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Nonprofiteer
← SOUTHERN WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY

Form 990 for tax year 2024

Filed by SOUTHERN WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY.

Totals

Total revenue
$31,120,714
Total expenses
$32,732,349
Contributions and grants received
$6,108,641
Grants paid
$8,668,270
Program service revenue
$24,215,698
Investment income
$367,219
Other revenue
$429,156
Total assets, end of year
$44,857,898
Total liabilities, end of year
$5,046,173
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$39,811,725
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$26,668,222
Management and general expenses
$5,099,957
Fundraising expenses
$964,170
Program service expenses (Part III)
$26,668,222

Program services were 81.5% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Revenue

Part VIII, the statement of revenue.

  • 1d · Related organizations

    $1,250,324

  • 1e · Government grants (contributions)

    $2,216,925

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $2,641,392

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $1,575,000

  • 2a · Program service revenue: TUITION AND FEES

    total $19,679,022 · related or exempt $19,679,022

  • 2b · Program service revenue: AUXILIARY SERVICES

    total $4,341,270 · related or exempt $4,245,575 · unrelated business $95,695

  • 2f · All other program service revenue

    total $195,406 · related or exempt $195,406

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $346,809 · excluded $346,809

  • 6a · Gross rents

    real property $799,412

  • 6b · Less rental expenses

    real property $370,256

  • 6c · Rental income or loss

    real property $429,156

  • 6d · Net rental income or loss

    total $429,156 · excluded $429,156

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $5,600,000 · other assets $20,410

  • 7b · Less cost or other basis and sales expenses

    securities $5,600,000 · other assets $0

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities $0 · other assets $20,410

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total $20,410 · excluded $20,410

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 2 · Grants to domestic individuals

    total $8,668,270 · program services $8,668,270

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $428,847 · program services $211,774 · management and general $217,073

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $9,208,740 · program services $6,808,459 · management and general $1,788,720 · fundraising $611,561

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $246,855 · program services $179,507 · management and general $51,481 · fundraising $15,867

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $1,237,798 · program services $795,063 · management and general $380,527 · fundraising $62,208

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $683,378 · program services $499,033 · management and general $140,213 · fundraising $44,132

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $115,312 · management and general $115,312

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $98,211 · management and general $98,211

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $3,908,912 · program services $3,391,269 · management and general $516,113 · fundraising $1,530

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $161,132 · program services $158,004 · management and general $2,378 · fundraising $750

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $1,831,022 · program services $1,394,471 · management and general $253,256 · fundraising $183,295

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $511,572 · program services $77,033 · management and general $434,295 · fundraising $244

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $1,153,697 · program services $886,275 · management and general $267,359 · fundraising $63

  • 17 · Travel

    total $493,981 · program services $389,195 · management and general $76,671 · fundraising $28,115

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $80,271 · program services $32,694 · management and general $33,714 · fundraising $13,863

  • 20 · Interest

    total $197,105 · program services $183,891 · management and general $13,214

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $1,242,425 · program services $1,159,132 · management and general $83,293

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $364,297 · program services $69,271 · management and general $295,026

  • 24a · Other expenses: CUSTODIAN, MAINT., SUPP

    total $1,756,771 · program services $1,614,173 · management and general $142,598

  • 24b · Other expenses: BAD DEBT

    total $128,048 · management and general $128,048

  • 24c · Other expenses: BOND CLOSING AMORT.

    total $62,455 · management and general $62,455

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $153,250 · program services $150,708 · fundraising $2,542

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $868,511 · end of year $509,968

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $3,985,692 · end of year $550,126

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $1,208,726 · end of year $2,783,726

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $1,138,251 · end of year $1,449,697

  • 8 · Inventories for sale or use

    beginning of year $42,651 · end of year $65,238

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $179,209 · end of year $251,163

  • 10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis

    $55,715,931

  • 10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation

    $25,227,212

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $24,780,815 · end of year $30,488,719

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $9,982,040 · end of year $5,237,155

  • 12 · Investments: other securities

    beginning of year $3,439,733 · end of year $3,439,373

  • 13 · Investments: program-related

    beginning of year $92,413 · end of year $82,733

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $871,098 · end of year $1,127,742

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $862,526 · end of year $821,846

  • 20 · Tax-exempt bond liabilities

    beginning of year $2,847,545

  • 23 · Secured mortgages and notes payable

    end of year $2,683,830

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $522,844 · end of year $412,755

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $27,588,874 · end of year $27,507,748

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $13,025,154 · end of year $12,303,977

Mission and programs · 2024

Mission

SOUTHERN WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY IS A CHRIST-CENTERED, STUDENT-FOCUSED LEARNING COMMUNITY DEVOTED TO TRANSFORMING LIVES BY CHALLENGING STUDENTS TO BE DEDICATED SCHOLARS AND SERVANT-LEADERS WHO IMPACT THE WORLD FOR CHRIST.

Activities or mission (Part I)

CHALLENGING STUDENTS TO BE DEDICATED SCHOLARS AND LEADERS WHO IMPACT THE WORLD FOR CHRIST.

  • SOUTHERN WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY IS A CHRIST-CENTERED, STUDENT-FOCUSED LEARNING COMMUNITY DEVOTED TO TRANSFORMING LIVES BY CHALLENGING STUDENTS TO BE DEDICATED SCHOLARS AND SERVANT LEADERS WHO IMPACT THE WORLD FOR CHRIST. SOUTHERN WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY SEEKS TO MEET THE EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF DIVERSE STUDENT POPULATIONS THROUGH BOTH TRADITIONAL AND INNOVATIVE APPROACHES. FOR THOSE STUDENTS WHO SEEK AN EXCELLENT RESIDENTIAL CAMPUS EXPERIENCE IN THE CONTEXT OF A STRONG CHRISTIAN ENVIRONMENT, THE UNIVERSITY PROVIDES ON-CAMPUS PROGRAMS AT ITS FACILITY IN CENTRAL, SOUTH CAROLINA. THERE THE RICH TRADITIONS OF ACADEMIA ARE COUPLED WITH RESIDENCE HALL COMMUNITIES, SPORTS, CHAPEL AND ARTISTIC PERFORMANCES. SWU'S ON-CAMPUS PROGRAM OFFERS A WIDE VARIETY OF UNDERGRADUATE MAJORS IN AREAS SUCH AS BUSINESS, RECREATION, TEACHER EDUCATION, MUSIC, ENGLISH, COMMUNICATION, RELIGION & MINISTRY, BIOLOGY, CHEMISTRY, MATH, COMPUTER SCIENCE, FORENSICS, PRE-MEDICINE, HISTORY, PSYCHOLOGY, SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMAN SERVICES. SOUTHERN WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY OFFERS ONLINE PROGRAMS IN AN INNOVATIVE FRAMEWORK THAT PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES TO CONVENIENTLY COMPLETE UNDERGRADUATE, GRADUATE AND POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMS. SWU ONLINE CONTINUES YEAR-ROUND, AND STUDENTS ENTER THE PROGRAM AT SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE YEAR. UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS OFFERED THROUGH SWU ONLINE INCLUDE AN ASSOCIATE DEGREE IN GENERAL STUDIES. ALSO OFFERED ARE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE PROGRAMS IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, HUMAN SERVICES, NURSING, AND EARLY CHILDHOOD AND FAMILY STUDIES. SOUTHERN WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY ALSO OFFERS ONLINE GRADUATE AND POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMS INCLUDING THE MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (MBA), THE MASTER OF SCIENCE IN MANAGEMENT (MSM), THE MASTER OF EDUCATION IN CLASSROOM LEADERSHIP (MEDCL), THE MASTER OF EDUCATION IN ADMINISTRATION AND SUPERVISION (MEDAS), THE MASTER OF EDUCATION IN E-LEARNING AND INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN, THE DOCTOR OF EDUCATION IN CURRICULUM AND ASSESSMENT (EDD), AND THE DOCTOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION.

    Expenses $26,668,222 · Grants $8,668,270 · Revenue $24,120,003

As filed on the 2024 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • REV J MIKE HILSON

    CHAIR (PART YEAR)/DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • REV TIMOTHY JONES

    DIRECTOR (PART YEAR)/VICE CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • MRS MARSHA FLINCHUM

    DIRECTOR/SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • DR WAYNE SCHMIDT

    GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • REV JERRY L LUMSTON

    VICE CHAIR (PART YEAR)/CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • MR JAMES BROSS JR

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • REV WAYMOND L BURTON III

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • MR ANDREW CALDWELL

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • REV KEILA GUDINO

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • DR R DALE HALE

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • DR CHARLES HARRIS

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • DR ROBERT HAYNES

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • MR JAMES A JENSEN

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • MR J FRED JOHNSON

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • MRS SHERRY KEYE

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • MR ADAM KISSEL

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • DR VERNA J LOWE

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • MR ADAM MACLEOD

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • MR JAMES MEDDERS

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • REV SCOTT MOORE

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • DR KEVIN MYERS

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • DR JOHN OTT

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • DR ELAINE PHILLIPS

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • REV GREG REYNOLDS

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • MRS BETTY SUE RICKMAN

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • REV FRANKIE J RODRIQUEZ

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • REV JOHANNA RUGH

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • DR KATHLEEN RUTH

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • REV AARON P SHERMAN

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • MR KEITH W SMITH

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • MR D KENNETH WHITENER

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • REV TIM FOX

    DIRECTOR (PART YEAR)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • MR ROGER HOUSE

    DIRECTOR (PART YEAR)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • REV TIMOTHY KIRKPATRICK

    DIRECTOR (PART YEAR)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • REV PATRICK J STYERS

    DIRECTOR (PART YEAR)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • DR WILLIAM D BARKER

    PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $239,353
    From this org
    $202,332
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $37,021
    Hours/week
    37.5

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $201,992
    Bonus
    $250
    Other
    $90
    Deferred
    $6,000
    Nontaxable benefits
    $31,021
    Filer's total
    $239,353

  • DR DAVID SAYERS

    CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER (PART YEAR)

    Total calculated
    $162,933
    From this org
    $162,933
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    37.5

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $162,683
    Bonus
    $250
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $0
    Filer's total
    $162,933

  • DEVON BROOME

    TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $96,906
    From this org
    $68,273
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $28,633
    Hours/week
    37.5

  • MARTHA MCMINN

    CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    37.5

  • ROBERT MCFARLAND

    PROVOST & VPAA

    Total calculated
    $169,139
    From this org
    $141,840
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $27,299
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $141,500
    Bonus
    $250
    Other
    $90
    Deferred
    $4,500
    Nontaxable benefits
    $22,799
    Filer's total
    $169,139

  • ANDREW BECKWITH

    CHIEF OF STAFF

    Total calculated
    $166,108
    From this org
    $146,302
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $19,806
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $145,962
    Bonus
    $250
    Other
    $90
    Deferred
    $4,500
    Nontaxable benefits
    $15,306
    Filer's total
    $166,108

  • TODD COCKRELL

    DIRECTOR OF INSTITUTIONAL RESEARCH

    Total calculated
    $128,223
    From this org
    $104,330
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $23,893
    Hours/week
    40

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Answered yes

  • 1a · Travel for companions
  • 1a · Housing allowance or residence for personal use
  • 1a · Personal services (maid, chauffeur, chef)
  • 1b · Written policy on the line-1a expenses
  • 2 · Substantiation required before reimbursing expenses
  • 3 · Compensation survey or study
  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee
  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments

Answered no

  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
  • 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
  • 4c · Equity-based compensation arrangement
  • 5a · Pay contingent on this organization's revenues
  • 5b · Pay contingent on a related organization's revenues
  • 6a · Pay contingent on this organization's net earnings
  • 6b · Pay contingent on a related organization's net earnings
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

The filer's explanations (Part III)

PART I, LINE 1A
TRAVEL FOR COMPANIONS WAS PROVIDED TO THE PRESIDENT FOR HIS WIFE'S TRAVEL AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE UNIVERSITY. THIS EXPENSE HAS A VALID BUSINESS PURPOSE AND HAS BEEN TREATED AS NON-TAXABLE TO THE PRESIDENT AND HIS WIFE. AS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT, AND AS A CONVENIENCE TO THE UNIVERSITY, THE PRESIDENT IS PROVIDED A HOME ON UNIVERSITY GROUNDS. THE HOME IS PROVIDED AS A NONTAXABLE BENEFIT TO THE PRESIDENT. THE UNIVERSITY PROVIDES HOUSEKEEPING FOR THE HOME OF THE PRESIDENT WHO HOSTS BUSINESS RELATED EVENTS PERIODICALLY. THE PERSONAL SERVICES ARE PROVIDED AS A NONTAXABLE BENEFIT TO THE PRESIDENT.
PART I, LINE 7
UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE UNIVERSITY'S PRESIDENT AND CFO, DISCRETIONARY CHRISTMAS BONUSES WERE ISSUED TO ALL REGULAR FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME EMPLOYEES.

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

No itemized grants to organizations on this return.

Related organizations on this return

Schedule R Part II: tax-exempt organizations related to the filer by control. It does not record shared board members or money.

Taxable family on this return

Schedule R Parts I, III and IV, as filed. These record ownership and control, not shared board members or money moved.

Disregarded entities

Part I: entities that legally are the filer and file no return of their own.

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2024
Filed
7 May 2026
IRS schema version
2024v5.5
Source object
202621279349300647

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