History

In 1892 the trustees of Kansas Wesleyan University contracted with Thomas W. Roach to organize a commercial department for the school. Roach designed the Kansas Wesleyan Business College as a Christian school in which students were trained “to carry the spirit of Christian idealism into the affairs of the business community.”   Cornett noted that diplomas were issued “only to candidates of good moral character,” and were evidence of “hard, conscientious and meritorious work.”

 

K.W.B.C. began with two students, two instructors and one typewriter.  The 1904-05 K.W.U. catalog shows that the school had grown to 993 students, 17 instructors, and equipment valued at more than $60,000.

 

Cornett describes the program as coming from three departments: Business Administration, Stenography and Business Training, and Telegraphy.  “The only government standard telegraph station operated by any school in the United States” was at K.W.B.C.  With the outbreak of World War I, the curriculum expanded to include an “auto, tractor and aero school.”   The school also received a government contract to teach Morse and radio telegraphy.

 

As a commercial college, it was run on a business model.  The catalog notes that the college was open year around, allowing students to enter at any time.  Class work was individualized.  After a one-month trial period, students could withdraw with refunded tuition.  They paid only for classes taken, with no penalties for missed days.  The school guaranteed the rates—for example that $147 would cover six months of classes with “good” room and board.  The school guaranteed that students who had completed coursework would receive a position or their tuition would be refunded.