History:

In 1883, a small band of Methodist settlers meeting in Dakota Territory secured a charter to found the college that has become Dakota Wesleyan University. These hardy pioneers were driven to "build a college of stone while living in houses of sod."

Now, nearly 125 years later, DWU is still committed to transforming the lives of students.

A small, private university located in Mitchell, S.D., DWU aspires to excellence in the liberal arts and professional programs. As the university for the Dakotas Conference of The United Methodist Church, Dakota Wesleyan encourages the dialogue between mind and soul, simultaneously building relationships, developing whole persons, and promoting service to God and humanity.

With more than 750 students, the student-to-faculty ratio is 14:1. DWU is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, and is also accredited or approved by the following: South Dakota State Department of Education, South Dakota Board of Nursing, United Methodist University Senate and National League for Nursing.

Service is an integral part of a Dakota Wesleyan education. 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 which 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 in the United States and to other countries.

The gem of the DWU campus is the George and Eleanor McGovern Library and Center for Leadership and Public Service. The building opened in 2007 and is named for named for George McGovern, DWU class of 1946, and his late wife, Eleanor, who also attended DWU. The building is the campus library but also contains the McGovern Legacy Museum and the center for leadership and public service. The center has helped DWU to create a culture of service to the common good and provide educational programs on leadership and public service through a variety of curricular and cocurricular avenues. Service and leadership are interwoven with DWU’s other programs, including nursing, education and business.

Dakota Wesleyan University has many distinguished alumni. In addition to McGovern, there have been two other United States senators, six college presidents, many United Methodist pastors, leaders of numerous corporations and churches, and award-winning teachers.

Students come from the Midwest and other locations around the United States, and DWU has enjoyed students from Japan, Curacao, Yugoslavia, Ireland and Mexico.

Situated on the prairie and founded to serve the Dakota Territory's brave pioneers, Dakota Wesleyan University continues to inspire today’s pioneers and serve as a link between a proud heritage and the bright possibilities of the future.