Former names | Western State Normal School (1903–1926), Western State Teachers College (1927–1940), Western Michigan College of Education, Western Michigan College (1955–1957) |
---|---|
Motto | So that all may learn. |
Type | Public research university |
Established | May 27, 1903 |
Academic affiliations | Space-grant |
Endowment | $640.2 million (2023) [1] |
Budget | $410.6 million (2023/24) [2] |
President | Edward B. Montgomery |
Academic staff | 751 (full-time) [3] |
Students | 17,605 (2024) [4] |
Undergraduates | 13,860 (2024) [4] |
Postgraduates | 3,745 (2024) [4] |
Location | , , United States 42°17′00″N85°36′50″W / 42.28333°N 85.61389°W |
Campus | Urban |
Colors | Brown and Gold [5] |
Nickname | Broncos |
Sporting affiliations | NCAA Division I – MAC, NCHC |
Mascot | Buster Bronco |
Website | www |
Western Michigan University (Western Michigan, Western or WMU) is a public research university in Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States. It was initially established as Western State Normal School in 1903 by Governor Aaron T. Bliss for the training of teachers. [4] It was renamed Western Michigan University in 1957.
Western is one of the eight research universities in the state of Michigan and is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity". [6] The university has seven degree-granting colleges, offering 147 undergraduate degree programs, 73 master's degree programs, 30 doctoral programs, and 1 specialist degree program. It is governed by an eight-member board of regents whose members are appointed by the governor of Michigan and confirmed by the Michigan Senate for eight-year terms.
The university's athletic teams compete in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and are known as the Western Michigan Broncos. They compete in the Mid-American Conference for most sports.
On May 27, 1903, Michigan Governor Aaron T. Bliss signed a bill authorizing the creation of a teacher-training facility. [7] Kalamazoo was chosen as the new school's location on August 28, 1903. Other locations considered included Allegan, Muskegon, Grand Rapids, Decatur, Three Oaks, and Hastings. The first building, then known as the Administration Building, and now known as Heritage Hall, was constructed in 1904. [8]
The university was first officially known as Western State Normal School and offered a two-year training program. The first principal was Dwight B. Waldo, who served from 1904 until 1936. The school was renamed several times throughout its early history, beginning with Western State Teachers College in 1927, Western Michigan College of Education in 1941, and Western Michigan College in 1955. It was renamed Western Michigan University in 1957.
Most of the oldest and original WMU buildings are collectively known as East Campus. Because of the steep grade elevating the campus above the city, the Western State Normal Railroad was established in 1907 to carry students and staff up and down the hill with a funicular. It operated until 1949. [9]
Western Michigan University had a partnership with Cooley Law School for over a decade, that on August 13, 2014, culminated in the adoption of a new name and partnership, the Western Michigan University Cooley Law School. [10] In 2020, the university's Board of Trustees voted to end its affiliation with the Cooley Law School. [11]
Western Michigan University was negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. President Edward B. Montgomery stated "the crisis has already cost WMU well over $45 million, and we expect the tally to rise through the remainder of this fiscal year." To soften the economic toll of the pandemic, WMU instituted a number of cost-cutting measures. [12]
WMU's campuses encompass more than 1,200 acres (4.9 km2) and roughly 150 buildings. Western Michigan University is divided into five campuses in and near Kalamazoo, Michigan:
West Campus is the primary and largest WMU campus in Kalamazoo, and is usually referred to as "Main Campus." Most of the university academic and administrative buildings are on West Campus, including the College of Arts and Sciences, Haworth College of Business, [13] College of Education and Human Development, College of Fine Arts, the Lee Honors College and Waldo Library. Many of the residence halls are found scattered throughout West Campus, while other dormitories (affectionately referred to as "The Valleys") are adjacent to West Campus in Goldsworth Valley. Waldo Library is the fourth largest university library system in Michigan, where it houses millions of various resources such as books, audio/visual materials, maps, electronic resources and more. The library also has a cafe, student commons, study rooms, and a virtual reality lab.[ citation needed ]
The WMU Student Center opened in 2023 and contains a dining center, restaurants, a bank, the campus bookstore, student organization center and other student services. [14]
West Campus is also the site of Miller Auditorium, a large entertainment venue seating nearly 3500 people. It is Michigan's fourth largest auditorium. Miller Auditorium hosts events ranging from popular musicals and concerts to graduation commencements and film screenings. The Gilmore Theater Complex, featuring three performance stages and faculty offices, is directly next to Miller Auditorium. The Dalton Center houses the School of Music and Department of Dance. The Richmond Center for Visual Arts was added to the Fine Arts Complex in 2007, followed by South Kohrman Hall being renovated into faculty offices and upgraded studio spaces in 2008. Both buildings house the Gwen Frostic School of Art.[ citation needed ]
East Campus is the original development dating from the university's founding in 1903. It contains many of the university's historical buildings including, East Hall, West Hall, North Hall, Walwood Hall, Spindler Hall, Vandercook Hall, and The Little Theater. Many of these buildings are on a hill overlooking the city of Kalamazoo. Walwood Hall, renovated in 1992, is home to the Graduate College, the Graduate Student Advisory Committee, the Medieval Institute, the WMU Office of Research and Innovation, the Southwest Michigan Small Business Development Center, and several other academic and administrative offices.[ citation needed ]
In December 2012, WMU announced plans to renovate its birthplace, historic East Hall, for use as an alumni center. It also announced plans to demolish several of the university's original historic buildings and utilize the hilltop as green space. [15]
In August 2013 West Hall and the Speech and Hearing building on WMU's East Campus were demolished. [16] The original portion of East Hall was retained, but North Hall and the two side wings of East Hall came down. East Hall reopened in 2015 as Heritage Hall, home to the WMU Alumni Center. [17] In addition to the renovation of East Hall, the portico of North Hall was preserved and positioned just north of East Hall. [18]
The Oakland Drive campus is home to the university's College of Health and Human Services and the WMU Army ROTC program. It is also home to the Western Michigan University Archives and Regional History Collections, located in the Charles C. and Lynn L. Zhang Legacy Collections Center. [19] In 2021, the University Libraries announced that Special Collections would be moving from Waldo Library to the Zhang Center. [20]
The Parkview Campus is home to the university's College of Engineering and Applied Sciences and is within the Business Technology and Research Park. Erected in 2003, the $72.5 million building Floyd Hall is 343,000 square feet (31,900 m2) and features two three-story 600-foot (180 m) wings connected by a middle glass enclosure. The campus is about 3 miles (4.8 km) southwest of the main campus.[ citation needed ]
The 265-acre (1.07 km2) campus contains the paper coating plant. [21] The school offers 17 undergraduate engineering, technology and applied sciences programs, while the graduate level, the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences offers 9 master programs, and 6 doctoral programs.[ citation needed ]
The College of Aviation offers three undergraduate aviation majors in Battle Creek, Michigan.[ citation needed ]
The College of Aviation runs a Cirrus SR-20 fleet, turbine engine testing sites, and aviation maintenance training facilities. Additionally the College of Aviation has a fleet of Piper PA-44 Seminole, one Piper PA-18 Super Cub, and one American Champion Super Decathlon used for flight training. The facility is in Battle Creek, Michigan at W. K. Kellogg Airport. [22]
Because the demand for training was high, the city of Battle Creek and the Air National Guard, in conjunction with the College of Aviation, constructed a new runway just to the west of the original runway 23 and parallel to it. This caused Battle Creek's main runway to be renamed runway 23R and the new runway 23L. The project's cost was around $7 million, 95% of the money coming from the government. The runway is now fully "operational". [23]
From August 2017 to August 2019, Western Michigan University operated a satellite campus in Punta Gorda, Florida near the Punta Gorda Airport with additional facilities being located on the airfield. WMU planned to build a new building on the north side of the airport to consolidate the aviation classes at the airport. Western Michigan University offered aviation and music therapy programs in Punta Gorda and used Florida SouthWestern State College's campus. It was announced in February 2019 that WMU Punta Gorda would close due to low enrollment numbers. [24] [25]
Western Michigan University also has several regional sites that offer education to more than 6,000 students each year. These regional sites are in cities throughout Michigan:
Undergraduate admissions statistics | |
---|---|
Admit rate | 82.8% ( +0.5) |
Yield rate | 13.5% ( −12.6) |
Test scores middle 50% | |
SAT Total | 1000–1200 (among 37.1% of FTFs) |
ACT Composite | 21–27 (among 6.7% of FTFs) |
WMU is considered "selective" by U.S. News & World Report. [31] For the Class of 2025 (enrolled fall 2021), WMU received 18,853 applications and accepted 15,612 (82.8%). Of those accepted, 2,112 enrolled, a yield rate (the percentage of accepted students who choose to attend the university) of 13.5%. WMU's freshman retention rate is 77.2%, with 56.3% going on to graduate within six years. [30]
The enrolled first-year class of 2025 had the following standardized test scores: the middle 50% range (25th percentile-75th percentile) of SAT scores was 1000-1200, while the middle 50% range of ACT scores was 21-27. [30]
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Applicants | 18,853 | 16,582 | 17,698 | 17,051 | 14,263 | 13,613 |
Admits | 15,612 | 14,085 | 14,133 | 13,829 | 11,741 | 11,205 |
Admit rate | 82.8 | 84.9 | 79.9 | 81.1 | 82.3 | 82.3 |
Enrolled | 2,112 | 2,613 | 2,919 | 3,023 | 3,178 | 2,930 |
Yield rate | 13.5 | 18.6 | 20.7 | 21.9 | 27.1 | 26.1 |
ACT composite* (out of 36) | 21-27 (6.7%†) | 20-27 (22.4%†) | 19-26 (28.5%†) | 20-26 (32.9%†) | 20-26 (44.9%†) | 19-25 (96.2%†) |
SAT composite* (out of 1600) | 1000-1200 (37.1%†) | 1010-1210 (66.5%†) | 1000-1210 (81.5%†) | 1000-1190 (81.5%†) | 970-1180 (69.3%†) | — |
* middle 50% range † percentage of first-time freshmen who chose to submit |
Academic rankings | |
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National | |
Forbes [37] | 564 |
U.S. News & World Report [38] | 288 (tie) |
Washington Monthly [39] | 199 |
WSJ/College Pulse [40] | 401–500 |
Global | |
QS [41] | 1001–1200 |
U.S. News & World Report [42] | 1459 (tie) |
WMU is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity". [43] It has 147 undergraduate degree programs, 73 master's degree programs, 30 doctoral programs, and 1 specialist degree program. [44]
The university has seven degree-granting colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Aviation, the Haworth College of Business, the College of Education and Human Development, the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, the College of Fine Arts and the College of Health and Human Services. [45] In addition, the university has a Graduate College and the Lee Honors College. [45] Its most popular undergraduate majors, by 2021 graduates, were: [46]
The Haworth College of Business is the university's business school. One of the largest business schools in the United States, it has some 4,000 undergraduate students and 500 Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Accountancy (MSA) students. The college is in Schneider Hall on the main campus. [47] The College of Business was renamed in honor of alumnus G. W. Haworth after Haworth gave a large donation in the 1980s. [48]
Western Michigan began planning a medical school in 2008, named Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, which admitted its first class in August 2014. [49] Privately funded and created in partnership with Borgess Medical Center and Bronson Methodist Hospital, the school was seeded by a $100 million cash donation from Dr. Homer Stryker's granddaughter, Ronda Stryker, and her husband William Johnston, a WMU trustee – the largest cash gift ever given to a college or university in Michigan. [50] At the time it was the 15th largest cash gift ever given to any public university in the nation. [51]
In 2001, WMU and the Thomas M. Cooley Law School entered into a partnership where students could obtain a Master in Public Administration from WMU while simultaneously working on a Juris Doctor degree from Cooley. In 2008, WMU and Cooley expanded this partnership so now WMU students enrolled in both MPA and Masters in Business Administration programs at WMU may simultaneously work on obtaining a Juris Doctor degree from Cooley Law School at Western Michigan University. [52] The university ended its affiliation with the Cooley Law School in 2020. The law school closed its campus in Kalamazoo, Michigan in 2020. [53]
Race and ethnicity [54] | Total | ||
---|---|---|---|
White | 68% | ||
Black | 10% | ||
Hispanic | 8% | ||
Other [a] | 6% | ||
Foreign national | 5% | ||
Asian | 2% | ||
Economic diversity | |||
Low-income [b] | 28% | ||
Affluent [c] | 72% |
The Campus Activities Board is the main student organization responsible for bringing entertainment events for students. The organization sponsors concerts, comedians, films, and special events.
The Western Student Association (WSA) along with the Graduate Student Association (GSA) are the "primary" body of student government at Western Michigan University. [55]
WMU sponsors or recognizes several groups aimed towards personal and social development. This includes faith and spiritual development, the Office of LBGT Student Services, Greek Life, services for International Students, Multicultural Affairs, Off-Campus Life, and Sponsored Student Organizations. WMU also has around 400 student organizations registered through the university that are available to any student.[ citation needed ]
Placement of the Chemistry Building generated much controversy from student groups because it displaced a large portion of greenery in the center of West Campus. A temporary outdoor plaza was constructed outside of Sangren Hall in 2007 to replace the greenery. However, this also generated controversy and protests among students and faculty because of its aesthetic characteristics and costs. One such protest by a student group involved requesting the financial records of the construction and using chalk to depict the costs of each item on the plaza. [56]
The Western Herald is the school's student newspaper. It began printing in 1916 [57] and was known as the Western Normal Herald until 1927. [58] The paper provides news about the students, campus events and activities, as well as sporting events, opinion sections, and local culture and politics. The Western Herald maintains a staff of approximately about 40 students. [59] It is the oldest registered student organization at Western Michigan University. [60]
There are 32 Greek Life chapters, each having its own unique values and mission; including the Divine Nine which are the 9 historically black Greek organizations, along with honors, academic, service, and social chapters at WMU.[ citation needed ]
The Western Michigan Broncos are a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Football Bowl Subdivision school. They compete in the Mid-American Conference in men's basketball, baseball, football, soccer and tennis; and women's basketball, cross-country, golf, gymnastics, soccer, softball, track and field, and volleyball. The men's hockey team competes in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference.[ citation needed ]
The Western Michigan Broncos main rival is the Central Michigan Chippewas who also compete in the Mid-American Conference.[ citation needed ]
The Broncos have won two NCAA national championships. The cross country team won the NCAA title in 1964 and 1965. [61]
The current alma mater, Brown and Gold, and the current WMU fight song are the result of a 1959 contest to replace existing songs. Open to the university community, the two-stage contest first solicited lyrics and then music. Alumnus James H. Bull won the lyrics stage with his entry for Brown and Gold. Alumnus Walter Gilbert took the honors for the fight song lyrics and the music for both the fight song and alma mater. [62]
Western Michigan University has had a number of notable alumni. Among them are:[ citation needed ]
Kalamazoo is a city in and the county seat of Kalamazoo County, Michigan, United States. At the 2020 census, Kalamazoo had a population of 73,598. It is the principal city of the Kalamazoo–Portage metropolitan area in southwestern Michigan, which had a population of 261,670 in 2020.
Eastern Michigan University is a public research university in Ypsilanti, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1849 as the Michigan State Normal School, it was the fourth normal school established in the United States and the first outside New England. In 1899, the Michigan State Normal School became the first normal school in the nation to offer a four-year curriculum; the college became a university in 1959.
Wayne State University (WSU) is a public research university in Detroit, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1868, Wayne State consists of 13 schools and colleges offering approximately 375 programs. It is Michigan's third-largest university with nearly 24,000 graduate and undergraduate students. Wayne State University, along with the University of Michigan and Michigan State University, compose the University Research Corridor of Michigan. Wayne State is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity".
The University of Michigan–Flint (UM-Flint) is a public university in Flint, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1956 as the Flint Senior College, it was initially established as a remote branch of the University of Michigan, offering upper-division undergraduate courses. The institution developed into a fully-fledged university and received accreditation in 1970. Subsequently, the name was changed to the University of Michigan–Flint. It continues to adhere to the policies of the University of Michigan Board of Regents without having a separate governing board.
Davenport University is a private university with campuses throughout Michigan and online. It was founded in 1866 by Conrad Swensburg and currently offers associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees; diplomas; and post-grad certification programs in business, technology, health professions, and graduate studies (MBA).
Kalamazoo Valley Community College (KVCC) is a public community college in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It was established in 1966 by the overwhelming approval of voters in nine local school districts. Kalamazoo Valley offers 50 certificate programs and associate degrees in 60 areas of study. In addition to associate degree and certificate programs in business, health care, human and public services, technical and industrial occupations, the college also provides a quality experience for students preparing to transfer to four-year institutions following graduation. Michigan National Guard close family members can receive tuition assistance to attend KVCC as of August 2023.
Harry W. Lawson Ice Arena and Gabel Natatorium is a 3,667-seat multi-purpose arena, and adjacent natatorium in Kalamazoo, Michigan, located on the far Southwest corner of Western Michigan University's main campus. The arena is a single-level, horseshoe-style arena with a concourse at the top. It is home to the Western Michigan Broncos men's ice hockey team, the WMU men's ice hockey club team, and the WMU synchronized skating club team. The arena is named after Harry W. Lawson, the founder of the hockey program at Western Michigan University. The Gabel Natatorium contains an olympic size swimming pool, diving facility, and is home to the WMU Swimming and Diving Club team.
Elson S. Floyd was an American educator who served as the 10th president of the four-campus Washington State University from May 21, 2007 to June 20, 2015. Floyd was also the first African American to be named president of Washington State University. Floyd also served as president of the University of Missouri System and president of Western Michigan University. Floyd was the Chairman of the Pac-12 CEO Group.
East Campus is a collection of buildings and facilities situated on the 60-acre (240,000 m2) hilltop campus that is the original site of Western Michigan University. It includes some of WMU's athletic facilities including Waldo Stadium, Hyames Field, Ebert Field and the Donald Seelye Athletic Center. The campus sits on the top of Prospect Hill, which overlooks the city of Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Oakland Drive Campus is a campus of Western Michigan University. It is the university's newest land acquisition. The campus, acquired in 1998, was originally state property used by the Kalamazoo Regional Psychiatric Hospital. The hospital is still leased to the state and remains in operation, although in a more limited role. Geographically, it is generally located between West Campus and East Campus, allowing for a natural accessibility. A focal point of the area is the Kalamazoo State Hospital Water Tower. Completed in 1895, this 175 feet (53 m) tall gothic-style construction can be seen from many areas on campus and in town. The newer Oakland Drive Campus buildings are located on Oakland Drive, north of the hospital and water tower.
The Western State Normal Railroad, also known as the Normal Railroad or Western Trolley, was a funicular which operated on the campus of Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan, in the United States from 1908–1949. It is the only known example of a private railroad operated by a university.
Edward B. Montgomery is an American economist, academic, and politician who currently serves as the president of Western Michigan University. He is one of the key players in helping pull the United States out of the automotive crisis.
Cooley Law School (Cooley) is a private law school in Lansing, Michigan, and Riverview, Florida. It was established in 1972. At its peak in 2010, Cooley had over 3,900 students and was the largest US law school by enrollment; as of the Spring of 2022, Cooley had approximately 500 students between its two campuses. In November 2020, Western Michigan University's board of trustees voted to end its affiliation with Cooley, which began in 2014, with disassociation effective November 5, 2023. As of 2024, Cooley has failed to reach the 75% two year bar passage required of ABA Standard 316 for continued accreditation. Multiple media outlets have labeled Cooley the "worst law school in America".
Downtown Lansing is the central business district of Lansing, the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. Located in the west-central part of the city along the banks of the Grand River, downtown Lansing is the primary home of the state's government and three colleges, and also contains sports facilities, museums, entertainment and retail, and a growing residential population.
Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine (WMed) is a private medical school in Kalamazoo, Michigan. WMed was established in 2012 and confers the Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree, as well as Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences degree and the Master of Science in Medical Engineering degree. WMed is a collaboration between Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo's two teaching hospitals, Ascension Borgess and Bronson Healthcare. The inaugural class of 54 students started in August 2014.
Richard W. Malott is a professor emeritus of psychology at Western Michigan University and a member of the board of directors at the Judge Rotenberg Center. He is a former president of Association for Behavior Analysis International.
Western Michigan University's SkyBroncos Precision Flight Team is the official university-sanctioned flying team of Western Michigan University
Andre "Drey" Ricks is a former NCAA Division I basketball player for Western Michigan University, and the founder of Rawimpact Clothing Brand & Rawimpact Basketball Training Academy.