Wayland Baptist University

Wayland Baptist University, founded in 1908, stands as the oldest institution of higher education in continuous existence on the High Plains of Texas. With a deep commitment to its Baptist heritage and the motto "Better Together / Let There Be Light," Wayland provides a robust educational experience for its 9,341 students. The university is known for its strong community, its expansion with ten satellite campuses across the U.S., and a history marked by both resilience and progress.

The university's history is particularly significant for its pioneering spirit. During the Great Depression, leaders and faculty famously continued educating students, foregoing pay and trusting in their mission. More remarkably, in 1951, three years before Brown v. Board of Education, Wayland Baptist University became the first four-year liberal arts college in the former Confederate states to voluntarily integrate, welcoming Annie Taylor as its first Black student. This act cemented its place as a trailblazer in educational equity.

Academically, Wayland Baptist University offers a wide array of programs across its eight schools, including the School of Mathematics and Sciences, the School of Business, and the School of Nursing. These programs are designed to equip students with practical skills and a strong foundational education, accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Texas Education Agency. The School of Math and Sciences, for instance, provides diverse degrees from biology to pre-engineering, supported by dedicated faculty in the Moody Science Building.

Students at Wayland Baptist join a diverse and growing community, benefiting from a rich blend of tradition and forward-thinking education. While the university operates under its religious principles, which in 2015 led to an exception to Title IX regarding LGBT students, it continues to evolve. The recent appointment of Donna Hedgepath as the first woman president in 2024 signals a new chapter for this historic institution, dedicated to nurturing students to serve and lead.