Wingate University
Wingate University is a private institution located in Wingate, North Carolina, founded in 1896 by Baptist associations from North and South Carolina to provide literacy education from primary grades through high school.[1] Originally named after Baptist leader Washington Manly Wingate, it transitioned from a preparatory school to a junior college in 1923, a four-year baccalaureate institution in 1979, and achieved university status under later leadership, severing formal ties with the Baptist State Convention while retaining a Judeo-Christian heritage.[1] The university now enrolls over 3,400 students across undergraduate and graduate programs on its main campus in Wingate and a satellite campus in Hendersonville, North Carolina, with 72% of students pursuing undergraduate degrees.[2] The university's motto, "Faith, Knowledge, Service," reflects its commitment to developing ethical citizens through a curriculum that includes 37 undergraduate majors, nine pre-professional programs, and advanced degrees, particularly in healthcare fields such as pharmacy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and physician assistant studies.[2][3] Wingate emphasizes practical application of learning, with popular undergraduate majors in biology, psychology, exercise science, criminal justice, and sport management.[2] Academically, it maintains accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and has been recognized for workplace quality and athletic excellence.[2] In athletics, Wingate fields 28 NCAA Division II teams as the Bulldogs, competing primarily in the South Atlantic Conference, with nearly one in four undergraduates participating as student-athletes; the program has earned the South Atlantic Conference Echols Athletic Excellence Award for 17 consecutive years and leads NCAA Division II in Academic All-America honorees since 2000.[2][4] Under President Rhett Brown, who assumed office in 2015, the university has experienced enrollment growth, including an 8% overall increase and 19% in undergraduates over five years.[2][5]
History
Founding and early years
Wingate University traces its origins to 1896, when the Baptist associations of Union County, North Carolina, and Chesterfield County, South Carolina, established the institution to address educational deficiencies in the Piedmont region following the Civil War.[6][1] Local Baptist leader G. M. Steward donated 10 acres of land near the Seaboard Air Line Railway and Meadow Branch Baptist Church, selected for its accessibility and natural features including oak trees and a spring.[6][7] The school was named Wingate School in honor of Washington Manly Wingate, the late president of Wake Forest College who had died in 1894, with the name suggested by the son of an inaugural trustee.[8][6] It opened its doors in August 1896, initially functioning as an academy providing literacy education from grades 1 through 12.[1][8] Under the leadership of first principal Marcus B. Dry and teacher Polly Crowder, the school enrolled 175 students in its inaugural year, expanding to 292 by 1904 amid growing demand.[1][6] Facilities developed to include boarding options as public schools proliferated, fostering an academic reputation rooted in Baptist values.[1] The institution's motto, "Faith, Knowledge, Service" (translated from Latin "Fides, Scientia, Pietas"), emerged during this period, inscribed on the original Wingate Gate erected to symbolize progress.[9] By 1923, supported by the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, Wingate began offering the first two years of baccalaureate education, transitioning to junior college status as Wingate Junior College in 1924.[6][1] Early challenges included financial strains during the Great Depression, which nearly led to closure, and a 1932 fire that destroyed the administration building, prompting temporary classes at Wingate Baptist Church before reconstruction.[1] Despite these setbacks, the institution persisted through community and denominational backing, laying the foundation for its evolution into a four-year college.[1][6]Expansion and transition to university status
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Wingate College underwent academic expansion by adding majors in fields such as business and education, alongside the development of graduate offerings to broaden its scope beyond undergraduate education.[6] In 1993, the institution established the School of Graduate and Continuing Education in Matthews, North Carolina, marking an initial foray into structured post-baccalaureate programming and off-campus delivery.[10] This period of programmatic diversification reflected sustained institutional maturation, including efforts to attract larger cohorts of students amid a shifting higher education landscape. Under President Jerry McGee, who assumed leadership in 1989, the college set an enrollment goal of 800 first-year students per year to underpin financial stability and operational scale.[1] McGee had previously advocated for elevated status, including a 1989 proposal to rename the school Cannon-Wingate University in honor of benefactor Charles A. Cannon, though it did not proceed at the time.[5] The transition to university designation occurred in 1995, during Wingate's centennial year, when the Board of Trustees formally voted to rename it Wingate University, citing the institution's "continued growth" in academic breadth, student body, and infrastructure as justification for the change.[1][6] This reclassification aligned with the addition of master's-level programs and signaled independence from prior Baptist State Convention oversight, which had provided historical support but ended under McGee's tenure to enable greater autonomy.[1] The shift facilitated subsequent doctoral initiatives, such as the Doctor of Pharmacy program launched in 2003.[5]Recent developments and achievements
In July 2025, Wingate University received a five-year, $1 million grant from the Leon Levine Foundation to expand college access initiatives, including the UC Guarantee and Wayfind programs, targeting rural first-generation students in eastern Union County and adjacent areas such as Richmond County.[11][12] The Wayfind program, which provides academic advising and pathway support, launched in Richmond County Schools to facilitate transitions to higher education.[13] Athletically, 192 Wingate student-athletes earned Division II Athletics Directors Association Academic Achievement Awards in August 2025, recognizing those with a minimum 3.5 GPA over their final three semesters.[14] In May 2025, track and field athlete Grace Burrell was named the South Atlantic Conference Women's Track and Field Scholar-Athlete of the Year, honoring her combined academic and athletic performance.[15] Four student-athletes secured NCAA postgraduate scholarships in spring 2025, the highest number among all institutions nationwide that cycle.[16] Wingate inducted its 2025 Sports Hall of Fame class in September, including the inaugural IMPACT Award to Dr. Thomas Koontz for contributions to athletics and institutional growth.[17] Institutionally, Wingate advanced its strategic roadmap with Fall 2023 revisions to the general education curriculum, aimed at easing transitions for transfer, early college, and adult learners, alongside new program development to align with regional workforce needs.[18] In July 2024, university leaders announced the West Village mixed-use development project, featuring townhomes, restaurants, a brewery, and a park, partially funded by a $17 million state allocation to foster a "new American college town" environment.[19]Institutional Identity and Governance
Religious affiliation and mission
Wingate University was founded in 1896 as Wingate School by the Baptist associations of Union County, North Carolina, and Chesterfield County, South Carolina, with the aim of providing literacy education from elementary through high school levels.[1] The institution received financial and operational support from the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina beginning in 1923, which helped transition it to a junior college status; this support was suspended during the Great Depression in 1930, briefly resumed after World War II, and ultimately discontinued during the presidency of Jerry McGee.[1] Although rooted in Baptist traditions, Wingate University does not maintain a formal denominational affiliation today, instead emphasizing a broader Judeo-Christian heritage in its institutional identity.[3] This shift reflects the university's evolution from a denominationally supported entity to one that promotes ethical and faith-based education without exclusive ties to Baptist governance or funding.[1] The university's mission is explicitly stated as developing "educated, ethical and productive global citizens," with a commitment to cultivating faith, knowledge, and service among students in line with its Judeo-Christian heritage.[3] This entails fostering a community that explores faith through worship opportunities, integrity, and the ethical application of knowledge grounded in Judeo-Christian principles; advancing intellectual growth via rigorous undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs emphasizing critical thinking; and promoting service to God and humanity through structured volunteering and experiential learning initiatives.[3]Administration and leadership
Rhett Brown serves as the tenth president of Wingate University, assuming the role on June 1, 2015. A twice-alumnus of the institution, Brown earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Wingate College and a Master of Business Administration from Wingate University, with additional coursework toward a Doctor of Education at the University of Alabama. Prior to his presidency, he held positions including vice president for student life and enrollment services at Wingate, and he is a veteran of Operation Desert Storm, having served with the U.S. Navy Reserve Seabees. Under his leadership, the university has emphasized initiatives such as the "One Day, One Wingate" campaign launched in his first year to foster community engagement and institutional growth.[5][2] The university is governed by a Board of Trustees, chaired by Carolyn Matthews, which holds fiduciary responsibility for strategic oversight, financial stewardship, and policy approval. In 2007, Wingate initiated a process to separate from the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, enabling the board to independently elect its members and affirming the institution's operational autonomy while maintaining historical Baptist affiliations. This transition culminated in full independence, allowing greater flexibility in leadership selection and decision-making. In 2017, the board formalized shared governance principles by approving revised faculty bylaws, integrating faculty input into academic policy alongside administrative and trustee authority. Recent board expansions include the addition of four alumni trustees in August 2025, enhancing representation from institutional stakeholders.[2][20] Senior leadership reports to the president and includes key vice presidents overseeing areas such as academic affairs, student life, finance, and athletics, structured to support the university's mission of integrating faith, knowledge, and service. The provost and other executive roles ensure alignment across the Wingate and Hendersonville campuses, with a focus on enrollment growth and program development as evidenced by the institution's reported endowment exceeding $138 million.[21][2]Campus and Facilities
Main campus in Wingate
The main campus of Wingate University is located in Wingate, North Carolina, at 211 East Wilson Street.[22] It encompasses over 520 acres, providing space for academic, residential, and recreational facilities.[2] Approximately 75% of undergraduate students reside on campus.[2] Academic buildings include the Ethel K. Smith Library, originally opened in 1959 with additions in 1972 and 1992, housing over 90,000 items and study spaces.[23] The George A. Batte Fine Arts Center, a 46,000-square-foot facility dedicated on October 23, 1999, contains a theater, recital hall, classrooms, and a rotunda.[23] The Levine College of Health Sciences, opened on August 4, 2011, spans 70,000 square feet with lecture rooms, laboratories, and simulation areas.[23] Administrative functions are housed in the Stegall Administration Building, completed in spring 1992, featuring offices for the president and provost alongside a landscaped plaza and lake.[23] Student support facilities feature the Dickson-Palmer Center, dedicated in April 1977, which serves as a hub with lounges, a chapel, auditorium, and now includes a Starbucks and welcome center.[23] Residence halls accommodate up to 2,112 students, with first-year options including double, triple, and quad rooms equipped with twin XL beds, desks, and air conditioning.[24] Dining services operate from the W.T. Harris Dining Hall, offering meal plans and various options.[25] Athletic and recreational amenities include the Charles A. Cannon Complex, opened in 1986, with a 2,500-seat Cuddy Arena, Olympic-sized pool, and fitness areas.[23] The Irwin Belk Stadium supports football and lacrosse programs.[26] Campus recreation occurs at the McGee Center, providing leagues, clubs, and wellness spaces.[25] Maintenance operations are centralized at the R.W. Goodman Campus Service Center, established in 1986.[23] The health center, located in the Holbrook Building since fall 1965, offers medical and counseling services.[23]Satellite locations
Wingate University maintains one active satellite campus in Hendersonville, North Carolina, situated approximately 22 miles south of Asheville amid the Blue Ridge Mountains.[27][28] This location primarily supports the university's Master of Physician Assistant Studies program, admitting 20 students annually as part of a total cohort of 60 across both the Hendersonville and main Wingate campuses.[28] The Hendersonville facility, known as the Health Sciences Center, spans a $32 million investment and includes smart classrooms, simulation labs, study areas, and faculty offices designed for hands-on clinical training.[28] Developed through partnerships with Henderson County government, Pardee UNC Health Care, Blue Ridge Community College, and the city of Hendersonville, it emphasizes a student-centered environment with small class sizes and synchronous distance learning integration from the Wingate main campus.[28] The campus expansion for the PA program originated in 2013 to accommodate growing demand for healthcare education in western North Carolina.[29] Previously, Wingate operated an off-campus instructional site in Ballantyne, a suburb of Charlotte, housing graduate programs including the MBA and certain education offerings from around 2013 until its closure in November 2023.[30][31] Upon closure, remaining students and programs, such as the Master of Accountancy, were relocated to the main Wingate campus to consolidate resources.[30] No other satellite locations are currently operational.[27]Key infrastructure and amenities
Wingate University's residential infrastructure consists of multiple air-conditioned residence halls, such as Alumni Hall, Cannon Hall, CM Black Hall, and Helms Hall, equipped with Wi-Fi access and digital cable capabilities. These facilities primarily offer double, triple, and quadruple rooms, with first-year halls arranged as coed by floor, wing, or alternating rooms to foster community. Upperclassmen options include additional halls like JM Smith Hall, completed in 2013, supporting a range of housing preferences for over 1,000 on-campus students.[32][33] The Ethel K. Smith Library serves as the primary academic resource hub, featuring group study spaces, individual study rooms, and study carrels designed for student and faculty use. It provides access to print and digital collections, supporting research and coursework across disciplines.[34] Recreational amenities are centered in the expanded McGee Center, a 68,000-square-foot facility including free-play gyms, a multi-activity court, an indoor suspended running track, exercise and fitness areas, racquetball courts, and spacious locker rooms. This infrastructure supports intramural sports, fitness classes, and wellness programs for the campus community.[35][36] Athletic infrastructure highlights include Irwin Belk Stadium, home to football and track events, Ron Christopher Stadium with Plyler Field for soccer, the Wingate Softball Complex, and additional fields for baseball, lacrosse, and other varsity and intramural activities. These venues enable competitive NCAA Division II programs and recreational play, contributing to the university's emphasis on physical development.[37]Academics
Organizational structure and schools
Wingate University's academic programs are organized under the oversight of the Provost and divided into five primary colleges and schools, each led by a dean who reports to the Provost. This structure supports undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral offerings across disciplines, with departmental chairs and program directors managing specific areas within each unit. Governance involves faculty input through the Faculty Senate, which includes representatives from each college and school, and committees such as the Academic Affairs Committee for curricular approvals.[38][20] The Charles A. Cannon College of Arts and Sciences encompasses liberal arts disciplines, including departments of biology, chemistry, English, history, mathematics, psychology, and social sciences, offering undergraduate majors in areas such as communication, religious studies, and political science.[38] The Lloyd and Georgia Thayer School of Education focuses on teacher preparation and educational leadership, housing 11 undergraduate programs, master's degrees, and doctoral options in education-related fields.[38][20] The Porter B. Byrum School of Business administers five undergraduate majors in accounting, business administration, economics, finance, and marketing, alongside two master's programs in business fields.[38] The Levine College of Health Sciences integrates health professions training, featuring undergraduate programs in nursing and public health, master's degrees in clinical mental health counseling, public health, and social work, and doctoral programs in pharmacy (PharmD), physical therapy (DPT), occupational therapy (OTD), and medical science (DMSc), with specialized departments for physician assistant studies and other clinical areas.[38][20] The School of Sport Sciences supports programs in exercise science, sport management, and recreation, offering undergraduate tracks in pre-professional fitness, community recreation, and commercial recreation, as well as a master's in sport management.[38]Undergraduate programs
Wingate University provides 37 undergraduate majors, complemented by 42 minors, 9 pre-professional tracks, and 5 dual-degree options, yielding over 60 pathways for students.[39] These programs emphasize hands-on learning and faculty mentorship, with "Advantage Programs" designed to accelerate career preparation through integrated professional experiences.[39] Degrees conferred include Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BS), Bachelor of Liberal Studies (BLS), Bachelor of Music Education (BME), and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).[40] The majors span traditional liberal arts, professional fields, and interdisciplinary areas. In the sciences, offerings include biology (BA/BS with concentrations in medical laboratory science via a 3+1 program, agricultural food systems, or pharmacy via 3+1), biochemistry (BS), chemistry (BA/BS), environmental biology (BA/BS with public health track), mathematics (BA/BS), and physics-related courses supporting pre-professional paths.[40] Humanities and social sciences programs encompass English (BA), history (BA/BS), communication (BA/BS with concentrations in health communication, journalism, sports media, or strategic communication), psychology (BA/BS), sociology (BA/BS), political science (BA/BS), religion and philosophy (BA/BS), and criminal justice (BA/BS).[40] Business administration majors feature accounting (BA/BS), finance (BA/BS), international business (BA), management (BA/BS), marketing (BA/BS), and mathematics/business (BA/BS).[40] Education programs prepare students for teaching careers, including elementary education (BS with 4+1 option to Master of Arts in Education K-6), middle grades education (BA/BS with concentrations in language arts, mathematics, science, or social studies), mathematics and education (BS), and specialized tracks like biology and education (BS) or history and education (BA/BS).[40] Fine arts include music (BA with emphases in general, church music, or performance) and music education (BME).[40] Health and human services constitute a significant focus, with majors in exercise science (BS with fitness professional or pre-professional tracks, including 3.5+3 combined pathways to Doctor of Physical Therapy or Master of Arts in Sport Management), nursing (BSN), public health (BS), sport and recreation management (BS with concentrations in community/commercial recreation or sport management), health and physical education (BS), and human services (BA/BLS/BS).[40] Educational studies (BS/BLS/BS with concentrations in health/physical activity, humanities, language/literacy, or mathematics/science) and organizational communication and management (BLS) support non-traditional or adult learners.[40] Pre-professional programs prepare students for advanced study in fields such as medicine, law, pharmacy, and physician assistant roles, often through accelerated dual-degree arrangements.[39]Graduate and professional programs
Wingate University provides nine master's degrees and seven doctoral programs, along with four combined degree options, primarily in education, business administration, health professions, and social services.[40] These programs emphasize experiential learning, clinical training where applicable, and flexible delivery formats including on-campus instruction at Wingate and Hendersonville locations, as well as online options for select degrees.[41] In education, offerings include the Master of Arts in Education (MAEd) with concentrations in educational leadership and elementary education, the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) for elementary education licensure preparation, the Doctor of Education (EdD) and Education Specialist (EdS) in educational or higher education leadership.[40] These programs support advanced teaching credentials and administrative roles, with the EdS designed as a bridge to the EdD.[42] Business and related fields feature the Master of Business Administration (MBA) with five concentration options, the Master of Accounting (MAC), and the Master of Arts in Sport Management (MASM), delivered partly in the Charlotte area for accessibility to professionals.[41] Combined degrees such as the MBA paired with Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) or Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) integrate management training with clinical expertise.[40] Health sciences programs dominate professional doctorates, including the 27-month Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS), Master of Public Health (MPH) available online with modular formats, Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) as an asynchronous online option for practicing physician assistants, three-year DPT, eight-semester Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) with early clinical immersion, and four-year PharmD, all preparing graduates for licensure in their respective fields.[40][41] Social services include the Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Master of Social Work (MSW).[40] Enrollment in these programs occurs across campuses, with admissions open year-round for many.[43]Accreditation, rankings, and outcomes
Wingate University holds institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral degrees, with the most recent reaffirmation occurring in 2022.[44] Specific programs maintain additional programmatic accreditations, including the Porter B. Byrum School of Business's MBA and MAC degrees from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) since 1996, the baccalaureate nursing program from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) since 2014, and the physician assistant program from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) since 2008 with accreditation extending to 2034.[44][45][46] The School of Pharmacy's Doctor of Pharmacy program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE).[47] Programs such as the Master of Social Work hold candidacy status with the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), while the Master of Public Health is an applicant for accreditation from the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).[48][49] In national rankings, Wingate University is placed #373 out of 436 in U.S. News & World Report's 2026 Best National Universities list, evaluated on metrics including graduation rates, faculty resources, and social mobility.[50] It ranks #1 among private doctoral-granting universities in North Carolina for social mobility in the same publication, reflecting strong performance in advancing lower-income students' outcomes.[51] Niche rankings include #144 for best colleges for sports management and #189 for most diverse colleges in America, based on student surveys and data on diversity and program strength.[52] Program-specific recognitions feature the undergraduate nursing program at #4 among North Carolina schools and the physician assistant program as a top graduate school by U.S. News & World Report in 2025.[53][54] Broader assessments, such as College Factual's #1,311 overall quality ranking out of 2,217 analyzed schools, highlight areas like value and popularity but place it lower in comprehensive national tiers.[55] Student outcomes include a six-year graduation rate of 53% for the 2017 entering cohort, with 41% completing within four years and 55% by eight years, per National Center for Education Statistics data.[50] The first-year retention rate stands at 67% for full-time undergraduates.[56] Among recent graduates with a 70.3% knowledge rate in follow-up surveys, 31.6% enrolled in graduate school and 60.5% secured full-time employment, indicating moderate post-graduation success aligned with regional master's institutions.[57] These metrics surpass institutional predictions for graduation in recent years, though they remain below national averages for selective universities.[18]Student Body and Admissions
Enrollment demographics
Wingate University enrolled 3,325 students in fall 2024, distributed across its main campus in Wingate, North Carolina, and a satellite campus in Charlotte. Undergraduate students constitute approximately 72% of the total enrollment, totaling around 2,394 individuals, while 28% pursue master's or doctoral programs.[2] The undergraduate population specifically numbered 2,673 as of fall 2024.[58] The gender distribution among undergraduates skews female, with 58.5% women and 41.5% men.[59] Across the full student body, full-time enrollment reflects a similar pattern, with 1,881 women and 1,214 men.[60] Racial and ethnic demographics indicate a majority White student body, with students of color comprising 42% of the total enrollment.[51] Detailed breakdowns from institutional reporting show the following approximate composition for recent cohorts:| Racial/Ethnic Group | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 55% |
| Black/African American | 20% |
| Hispanic/Latino | 6% |
| Multiracial | 7% |
| Asian | 2% |
| Other (including Native American, Pacific Islander, and international) | 10% |