By Emily Gilmer

ATHENS, Tenn. (Sept. 21, 2016) -- Tennessee Wesleyan University held a consecration ceremony Thursday, Sept. 15, to bless the institution’s new university name and vital mission. The ceremony included featured speaker, Bishop Mary Virginia Taylor; music from the TWU Chorale; and prayers from TWU Chaplain the Rev. Chris Dover. 

“It is essential that you keep the end in sight, that, as you are here working and studying and preparing, that you continue to know what your goal is, what your focus is,” Taylor said. “In order to get somewhere, you have to know where you want to go.

" You’re here at Tennessee Wesleyan University because you have a vision of what you prefer your future to be. Go for it. Work for it with everything you have within you. Do everything you can to reach that goal that you dream for," Taylor said. 

Tennessee Wesleyan changed its name from college to university on July 1. The university name better reflects the institution’s goals to offer a wider range of degree programs, including more graduate and adult programs, and desire to remain a higher education institution of choice for students in East Tennessee and beyond. 

“We thought it was only fitting to come together as a community to reflect on our past, to count our blessings for our many accomplishments and pray for our future as a new and emerging university,” TWU President Harley Knowles said.

“We are fortunate to be here on this day, serving students and preparing them for the world. Never before has our world needed our Wesleyan students more than now. Like a youngster who is showing great promise, we still are learning and growing as we move into full maturity of all we can become as we strive to serve students, serve our world and serve God.”

Emily Gilmer is college editor and social media specialist.