Webber International University (Webber or WIU) is a private university in Babson Park, Florida.
 | |
Former names | Webber College (1927–2001) |
|---|---|
| Motto | A Tradition in Business Education |
| Type | Private university |
| Established | 1927 |
| Endowment | $4.9 million |
| President | Nelson Marquez |
| Students | 800 |
| Location | , , U.S. 27°50′23″N 81°32′09″W / 27.8398°N 81.5359°W |
| Campus | 110 acres (0.45 km2) |
| Colors | Forest Green & Gold |
| Nickname | Warriors |
Sporting affiliations | NAIA – The Sun |
| Website | www |
History
editWebber International was founded as Webber College by Roger Babson, an entrepreneur and business theorist in the first half of the 20th century. Established in 1927, it was the first private college chartered under Florida's then new charitable and educational laws, and one of the nation's first business schools for women. Webber International University now hosts men and women from some 48 different nations.
In February 2011, Webber announced a merger with St. Andrews College in Laurinburg, North Carolina.[1] In January 2014, Webber announced the acquisition of Virginia Intermont College in Bristol, Virginia,[2] but these efforts were abandoned later the same year.[3]
Academics
editThe university is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award degrees at the associate, bachelor's, and master's levels.
Athletics
editThe Webber International athletic teams are called the Warriors. The university is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA),[4] primarily competing in the Sun Conference (formerly known as the Florida Sun Conference (FSC) until after the 2007–08 school year) for most of its sports since the 1990–91 academic year.[5] Its football team formerly competed in the Mid-South Conference (MSC) until after the 2021 fall season.[6] They are also a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA), primarily competing as an independent in the South Region of the Division I level.
Webber International competes in 22 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, bowling, cross country, football, golf, lacrosse, soccer, track & field and volleyball; while women's sports include basketball, beach volleyball, bowling, cheerleading, cross country, flag football, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, track & field and volleyball. Club sports include eSports and men's beach volleyball. The university also has an internationally respected bowling program.
Notable alumni
edit- Vince Anderson, former NFL defensive back[7]
- Verity Crawley, professional bowler in Professional Women's Bowling Association (PWBA)
- Bo Dallas, professional wrestler
- Gary Faulkner Jr., ten-pin bowler, competes on PBA Tour
- Taula "Hikuleo" Fifita, professional wrestler
- Daria Pająk, ten-pin bowler in Professional Women's Bowling Association (PWBA)
References
edit- ^ "Webber International University Plans to Take Over N.C. School". The Lakeland Ledger. February 11, 2011. Retrieved February 19, 2014.
- ^ "Virginia Intermont College, with dwindling enrollment, intends to merge with Fla. school". The Washington Post. January 31, 2014. Retrieved February 19, 2014.
- ^ "Merger Statement Issued Today by Dr. Phillips". Virginia Intermont College. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
- ^ "Schools". NAIA.ORG. NAIA. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
- ^ "Members". Thesunconference.com. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
- ^ Wilson, Michael (February 25, 2016). "Local teams officially join Mid-South football conference". The Lakeland Ledger. Retrieved February 27, 2016.
- ^ Coffey, Lisa. (Apr 28, 2009). Vince Anderson Is First Webber Player to Sign With NFL Team. theledger.com. Retrieved Sep 6, 2020.