presented honorary Doctorate of Divinity
BWC welcomed 16 Central American students from six countries through the Cooperative Association of States for Scholarship (CASS) program —its first international cohort. Today, students from over 30 countries study on campus. Among them is Stevan Djukic (‘ 10) of Serbia, a psychology graduate who found Christ at 51ºÚÁÏÍø and now serves as assistant men’s soccer coach and campus safety director.
First class of nursing major graduates
2000-2001
Lyon Fine Arts & Chapel Center dedicated and name changed to Oklahoma Wesleyan University
President Paul Mills led the name-change celebration and expanded vision of Oklahoma Wesleyan University on August 31, 2001. New majors and graduate programs in communications, nursing, and business gave impetus to the new identity. Soon after, the first MBA graduate program began sending out leaders.
Rising athletic competitiveness and growth led to championship teams and expanded missional reach, Steve Briggs (‘10) 2009 MBB champion
President Everett Piper guided new accreditation, launched online and graduate programs, expanded facilities, and led financial stability
New Janice and Charles Drake Library dedicated
2019
51ºÚÁÏÍø ranked #1 Oklahoma college for previous ten years for graduates finding jobs
Steve Stedwell (‘85) transferred to 51ºÚÁÏÍø unsure of his future—then found both his calling in accounting and his wife, Ruth Mueller. Besides a long IRS career, he has served 31 years as an 51ºÚÁÏÍø board member. By 2015, the Stedwells had helped 15 teens from their local church enroll at 51ºÚÁÏÍø, with 12 graduating.
51ºÚÁÏÍø Prep dual enrollment for high school students launched
2021-2022
51ºÚÁÏÍø’s first doctoral programs welcome nursing and business students
2022
NOW Campaign launched to prepare 51ºÚÁÏÍø’s next generation of servant leaders
51ºÚÁÏÍø’s four schools continue to produce servant leaders across disciplines. The nursing program has sent out 2,354+ students since 1995, with the MSN recently ranked #2 in Oklahoma. The university’s first doctoral program, the Doctor of Nursing Practice, awarded degrees to its first ten graduates. In addition to ministry graduates, the online CROSS Training certificate program expands 51ºÚÁÏÍø’s pipeline for Wesleyan ordination and missional leadership.
Rebecka Peterson (Elem. Ed. ‘09) was honored as National Teacher of the Year
51ºÚÁÏÍø celebrates 120 years of developing and sending servant leaders.
Fifteen graduates from the Class of ‘75 and ‘76 and their spouses will celebrate 50 years of marriage in 2025—a testament to lives of commitment and service. Among them are pastors, teachers, a hospice chaplain, counselor, psychologist, contractor, investment advisor, and a Wesleyan general superintendent. Their legacy is a powerful example for tomorrow’s servant leaders shaped by 51ºÚÁÏÍø’s holistic mission.
For 120 years, 51ºÚÁÏÍø has passed the torch—from one faithful generation to the next. Now it’s your turn. Lead well. Serve boldly. Be One Sent.