Founders' Day Celebration—January 31, 2026

Honoring the Past . . . Investing in the Future

This Founders’ Day—Saturday, January 31, 2026—we invite you to honor our rich history while paving the way for future generations of Wayland students. Your gift supports transformative education, meaningful experiences, and a thriving campus community. Together, we can uphold the values and vision that have inspired Wayland students since our founding.

Wayland Academy traces its roots back to January 31, 1855, when the Wisconsin Legislature signed Wayland University’s charter, officially bringing the school to life. Although Francis Wayland himself was not directly involved with its establishment, his philosophy of fostering learning within an intimate, cohesive, small school atmosphere remains at the heart of everything we do. 170 years later, this commitment to individualized education and community-driven learning continues to define Wayland.

While our core values remain steadfast, Wayland Academy has evolved to meet the changing needs of our students and the world around us. Over the past five years, we’ve exponentially grown our enrollment, increasing our student population by nearly 50%. To meet the needs of our growing student body, we’ve built a brand-new dorm, expanded our athletic program, and completed major upgrades to the Janik Field House. We’ve also developed and advanced several new signature programs, including Environmental Science, Media Studies, STEAM, and Student Success. Additionally, the launch of our Summer Experience program has allowed more students to explore what Wayland has to offer. 

These achievements were made possible by the generosity of donors like you. Imagine what more we can accomplish with your continued support. By contributing on Founders’ Day, you help ensure that Wayland Academy remains a place where students can embrace new opportunities and carry forward the values that have defined us since 1855. Together, we can honor our past and shape a future full of possibility.

Any gift received between January 23 and February 6, 2026 will count towards the Founders’ Day: Day of Giving fundraising goals, unless otherwise noted.

Wayland offers a balance of traditional and modern approaches in our vision of educating students for their future, and not our past. Supporting Wayland helps ensure that the changing needs of today’s student body are met with the best innovations.

— Carl Michaletz, Academic Dean