THE CONFUCIUS INSTITUTE

With mutual appreciation for the longstanding connections between Wesleyan College and China, the Chinese Ministry of Education, officials from the Confucius Institute Headquarters (Hanban), and Guangzhou University helped establish The Confucius Institute at Wesleyan College (CIWC) in 2012 to promote international friendship and academic and cultural exchange. 

The mission of the CIWC is to promote Chinese language and culture; foster intercultural exchange with China among students, educators, and our community; serve as a resource for Chinese studies through its China Museum; and celebrate the historic connection between Wesleyan College and China in changing the lives of women through higher education and social action. In addition to providing a variety of language classes, cultural programs, and travel opportunities, the CIWC also offers access to the art, artifacts, and documents in Wesleyan’s archives that are closely related to the world renowned Soong sisters, who are Wesleyan alumnae.  

Located on the first floor of the Lucy Lester Willet Memorial Library, the CIWC houses The China Museum which contains silk tapestries, oriental screens, ornate rosewood tables and chairs, porcelain objects d’art, and other Chinese art and artifacts that are a part of Wesleyan’s longstanding history with China. This museum gallery also serves as a reception area to welcome visitors and scholars from around the world.

The CIWC offers Chinese language courses for youth and adults, including Wesleyan students; summer camps in China; Chinese language and cultural art classes through The Wesleyan Academy of Lifelong Learning; faculty exchanges with Guangzhou University; and a variety of cultural performances that will showcase art, theatre, and music and celebrate holidays such as the Chinese New Year, the Lantern Festival, Spring Festival, and Mid-Autumn Festival.

Through a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of State Wesleyan developed an American Cultural Center at Guangzhou University in China designed to provide Chinese students and the Guangzhou community better insight into American history, philosophy, international relations, media, fine arts, community engagement, and life in America. 

For information about the Confucius Institute at Wesleyan College contact Executive Director Nicholas Steneck at nsteneck@wesleyancollege.edu or (478) 757-2811. A note from our Provost on May 10, 2023.