Menu
Western Michigan University
Western Michigan University (WMU) is a public university located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States. The university was established in 1903 by Dwight B. Waldo, and as of the Fall 2013 semester, its enrollment is 24,294.
WMU has one of the largest aviation programs in the United States, and it is the site of the annual International Congress on Medieval Studies. The university's athletic teams compete in Division I of the NCAA and are collectively known as the Western Michigan Broncos. They compete in the Mid-American Conference for most sports.
Tag
Location
Address
1903 West Michigan Avenue
City
Kalamazoo
State
MI
Contact Information
Phone
Website
Facebook URL
Twitter URL
Financial Aid Website
Stats
Total Undergrad enrollment
19198
Total Graduate enrollment
5120
In State Tuition Fees
9464
Out State Tuition Fees
23218
ACT Score
25
SAT Score
1120
Grade Point Average(GPA)
3.3
Male Female Ratio
50:50
Acceptance Rate
84%
Student Faculty Ratio
18:01
Additional Information
College Type
Public
Religious Affiliation
N/A
Campus Housing
Yes
Mascot
Buster Bronco
Colors
Brown and Gold
Conference
Mid-American (MAC)
Athletic Facebook
Athletic Twitter
College History
History
On May 27, 1903, Michigan Governor Aaron T. Bliss signed a bill authorizing the creation of the State's fourth teacher-training facility. The three other normal schools were in Ypsilanti (Eastern), Mount Pleasant (Central), and Marquette (Northern). 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 East Hall, was constructed in 1904.
The University was first officially known as Western State Normal School, and originally offered a two-year training program. The first principal and president 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, Michigan College of Education in 1941, and Western Michigan College in 1955. On February 26, 1957, Governor G. Mennen Williams signed into law a bill making Western Michigan College the state's fourth public university, giving the school its current name of Western Michigan University.
College Specialty
Specialty
Western Michigan University is a learner-centered, research university, building intellectual inquiry and discovery into undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs in a way that fosters knowledge and innovation, and transforms wisdom into action. As a public university, WMU provides leadership in teaching, research, learning, and service, and is committed to enhancing the future of our global citizenry.
Alumni
Alumni
Bonnie Jo Campbell, author; Xavier Davis, pianist; Gwen Frostic, artist, naturalist, poet laureate of Michigan, namesake of WMU's Frostic School of Art, 1929 Bachelor of Arts; Hideaki Miyamura, potter; Howard Norman, novelist; Carey Salerno, poet; Jamie Thomas, poet; Terry Wooten, poet.
Alumni Association:wmich.edu/education/alumni
Campus
Campus
WMU's campuses encompass more than 1,200 acres (4.9 km2) and roughly 150 buildings. Western is divided into five campuses in and near Kalamazoo.
