Dear Parents and Family:
Welcome to Dakota Wesleyan University and to a rich educational
tradition that stretches back to the earliest of days in South Dakota.
For over
120 years, Dakota Wesleyan University has graduated thousands of men
and women who have contributed significantly to state and regional
development and to society at large. Together, the university, Mitchell,
and central South Dakota provide uniquely rich resources that we hope
our students take full advantage of during their time here.
Dakota Wesleyan
University emphasizes student learning, leadership development, faith
exploration, and service to others. Our students
represent a wealth of backgrounds and experiences. We strive to provide
wonderful living and learning opportunities for all of our students.
In
the United Methodist tradition, Dakota Wesleyan University aspires
to be a leading university that educates students to identify and
develop their individual talents for successful lives in service to
God and
the common good.
This publication is a family handbook designed to
familiarize you with the university’s resources and to assist
with the transition students are about to make as they enter college.
Please read this
handbook, participate in Family Orientation and Family Weekend, and
contact the campus life department if you have any questions.
My prayer
is that you understand and actively support DWU’s
efforts to educate fully developed and well-rounded human beings who
contribute to the common good of all society’s members and thereby
realize the decades-old goal of Wesleyan education.
Sincerely,
Gwenda
Koch
Vice President of Campus Life
Vision Statement
Dakota Wesleyan University aspires to be a leading university that educates
students to identify and develop their individual talents for successful
lives in service to God and the common good.
Values
| Learning |
We affirm the power of ideas, the pursuit of excellence, and
a personal and collaborative approach to liberal arts education.
|
We promise you will have the opportunity to stretch
your mind through unique opportunities and partnerships.
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We promise you will continue your lifelong journey
of self-discovery and growth at Dakota Wesleyan University.
|
| Leadership |
We challenge our students, faculty, and staff to be leaders of
character who will maximize their talents for the common good.
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We promise you will have opportunities to be a leader,
regardless of your personal interests.
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We promise faculty and staff will be encouraged and
supported in pursuing leadership positions on and off campus.
|
| Faith |
As a faith-affirming community, we embrace John Wesley's model
of uniting knowledge, reason, and vital faith in curricular and
co-curricular activities.
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We promise spiritual development will be part of your
education, in and out of the classroom.
|
We promise to help you develop a foundation for your
lifelong spiritual growth.
|
| Service |
We inspire and empower our students, faculty and staff to use
their talents to serve God and humanity.
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We promise you will have the opportunity
to feel the joy, challenges and inspiration that come with
serving others.
|
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We promise that at the end of your education
at Dakota Wesleyan University, you will know your best self
and you will be prepared to use your gifts to change the world. |
Dakota Wesleyan University – A Proud
Heritage
Dakota was still a territory in 1885 when the Dakota Conference of
the Methodist Church voted to establish Dakota Wesleyan University
in Mitchell (known as Dakota University until Oct. 14, 1904). These
pioneers had deep religious convictions about the education and future
of their children. So they lived in houses of sod on the Dakota prairie
as they forged ahead with their dream of building this institution
of stone.
The founders of Dakota Wesleyan University envisioned an institution
that epitomized the highest Christian thought and deed, and so adopted
the motto, “Sacrifice or Service.” This is depicted in
the collegiate seal of the altar, the ox and the plow – symbols
for these concepts. To this day, those associated with DWU endeavor
to carry out its mission of service to God and humanity.
Now, more than 120 years later, DWU is still committed to transforming
the lives of students.
With fewer than 800 students, Dakota Wesleyan University has a reputation
for caring and concern toward its students. The student-to-faculty
ratio (14:1) allows our faculty to get to know each student on a personal
basis, providing mentorship, guidance and professional collaboration
as essential parts of the education process. Students come from the
Midwest and other locations around the United States. DWU has also
welcomed many international students, most recently from Curacaos,
Brazil, Ireland, Venezuela and Canada.
An essential aspect of a Dakota Wesleyan University education is service.
Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to participate in service
projects in the community and around the state. Past projects have
included serving meals at the Love Feast, an organization that provides
free meals to less fortunate members of the community; building furniture
for a Bosnian refugee family; working on a home for Habitat for Humanity;
and collecting school supplies and books for needy children. Groups
have participated in mission trips both in the United States and other
countries.
DWU’s rich tradition of service enters the 21st
century with the inauguration of the George
and Eleanor McGovern Library and Center for Leadership and Public Service.
The life and work of George McGovern-DWU class of 1946 and former professor
of history at DWU-his wife Eleanor, epitomize this tradition of service.
The McGovern Center for Leadership and Public Service creates a culture
of service to the common good and provides educational programs on
public service and leadership through a variety of curricular
and co- curricular avenues, interwoven with many of DWU’s academic
programs, including nursing, education and business. The McGovern Library
houses the McGovern Archives and is a rich source of information and
inspiration for those interested in public service, the alleviation
of hunger and poverty, and political activism. The McGovern Library
is also home to the campus bookstore, Java City coffee house and a
24 hour multimedia lab.
