Roberts Wesleyan University

Roberts Wesleyan University is a private Christian university located in Rochester, New York, specifically in the suburban town of North Chili. As the first educational institution established for Free Methodists in North America, the university is committed to a "Christian liberal arts" mission that balances high-level professional training with character development. Roberts Wesleyan serves a residential and commuter community, offering over 90 undergraduate, graduate, and adult degree-completion programs. The university is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU) and is recognized for its supportive, faith-integrated environment where students are encouraged to be "thoughtful, spiritually mature, and service-oriented."

The university was founded in 1866 as Chili Seminary by Benjamin Titus Roberts, an American Methodist bishop and social activist who was a prominent advocate for abolition and women's rights. Roberts established the school on his own farm with the goal of providing a Christian education to children regardless of their economic background, originally operating out of a single room in his farmhouse. The institution underwent several name changes as it grew, becoming Chesbrough Seminary in 1885 and Roberts Junior College in 1945 to honor its founder. In 1949, it transitioned to a four-year institution known as Roberts Wesleyan College, and in September 2022, it officially achieved university status, reflecting its expanded doctoral offerings and global reach.

Roberts Wesleyan University stands as a modern, forward-thinking institution that remains deeply anchored in its 19th-century Free Methodist foundations. By evolving from a one-room farm seminary into a comprehensive university with elite status in both athletics and technology, it demonstrates a unique ability to adapt to the 21st-century job market without sacrificing its spiritual mission. Its emphasis on "servant leadership" ensures that graduates are prepared to be "flourishing people" who make meaningful contributions to their local and global communities. For students seeking an education that addresses the "entire person"—physically, socially, and spiritually—Roberts Wesleyan remains a premier and transformative choice.