PLAINVIEW, TX — Wayland Baptist University celebrated the successful opening of its new Irving teaching location Saturday, Aug. 8, welcoming students for a ribbon cutting and orientation as the university expands its presence in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.
About 60 students attended the new student orientation in person, while more than 700 watched through the university’s livestream. The opening comes amid strong interest in Wayland’s international programs.
“This is an extraordinary time of growth for our already very successful programs, and we are so thankful for our partnerships in Irving,” said Dr. Donna Hedgepath, president of Wayland Baptist University. “Our students in the Metroplex are excited that we now have an additional location closer to their home.”
The new location, housed at Irving’s First Methodist Church, primarily supports Wayland’s international programs, which offer hybrid master’s and doctoral classes. The Irving site provides another location for students in the Metroplex to complete the in-person portions of those programs.
Saturday’s activities began with a ribbon cutting featuring Dr. Hedgepath and members of her cabinet, students, representatives of Wayland’s Board of Trustees, faculty, international programs personnel, and representatives of Irving’s First Methodist Church.
Students then moved into the church auditorium for a 45-minute orientation to Wayland and their academic programs. The session was followed by refreshments and a question-and-answer period.
Several Wayland graduates who live in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and completed their degrees through the university’s San Antonio campus also attended the event. They welcomed the new students and encouraged them as they began their Wayland experience.
Online classes for Fall 1 began Monday, Aug. 10. Students return to the Irving location in September for a two-day residency to complete the term.
