LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Roberts Wesleyan College upon the
occasion of celebrating its 150th Anniversary

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend those institutions of true purpose and high achievement whose
exemplary programs and accomplishments clearly demonstrate an enduring
pursuit of excellence in higher education for the youth of this noble
Empire State; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Roberts
Wesleyan College, in Rochester, New York, upon the occasion of celebrat-
ing its 150th Anniversary; and
WHEREAS, For 150 years, Roberts Wesleyan College has been committed to
character development, Christ-centered education, transformational
learning and service; the College's three fundamental values include
scholarship, spiritual formation and service, and strategic focus on
transformational experiences, as well as engaged service and innovative
programs; and
WHEREAS, With an enrollment of 1,712 students and a tradition of
excellence since 1866, the college strives to inspire students to trans-
form themselves and the world, by offering more than 50 undergraduate
programs taught by high quality, supportive faculty and graduate
programs in business, education, health administration, healthcare
informatics administration, marketing, nursing, school counseling and
school psychology, and social work; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, innovative undergraduate degree-completion
programs are also available for working adults in health administration,
nursing, criminal justice, organizational management and teacher educa-
tion; and
WHEREAS, In 2015, Roberts Wesleyan College was recognized as one of
the Great Colleges to Work For by THE CHRONICLE; and
WHEREAS, Roberts Wesleyan College's storied history began in 1866,
when The Reverend B.T. Roberts, the first bishop of the Free Methodist
Church, founded Chili Seminary, which later became Roberts Wesleyan
College; he designed the school in hopes of preparing well-educated
young people to become servant-leaders of high character which he felt
were greatly needed in America; and
WHEREAS, In 1869, Chili Seminary was authorized for public academic
instruction, and in 1885, the name was changed to A.M. Chesbrough Semi-
nary, and then to Roberts Junior College; and
WHEREAS, Over six decades later, the school was granted senior college
status and Wesleyan was added to the name to designate Free Methodist
affiliation; three years later, courses were registered and the charter
was made permanent; in 1964, the college attained regional accredi-
tation; and
WHEREAS, In 1998, the Trustees of Roberts Wesleyan College founded
Northeastern Seminary on its campus as a graduate school of theology to
prepare women and men for Christian ministry, both lay and ordained; the
Seminary endeavors to prepare its students for ministry in today's
modern culture; and
WHEREAS, For 150 years, Roberts Wesleyan College, through its rich
Christian heritage and dedication to "education for character," has
equipped thoughtful, spiritually mature, service-oriented people who
will help transform society, by integrating a Christian worldview and
learning into everyday life and work; and
WHEREAS, Today, under the visionary guidance of Dr. Deana L. Porter-
field, Roberts Wesleyan College stands proud and prominent, always look-

ing to the future and the needs of those it serves; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 150th Anniversary of Roberts Wesleyan College, noting
the propriety of its goals, the constancy of its commitment and the
significance of its accomplishments in preparing the youth of today and
leaders of tomorrow; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Dr. Deana L. Porterfield, Roberts Wesleyan College.