Western Michigan University

"Western State Normal School" redirects here. For the institution in Maine formerly known as "Western State Normal School", see University of Maine at Farmington.

Western Michigan University
Former names
Western State Normal School (1903–1926), Western State Teachers College (1927–1940), Western Michigan College of Education, Western Michigan College (1955–1957)
MottoSo that all may learn.
TypePublic research university
EstablishedMay 27, 1903; 121 years ago (1903-05-27)
Academic affiliations
Space-grant
Endowment$640.2 million (2023)[1]
Budget$410.6 million (2023/24) [2]
PresidentEdward B. Montgomery
Academic staff
751 (full-time)[3]
Students17,605 (2024)[4]
Undergraduates13,860 (2024)[4]
Postgraduates3,745 (2024)[4]
Location
Kalamazoo
,
Michigan
,
United States

42°17′00″N 85°36′50″W / 42.28333°N 85.61389°W / 42.28333; -85.61389
CampusUrban
ColorsBrown and Gold[5]
   
NicknameBroncos
Sporting affiliations
NCAA Division I – MAC, NCHC
MascotBuster Bronco
Websitewww.wmich.edu

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.

History

[edit]
Western State Normal School, 1915

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]

Presidents

[edit]

Campus

[edit]

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

[edit]
Stewart Clocktower, flanked by Waldo Library to the left, and the University Computing Center.

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]

WMU Student Center, interior gathering stairs

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

[edit]
Main article: East Campus (Western Michigan University)
East Hall

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]

Oakland Drive Campus

[edit]
Main article: Oakland Drive Campus

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]

Parkview Campus

[edit]
College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Parkview Campus

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]

College of Aviation

[edit]
A Cirrus SR20 belonging to WMU

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]

Regional sites

[edit]

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:

Academics

[edit]

Undergraduate admissions

[edit]
Undergraduate admissions statistics
2021 entering
class[30]Change vs.
2016
Admit rate82.8%
(Steady +0.5)
Yield rate13.5%
(Decrease −12.6)
Test scores middle 50%
SAT Total1000–1200
(among 37.1% of FTFs)
ACT Composite21–27
(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]

Fall First-Time Freshman Statistics [30] [32] [33] [34] [35] [36]
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 divisions

[edit]
Academic rankings
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]

Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies (216)
Finance (147)
Accounting (145)
Marketing (118)
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse (118)
Health and Medical Administrative Services (111)
Airline/Commercial/Professional Pilot and Flight Crew (107)

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]

Medical school

[edit]

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]

Law school

[edit]

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]

Student life

[edit]
Students enjoying WMU's Main Campus on a spring day.
Student body composition as of May 2, 2022
Race and ethnicity[54] Total
White 68% 68
 
Black 10% 10
 
Hispanic 8% 8
 
Other[a] 6% 6
 
Foreign national 5% 5
 
Asian 2% 2
 
Economic diversity
Low-income[b] 28% 28
 
Affluent[c] 72% 72
 

Entertainment

[edit]

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.

Student government

[edit]

The Western Student Association (WSA) along with the Graduate Student Association (GSA) are the "primary" body of student government at Western Michigan University.[55]

Social groups

[edit]

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]

Student activism

[edit]

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]

Fraternities and sororities

[edit]

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]

Athletics

[edit]
Main article: Western Michigan Broncos
A Western Michigan Broncos men's ice hockey game against Omaha in 2015

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.[57]

School songs

[edit]

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.[58]

Notable alumni

[edit]
Main article: List of Western Michigan University alumni

Western Michigan University has had a number of notable alumni. Among them are:[citation needed]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Other consists of Multiracial Americans & those who prefer to not say.
  2. ^ The percentage of students who received an income-based federal Pell grant intended for low-income students.
  3. ^ The percentage of students who are a part of the American middle class at the bare minimum.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ As of FY, 2023. U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2023 Endowment Market Value and Change in Endowment Market Value from FY22 to FY23 (Report). National Association of College and University Business Officers and TIAA. February 15, 2024. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  2. ^ "2023/24 GENERAL FUND PLANNING BUDGET OUTLOOK" (PDF). WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
  3. ^ "College Navigator – Western Michigan University". nces.ed.gov.
  4. ^ a b c d "Data on Students Enrolled". wmich.edu.
  5. ^ "Color Palette | Visual Identity Program | Western Michigan University". Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  6. ^ "Carnegie Classifications Institution Lookup". carnegieclassifications.iu.edu. Center for Postsecondary Education. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  7. ^ "Original 1903 Campus Plan for Western State Normal School". Retrieved December 13, 2014.
  8. ^ "1903 Campus Plan | Campus Planning | Western Michigan University". Cf.wmich.edu. Retrieved November 25, 2011.
  9. ^ "Western Trolley Commemoration | Photos Images Trivia | Western Michigan University". Cf.wmich.edu. Retrieved November 25, 2011.
  10. ^ "Cooley Law is now Western Michigan University Cooley Law School". wmich.edu.
  11. ^ "Western Michigan University will end affiliation with Thomas M. Cooley Law School". www.insidehighered.com. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  12. ^ "WMU's budget realities and next steps". Retrieved May 3, 2020.
  13. ^ "Supply Chain Education". Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  14. ^ "See inside Western Michigan University's new $99M student center". Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  15. ^ Ursula Zerilli (December 10, 2012). "WMU's East Hall to undergo renovation for alumni center; 3 surrounding historic buildings to be demolished". MLive.com. Retrieved November 21, 2013.
  16. ^ "WMU's Speech and Hearing is the first of East Campus buildings to be demolished". Mlive. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
  17. ^ "Community values focus of Heritage Hall grand opening". WMU News. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
  18. ^ "Heritage Hall Alumni Center". Western Michigan University. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
  19. ^ "Dedication set for Zhang Legacy Collections Center | WMU News | Western Michigan University". Wmich.edu. October 11, 2013. Retrieved December 11, 2013.
  20. ^ "Libraries' special collections moving to Zhang Legacy Collections Center". Wmich.edu. August 16, 2021. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  21. ^ "About the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences". About. Western Michigan University. Retrieved November 30, 2016.
  22. ^ "About". College of Aviation Western Michigan University. Archived from the original on May 12, 2016. Retrieved November 30, 2016.
  23. ^ "AIRPORT DIAGRAM" (PDF). Retrieved November 30, 2016.
  24. ^ Finaldi, Laura. "Western Michigan University closing Punta Gorda location". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Retrieved August 28, 2019.
  25. ^ "Western Michigan University to Close Its Punta Gorda, Fla. Location". Western Michigan University. February 12, 2019. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  26. ^ "WMU-Battle Creek | Western Michigan University". Wmich.edu. Retrieved December 11, 2013.
  27. ^ "WMU-Southwest | Western Michigan University". Wmich.edu. Retrieved December 11, 2013.
  28. ^ "WMU-Grand Rapids | Western Michigan University". Wmich.edu. Retrieved December 11, 2013.
  29. ^ "WMU-MetroDetroit | Western Michigan University". Wmich.edu. Retrieved December 11, 2013.
  30. ^ a b c d "WMU Common Data Set 2021-2022" (PDF). WMU Institutional Research. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  31. ^ "Western Michigan University". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  32. ^ "WMU Common Data Set 2020-2021" (PDF). WMU Institutional Research. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  33. ^ "WMU Common Data Set 2019-2020" (PDF). WMU Institutional Research. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  34. ^ "WMU Common Data Set 2018-2019" (PDF). WMU Institutional Research. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  35. ^ "WMU Common Data Set 2017-2018" (PDF). WMU Institutional Research. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  36. ^ "WMU Common Data Set 2016-2017" (PDF). WMU Institutional Research. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  37. ^ "America's Top Colleges 2024". Forbes. September 6, 2024. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  38. ^ "2024-2025 Best National Universities Rankings". U.S. News & World Report. September 23, 2024. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  39. ^ "2024 National University Rankings". Washington Monthly. August 25, 2024. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  40. ^ "2025 Best Colleges in the U.S." The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse. September 4, 2024. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
  41. ^ "QS World University Rankings 2025". Quacquarelli Symonds. June 4, 2024. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  42. ^ "2024-2025 Best Global Universities Rankings". U.S. News & World Report. June 24, 2024. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  43. ^ "Carnegie Classifications | Institution Profile". Classifications.carnegiefoundation.org. Retrieved June 3, 2012.
  44. ^ "About WMU | Western Michigan University". Wmich.edu. Retrieved April 13, 2017.
  45. ^ a b "Colleges | Directories | Western Michigan University". Wmich.edu. Retrieved June 3, 2012.
  46. ^ "Western Michigan University". nces.ed.gov. U.S. Dept of Education. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  47. ^ "About | Haworth College of Business | Western Michigan University". Wmich.edu. Archived from the original on July 3, 2012. Retrieved June 3, 2012.
  48. ^ "History | Haworth College of Business | Western Michigan University". Wmich.edu. Archived from the original on December 27, 2011. Retrieved June 3, 2012.
  49. ^ "WMed". Western Michigan University. Retrieved April 10, 2013.
  50. ^ Davis, Paula M. (March 22, 2011). "Historic moment: WMU receives $100 million cash gift for medical school". MLive. Retrieved April 10, 2013.
  51. ^ "Record $100 million gift supports new medical school". Wmich.edu. March 17, 2011. Retrieved November 25, 2011.
  52. ^ [1] Archived September 29, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  53. ^ "Western Michigan University trustees vote to end affiliation with Cooley Law, calling it 'a distraction'". Stephanie Francis Ward, ABA Journal, November 5, 2020. Retrieved November 7, 2020.
  54. ^ "College Scorecard: Western Michigan University". United States Department of Education. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
  55. ^ "Western Student Association". Wsa.wmich.edu. Retrieved November 25, 2011.
  56. ^ "Michigan". Mlive.com. November 1, 2011. Archived from the original on February 22, 2012. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
  57. ^ "Men's Cross Country DI". NCAA.com. Retrieved November 21, 2013.
  58. ^ "Traditions". www.wmubroncos.com. Retrieved October 2, 2014.
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