In November 2010, John Wesley College added the programs of FLET, a 501(c) 3 non-profit, accredited Christian distance learning international university headquartered in Miami, Florida. FLET (
http://www.flet.edu) offers both undergraduate and graduate degree programs in online, accelerated modular and blended study formats, with courses in Spanish and English and accreditation by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC), which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). FLET students come from 30 countries worldwide and receive support from a bi-lingual staff in Miami.
When this partnering was considered, research demonstrated compatibility in mission statements, as well as strategic goals and educational delivery method. JWC already provided education in multiple formats. Both institutions train leaders from a Christian point of view, with similarly high accreditation standards. The addition of FLET allowed JWC to dramatically expand its global presence and training impact.
In relation to this absorption of FLET's degree programs, John Wesley College received enthusiastic approval from the Association for Biblical Higher Education (
http://www.abhe.org), its accrediting association. This new partnership added several accredited programs and allowed JWC to offer multiple graduate degrees. The school now was poised to provide accredited Christian leadership training and education around the world, as well as within the United States, especially to the Hispanic/Latino population. FLET became the Spanish training division.
With multiple graduate degree offerings and an international presence, the school desired to clearly indicate its university status and interdenominational reach by changing its name to "Laurel University." Their faith statement and focus remains the same. Laurel University (
http://www.laureluniversity.edu) continues to reach Christian students both in and beyond any groups associated with John Wesley. The laurel bush is a plant common to mountains in southern United States. (Laurel U is in North Carolina.) The New Testament "crown" mentioned by the apostle Paul, the prize that the runner won, was a laurel wreath. The new name honors the school's Christian heritage while opening horizons of opportunity.