Illinois Wesleyan University is an independent undergraduate liberal arts college located in Bloomington, Illinois. Founded in 1850, the central portion of the present campus was acquired in 1854 with the first building erected in 1856. It offers over 80 majors, minors and programs in the liberal arts, business, the fine arts, nursing, and eight pre-professional areas. The University's mission is to foster the traditional liberal arts of creativity, character, and knowledge.