TJC, Wesley Foundation Announce Creation of Wesley House
Posted/updated on: March 6, 2013 at 1:33 pm
TYLER — Beginning with the Fall 2013 semester, students at Tyler Junior College will have the opportunity to live on campus in a residence hall operated by the United Methodist Church. The partnership between TJC and the Methodist campus ministry, TJC Wesley Foundation, was announced Tuesday. The Wesley Foundation sold its Baxter Avenue building to the college and signed a 30-year lease for a residence hall on Lake Street. The hall, currently known as West Hall, will become Wesley House and will accommodate about 40 students and be managed by the Wesley Foundation. The name Wesley House was selected in honor of John Wesley, founder of the Methodist Movement.
“This is an exciting day for campus ministry at TJC,” said Rev. Sunny Farley, director of the Wesley Foundation. “We look forward to building a vibrant student community in the heart of campus.” The Wesley Foundation feeds students a free lunch every Tuesday and offers a variety of programs which will be open to all students, whether they live in Wesley House or not. Housing will be open to all students regardless of religious affiliation. “We will run Wesley House as Christians with a love for all people and a desire to serve God by serving others,” Farley said.
The Wesley Foundation has had a presence on campus at TJC since the college opened in 1926. The campus ministry and student organization has been in the Baxter Avenue building for more than 50 years. TJC President Dr. Mike Metke said the lease agreement will add to the college’s vibrant campus life and attract students who desire a nurturing living environment. Metke remarked, “The Wesley Foundation has done a great job serving students of TJC for many years. This new partnership will attract more students from East Texas and beyond, to live in a safe and caring educational environment.”
Dr. Metke said the College’s campus civility task force has worked with Campus Police to improve campus safety, civility and hospitality, and the addition of Wesley House is another step toward ensuring a pleasant learning and living atmosphere. The Wesley Foundation plans on making renovations to the facility, to include improvements to the resident rooms and the addition of offices and a large gathering space. For more information about Wesley House, visit http://www.tylerwesleyhouse.com or look for “Wesley House” on Facebook.
