In 2010, Wade College celebrates its 48th anniversary. Sue Wade, the college’s Executive Director, founded the college in 1962 with the goal of helping individuals who wished to join the fashion and merchandising industries immediately. She began with $1,500 and ten students.

The college began by offering courses in professional modeling and fashion merchandising in day and evening classes. In 1965, the college moved from its location in the Turtle Creek area of Dallas to within the Dallas Market Center complex, and in 1971, the professional modeling and evening classes were discontinued in favor of total emphasis on full-time enrollment in merchandising. The college’s educational process evolved beyond what was offered by a trade or technical school. In fact, graduates of the associate degree program in merchandising were advancing regularly in their careers and moving up to management positions. Significant changes were then made in the college’s educational program, particularly in regard to faculty credentials and library holdings. In 1985, Wade College was granted accreditation by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Now the college offers a dual major Associate of Arts degree in Merchandising and Design. The college offers a solid general education curriculum, designed to provide an introduction to major areas of knowledge and to stimulate individual interests in specialized fields. Students may specialize in graphic design, fashion design, interior design, or merchandise marketing. Students benefit enormously from the college’s location within the Dallas Market Center complex, which offers the ideal professional environment for individuals seeking industry experience and early exposure to the merchandising and design industries. Instructors have diverse backgrounds and outstanding professional experience. The college’s curriculum, location, and faculty experience contribute to the college’s goal of nurturing and challenging each student’s intellectual and professional development.