[3][4] In 1904, representatives of Wesleyan Methodist churches in South Carolina and surrounding states met at Central to consider the possibility of establishing a college.

[citation needed] Classes at the new school began on October 15, 1906, with students from first grade through college.

[5] The university was granted an exception to Title IX in 2015 which allows it to legally discriminate against LGBT students for religious reasons.

[6] Southern Wesleyan University offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in two schools and one college.

[10] Southern Wesleyan University (SWU) occupies a 350-acre (142 ha) campus near the town of Central, South Carolina.

The organization's faculty sponsor, Beth Stuart, was fired in 2013 because she refused to withdraw her support of SWUnity.

[13] Pre-marital sex, homosexual acts, and "sexual perversions" are prohibited by the Southern Wesleyan University Student Handbook as well as other internal policies for faculty and staff.

[15][16] 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.

[3] The SWU Warriors have won 11 National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) national championship titles: Open to students of all skill levels, intramural sports include basketball, flag football, ping pong, sand volleyball, soccer, and softball.

[27] Recreation Ministry Teams serve as needed at various Christian summer camps in the months of June and July.

[27] University Singers is a traveling vocal group which performs religious music at various churches and events.