Nebraska Wesleyan University, chartered by its Methodist founders on Jan. 20, 1887, has met the challenges of the times. Symbolic of the institution's durability has been its Old Main building, with ground breaking in April 1887 and the laying of the cornerstone on Sept. 22. A teaching and administrative staff of eight (the chancellor included) welcomed students for registration on Sept. 25, 1888. Classes for 96 students (those of the academy, included) were soon underway in the building - yet without stairways completed and with ladders to be used, without glass in several windows, without flooring in many rooms, etc. Four women were the first to graduate in 1890. Four men followed in 1891.