Iowa Wesleyan University in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, has played a major role in the existence of two organizations to which I belong. In fall of 1868, Libbie Brook, a founder of I.C. Sorosis (Pi Beta Phi) at Monmouth College interrupted her studies at Monmouth to enroll at Iowa Wesleyan. There on December 21, 1868, she chartered Pi Phi’s second chapter. A month later, on January 21, 1869, P.E.O. was established by seven young women. Legend has it that Libbie Brook asked some, but not all, of the seven to become members of her organization. Rather than join without those who were asked declined and the seven formed a society of their own.
Iowa Wesleyan is at a crossroads and the future of the institution is in jeopardy. IWU President Steven E. Titus, J.D., Ph.D., issued the following statement dated November 1, 2018.
I want to provide an update on the Iowa Wesleyan University’s Board of Trustees special session today. It was a tremendously difficult meeting as we reviewed the financial projections of the university.
As you may know, small liberal arts colleges and universities across the country continue to face significant financial challenges. Iowa Wesleyan University is no different. We have struggled, yet survived, for decades because of our strong commitment to our students and the southeast Iowa region.
This may be surprising given all our progress and accomplishments achieved together over the past five years. Our enrollment has doubled, student retention has increased, and we have tremendously talented and dedicated faculty and staff members.
The university does not have a healthy endowment or extensive donor network. We have attempted to secure funding to establish a solid financial base. Unfortunately, several anticipated gifts simply have not materialized. At this moment, the university does not have the required financial underpinnings to bridge the gap between strong enrollment and new programming, and the money needed to keep the institution open.
Today, the Board of Trustees voted to reconvene on November 15, 2018 to consider the future of the institution. Therefore, we are actively and aggressively pursuing additional funding sources, and new and innovative partnerships, collaborations and supporters. The next 14 days are extremely important as we meet with the USDA, regional business and community leaders, and partners in higher education to explore alternatives.
These decisions may have a profound impact on students, faculty, staff members as well as the entire southeastern Iowa community. Iowa Wesleyan’s economic impact to the southeastern Iowa region is over $55 million annually. We feel a strong responsibility and commitment to continue the mission of Iowa Wesleyan University.
Thank you for your prayers and patience. We will keep you updated on the Board’s decision.
Although she attended the groundbreaking ceremony, Mary Allen Stafford had died before the building was completed.
The P.E.O. Memorial Library now houses the administrative offices. The P.E.O. Sisterhood raised the funds to build the library building and it is an impressive building on campus. Old Main and Pioneer Hall are still used and the latter includes rooms highlighting the history of P.E.O. When on campus, it is not difficult to imagine what life was like for Ella, Hattie, Mary, Franc, Suela, and the two Alices as they borrowed the Bible from the chapel and headed to the Music Room where they took the oath of sisterhood, written by Alice Babb.
How did I do my part to help IWU? This morning, I made a small donation to the We Love Thee fundraising campaign as a show of support to a very special institution.
The P.E.O. Memory Room in Old Main Hall at IWU
