While a university’s history is deeply entrenched in its people, the major milestones along our century of existence have served as stakes in the road to mark memorable times in Wayland’s history. The following timeline represents major administrative, building and program changes along the way.
1906 Staked Plains Baptist Association begins raising funds for a college, adding to $10,000 and 25 acres of land donated by pioneer physician Dr. James H. Wayland.
1908 Wayland Literary and Technical Institute chartered by the state of Texas,
Dr. I.E. Gates hired as first president
1910 Classes begin in Matador Hall as construction continues on Gates Hall
College becomes Wayland Baptist College
1911 First student graduates from Wayland College, Gates Hall completed
1914 Wayland affiliates with the Baptist General Convention of Texas
1915 Dr. Oren L. Hailey becomes president
1916 Dr. R. E. L. Farmer becomes president
1919 Dr. Elmer Atwood becomes president
1923 Dr. George W. McDonald promoted from math professor to president
1929 Stock Market Crash ushers in the Great Depression and world economic crisis
1930 J. Lindsey Nunn Gymnasium completed
1947 Dr. James W. “Bill” Marshall becomes president
1948 Wayland becomes a four-year college, mascot changes to Pioneers
McDonald Hall dormitory for men completed, Agnes Mays Hall for women completed
International Choir founded
1949 President’s Home is completed at corner of 8th and Smythe
1951 Wayland becomes first four-year school in the former confederate states to voluntarily integrate, admitting four African-American students
1953 Dr. A. Hope Owen becomes president
1956 Wayland receives full accreditation by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
1963 Dr. Roy C. McClung becomes president
1964 J.V. Hilliard Field constructed for track program
1970 Harral Memorial Auditorium completed on campus
1971 Hutcherson Physical Education Center completed on campus
1972 Wayland’s first external campus program begins in Lubbock
1974 Wayland opens external campus in Wichita Falls.
1976 Wayland opens external campus in Amarillo.
1979 Wayland opens external campus in Honolulu, Hawaii.
1981 Dr. David Jester becomes president.
Wayland moves from college to university status
1984 Wayland opens external campus in San Antonio
1985 Wayland opens external campus in Alaska
1987 Dr. Glenn Barnett becomes interim president
1989 Dr. Lanny Hall becomes president
1991 Dr. Wallace E. Davis, Jr. becomes president
1991 Wayland opens external campus in Phoenix, Ariz.
1997 Wayland opens external campus in Sierra Vista, Ariz. and Clovis, N.M.
1999 Wayland opens external campus in Albuquerque, N.M., begins partnership with Kenya Baptist Theological College
David & Myrt Wilder Field opened for baseball program
2001 Dr. Paul W. Armes becomes president
Wayland opens external campus in Altus, Okla. and begins offering courses online through Virtual Campus
2008 Pete & Nelda Laney Student Activities Center is dedicated on the Plainview campus
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