Wheaton College. A private Evangelical Christian liberal arts college located in Wheaton, Illinois, a suburb approximately 25 miles west of Chicago. Founded in 1860 by evangelical abolitionists, the college is known for its rigorous academics, strong Christian values, and historical significance as a stop on the Underground Railroad.
Wheaton College traces its origins to the Illinois Institute, founded in 1853 by Wesleyan Methodists. In 1860, Jonathan Blanchard, a staunch abolitionist and former president of Knox College, took leadership of the financially struggling institution. He renamed it Wheaton College in honor of trustee Warren L. Wheaton, who founded the town of Wheaton.
Abolitionist Movement
The college played a significant role in the abolitionist movement and served as a stop on the Underground Railroad. Under Blanchard’s leadership, Wheaton became one of Illinois’ first institutions to offer college-level education for women and graduated Edward Breathitte Sellers, one of the state’s first African-American college graduates, in 1866.
Wheaton College offers a broad liberal arts curriculum with a strong emphasis on integrating faith and learning. It is affiliated with organizations such as the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities and the Consortium of Liberal Arts Colleges.
The college is home to the Conservatory of Music, an internationally recognized institution within an Evangelical school of higher education. The Meyer Science Center houses modern facilities for science departments, including biology, chemistry, physics, and geology.
Campus
The campus features National Register of Historic Places influenced by Jonathan Blanchard’s admiration for Oxford University. Its centerpiece is Blanchard Hall, built in 1853 and expanded multiple times into its current castle-like structure. Blanchard Hall is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
Leadership and Financials
- President: Philip Ryken
- Endowment: $610 million (2024)
- Student Body: Approximately 2,799 students (2023), including 2,119 undergraduates and 680 postgraduates.
- Motto: Christo et Regno Ejus (“For Christ and His Kingdom”)
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