0 Bagpipers and Houghton University graduates walking down campus path during graduation ceremony.

The Wesleyan Churchโ€™s Oldest Established College Becomes Houghton University

July 11, 2022

Following the approval of the New York State Board of Regents, Houghton College has become Houghton University.

The oldest established higher education institution of The Wesleyan Church, an evangelical holiness denomination, Houghton embodies the historic meaning of โ€œevangelical.โ€ As a result, Houghton maintains that the Bible is the fully inspired and inerrant Word of God; that Jesusโ€™ death on the cross alone makes the redemption of humanity possible; and that Christians are called to lives of Gospel proclamation, holy living, disciple-making and Christian service.ย 

“…our focus and commitment as a Christ-centered institution in the Wesleyan tradition that intentionally integrates our Christian faith with academic excellence has never wavered. That commitment today is as strong as ever. With this transition, we move courageously and prayerfully into Houghtonโ€™s next chapter of service, innovation and excellence.”

President Wayne Lewis

โ€œThis is an important moment in the history of our institution,โ€ said Wayne D. Lewis, Jr., President of Houghton. โ€œThroughout our history โ€“ whether Houghton Seminary at our founding by The Wesleyan Church (then Wesleyan Methodist Connection), Houghton College most recently or Houghton University as of today โ€“ our focus and commitment as a Christ-centered institution in the Wesleyan tradition that intentionally integrates our Christian faith with academic excellence has never wavered. That commitment today is as strong as ever. With this transition, we move courageously and prayerfully into Houghtonโ€™s next chapter of service, innovation and excellence.โ€ย 

Historic sepia photo of Houghton University campus.

Houghton’s missionโ€”to provide a pathway for individuals to radically alter the social and economic trajectory of their lives through a high-quality, Christ-centered educationโ€”began in 1883 with the residents of Allegany County and grew to include students from 37 states and 17 countries.

“The Wesleyan Church has had an emphasis on higher education from its beginning,” said Rev. Dr. Joey Jennings ’86, member of the board of trustees and superintendent of the Western New York District of The Wesleyan Church. “A Houghton education is able to provide a biblically centered framework with excellence in academics. Our ability to put those two together enables the church to be stronger because we’re thinking deeper about the issues our culture is facing. โ€˜Universityโ€™ represents well what we are doing at Houghton.โ€

Houghton continues to improve educational access through the recent tuition reset, which made it the best-priced Christian college in the nation*; college courses offered fully online and in Buffalo; and early college courses for high school students. This change in Houghtonโ€™s status elevates the institutionโ€™s efforts to improve access, particularly for international students.

Learn more about the transition to Houghton University

โ€œThis is the right time for Houghton to fully embody not just the structure and rigor of a university but also the name,โ€ remarked John Lee, former chair of Houghtonโ€™s board of trustees. “This name accurately reflects Houghtonโ€™s legacy of academic excellence and better positions the institution to serve a diverse student body and realize our competitive advantage as a Christian university in Western New York.”

A task force led by Dr. JoAnne Barnes, Houghton trustee, and Jason Towers, vice president for enrollment and marketing, recommended the change following the move by the New York State Board of Regents to establish new criteria for university status earlier this year. This team, comprising representatives of the faculty, staff, administration and current students, sought input from multiple constituent groups and presented Lewis with a recommendation to amend the charter of Houghton University. The Board of Trustees unanimously approved Lewisโ€™ recommendation of the change at the April meeting, and final approval was received following Julyโ€™s meeting of the Board of Regents.

“As we write this next chapter of Houghtonโ€™s story,โ€ Lewis remarked, โ€œHoughton University is well-positioned to provide prospective students and families with a Christ-centered university option that intentionally integrates faith development with superior academic preparation. As has been the case throughout our history, Houghton graduates will continue to positively impact the world.โ€

Houghton students, alumni and friends will gather virtually to celebrate this new university status on Tuesday, July 19, the 197th birthday of the institutionโ€™s founder, Willard J. Houghton.

*Based on the most recent tuition survey by the Council of Christian Colleges & Universities

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