Celebrating 180 Years of Taylor University

On September 28, Taylor University celebrated 180 years of transforming students' lives and preparing generations to impact the world for Christ. The milestone brought the Taylor community together for a special Founders Day celebration following Chapel. Students wore their Taylor apparel and enjoyed a favorite Upland tradition—Ivanhoe's shakes—along with cookies commemorating the University's 180th anniversary.

While much has changed since Taylor's founding in 1846, our distinctive Christian mission has remained steadfast: developing servant-leaders who minister Christ's redemptive love, grace, and truth to a world in need. Taylor continues to thrive as a Christ-centered, student-focused university where students grow in knowledge, deepen their faith, and discover how God can use their gifts to impact the world for His glory. The 180th anniversary offers an opportunity to reflect with gratitude on God's faithfulness and the people, defining moments, and shared commitment to Christ that have shaped Taylor throughout its history.

A Few Historical Highlights

A Trail-Blazing Beginning. Taylor University was founded as Fort Wayne Female College in 1846, one of the first colleges for women in Indiana. The next decade saw quite an evolution of rebranding, from the creation of The Collegiate Institute for Men in 1850 to the eventual merging of the two colleges as Fort Wayne College in 1855.

Taylor on the Go! In the early 1890s, through an agreement with the National Association of Local Preachers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, the college was renamed Taylor University in honor of Bishop William Taylor, a Methodist evangelist, author, and dedicated missionary who had preached in every inhabited continent—casting a vision for the institution to be as impactful in the world of faith as Taylor had been. Additionally, one of our most well-known students (and one of our first international students), Samuel Morris, had a transformative impact on our campus, preaching, seeking the Holy Spirit, and encouraging the campus to deepen their faith. Morris's legacy ripples throughout our history.

In 1893, President Thaddeus Reade initiated Taylor's move to Upland, where he intentionally cultivated a Christ-centered, academically rigorous Taylor ideal that has deepened over time.

Samuel Morris

Settling Down in Upland. In the 1900s and 1910s, Taylor's identity on its new Upland campus took shape, with some institutional additions we still see today. Sickler Hall opened in 1902 as a low-cost dorm for children of ministers and missionaries (and remains the oldest building on campus), and Helena Memorial Hall opened in 1911. The Echo, Taylor's student newspaper, was founded in 1913, and in 1917, Swallow Robin Hall opened its doors.

A Campus Coming Alive. The 1940s and 1950s saw a surge of growth for Taylor, and energy for community and activity abounded. The parlors of the Magee-Campbell-Wisconsin Halls were popular hangout spots as well as gathering places for events like Taylor's Youth Conferences, designed to refresh young believers and send them back into their churches and communities even more passionate for Christ.

Taylor athletics were also on the rise. In 1948, Taylor's first football team was formed, and they pulled off an incredible first place ranking in the Hoosier College Conference in their second season.

A Community of Resilience. The 1960s were turbulent and formative across the country, and it was no different at Taylor. The cross-cultural passion that had been growing at Taylor since Samuel Morris's time began to blossom as Taylor World Outreach (TWO) took shape, igniting greater passion for servant-leadership across the student body.

The whole campus was shaken, however, when H. Maria Wright Hall was destroyed in a devastating fire. Relocation was even considered, but God had a plan for us in Upland. The school launched "Operation Emergency," a million-dollar campaign to help rebuild what was lost in the fire. The late 1960s again saw tremendous growth, and in 1966, Taylor saw a 22% increase in enrollment numbers compared to the previous year.

H. Maria Wright Hall

"Celebrate Good Times, Come On!" In the 1990s, Taylor was thriving, with the intentionally articulated foundation of the Life Together Covenant of the 1980s and the tenure one of our beloved presidents: Jay Kesler (1985-2000). He and his wife, Janie, cultivated much of the Taylor hype and fun that we enjoy today. In fact, the very first instance of Taylor's iconic Silent Night basketball game occurred during his presidency in 1997. In 1996, Taylor celebrated its 150^th anniversary with fireworks, a pageant, and an address from renowned Christian speaker and author Charles Colson.

The Taylor Thrives Era. The beginning of the 2020s saw universities across the world grapple with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. But God had a plan for Taylor's future. In the past five years, Taylor has seen a season of incredible generosity and growth through one of the largest capital campaigns in the history of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities, Life to the Full: The Campaign for Taylor. As part of Life to the Full, we've been giving back to our Upland community through the Main Street Mile Initiative and amplifying one of Taylor's greatest strengths—its Christ-centered, student-focused model. As a result, we've seen back-to-back record-breaking incoming classes alongside significant additions and updates to the physical campus. In fact, 77% of Taylor's campus has been renovated or built since 2021, including new residence halls and spaces that support learning, worship, and community life.

Stepping Forward in Faith

Through seasons of growth and seasons of challenge, God has remained faithful. Across 180 years, He has used Taylor to shape generations of servant-leaders who have carried Christ's love, grace, and truth into a world in need.

We give thanks for God's provision and the countless lives He has shaped through this community. Grounded in our enduring Christian mission, we look to the future with gratitude, confidence, and anticipation for all God has yet to do.

Founders Day Celebration