Since its founding, Ohio Wesleyan has maintained its connection with the Methodist (now United Methodist) Church, offering a quality of scholarship, leadership, and service that has enriched both Church and society. Its charter provided that the University is forever to be conducted on the most liberal principles, accessible to all religious denominations, and designed for the benefit of our citizens in general. In the spirit of this heritage, the University defines itself as a community of teachers and students devoted to the free pursuit of truth. It attempts to develop in its students qualities of intellect and character that will be useful no matter what they choose to do in later life.

Ohio Wesleyan judges itself successful when it has accomplished three objectives in its work with students: The first is to impart knowledge. The second major objective is to develop and enhance certain important capabilities of students, including the foundation skills of reading, writing, and quantitative analysis. The third objective is to place education in the context of values.

To the extent that Ohio Wesleyan educates liberally, it fulfills its ultimate purpose of equipping students with knowledge, competence, and character for leadership, service, and continued learning in a complex and increasingly global society.