Western Michigan University
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| Western Michigan University | |
|---|---|
| Image:WMUlogo.gif | |
| Established | 1903 |
| Type: | Public |
| Endowment: | $168,398,000 |
| President: | John M Dunn |
| Faculty: | 925 |
| Students: | 24,433 |
| Undergraduates: | 19,718 |
| Postgraduates: | 4,715 |
| Location | Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA |
| Campus: | suburban |
| Colors: | Brown and Gold |
| Nickname: | Broncos |
| Mascot: | Buster Bronco |
| Website: | wmich.edu WMUBroncos.com |
Western Michigan University (abbr. WMU) is a public university established in 1903 by Dwight B. Waldo. When the school first opened, it was known as the Western State Normal School but was later renamed Western State Teachers College. On Febuary 26, 1957 Governor G. Mennen Williams signed into law a bill making Western Michigan College the state's fourth public university.
WMU's main campus is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA. As of the 2007-2008 school year, the school has slightly fewer than 25,000 students. The school is the fourth largest in the state of Michigan and is one of the 50 largest universities in the United States.The school's mascot is Buster Bronco, and the school colors are brown and gold.
WMU's College of Aviation is one of the largest aviation programs in the United States; the university is also noted for its Paper Engineering and Behavioral Analysis programs, as well as for the Haworth College of Business and Army ROTC program. WMU's theatre department has also produced many talented individuals working in the entertainment industry throughout the country. Additionally, the WMU School of Music is recognized as offering some of the best programs in the Nation for those with musical interests and aspirations.[citation needed]
WMU's expansion projects include a new Business and Technology park for research, a new aviation campus in Battle Creek, Michigan, and extensive building renovation and restoration in the Kalamazoo campus, as well as a new chemistry building and a visual arts center.
WMU is the site of the annual International Congress on Medieval Studies.
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[edit] Academics
The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching places WMU among the 76 public institutions in the nation designated as research universities with high research activity. U.S. News & World Report's annual ranking of American colleges and universities includes WMU as one of the nation's top-100 public universities. Princeton Review included Western Michigan on its 'best Midwestern colleges' list for two years in a row. The University also had six Fulbright Scholars, the most of any school in the state of Michigan in 2006, these individuals are recognized for increasing understanding between the United States and other countries.
The university offers 254 degree programs through 9 colleges. The colleges that are part of WMU are: the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Aviation, the Haworth College of Business, the College of Education, the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, the College of Fine Arts, the College of Health and Human Services, the Lee Honors College, and the Graduate College.
The Haworth College of Business operates out of Arnold Schneider Hall. The school is named for an alumnus, who gave a gift of $5,000,000 towards the construction of Schneider Hall, and later served on the school's board of directors. Aside from having a nationally recognized undergraduate business program, the Haworth College of Business has one of the oldest and most successful Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs in the state. It also is the sixth largest college of business in the country, with over 5,200 students.
[edit] Campus
WMU’s campuses encompass more than 1,200 acres and roughly 150 buildings. Western is divided into four campuses in Kalamazoo:
- West Campus
- East Campus
- Oakland Drive Campus
- Parkview Campus
[edit] West Campus
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 located on West Campus, including the College of Arts and Sciences, Haworth College of Business, College of Education, College of Fine Arts, and the Lee Honors College. Many of the residence halls are found scattered throughout West Campus, while other dormitories (affectionately referred to as "The Valleys") are located a short distance away in Goldsworth Valley.
The Bernhard Center is a centrally located multi-purpose building to provide student and community groups with meeting space. Located within the Bernhard Center is the Bronco Mall, a one-stop-shop for students which includes a large 24-hour computer lab, a food court and dining area, a full service bank, and one of two school bookstores. Waldo Library and the attached University Computing Center are located on West Campus, as is the Dalton Musical Center. Recently constructed buildings on West Campus include the Richmond Center for Visual Arts and the new Chemistry Building, which replaces aging McCracken Hall.
McCracken hall is also the location of the Paper pilot plant. The plant handles research and small on-site production trials of paper for the university and private clients.
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 many events ranging from popular musicals and concerts to graduation commencements and film screenings. The Gilmore Theater Complex is located directly next to Miller Auditorium, and features three performance stages and faculty offices.
[edit] East Campus
East Campus is the original development dating from when the university was founded 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 located on a hill overlooking the city of Kalamazoo.
[edit] Oakland Drive Campus
The Oakland Drive Campus is the university's newest land acquisition. It is home to the university's College of Health and Human Services and the WMU Army ROTC program.
[edit] Parkview Campus
The Parkview Campus is home to the University's College of Engineering and Applied Sciences and the Business Technology and Research Park. Erected in 2003, the $72.5 million building is 343,000 square feet and features two two-story 600 foot wings connected by a middle glass enclosure. The state of the art campus is located about 3 miles southwest of the main campus. Students often commute to the campus via a free shuttle bus that runs Monday through Friday between the main campus and the engineering college.
The 265 acre campus contains the paper coating plant with space available for the paper pilot plant on west campus. The school offers 16 undergraduate engineering, technology and applied sciences programs, while the graduate level, the College of Engineering offers 11 master programs, and 5 doctoral programs.
[edit] Branch campuses
Western Michigan University also has several branch campuses that offer education to more than 6,000 students each year. These branch campuses are located in various cities throughout Michigan:
- Battle Creek, site of the College of Aviation.
- Grand Rapids
- Holland
- Lansing
- Muskegon
- South Haven
- Benton Harbor (Southwest)
- Traverse City
[edit] Student life
Western Michigan offers a wide range of activities and student organizations for its students to get involved with. There are currently over 300 registered student organizations that students may join. Students are welcomed to school each year with Bronco Bash, an event with live entertainment performances and booths sponsored by student and community organizations.
[edit] Student Government
The Western Student Association (WSA) is the primary body of student government at Western Michigan University.
[edit] Entertainment
The Campus Activities Board CAB is the main student organization responsible for bringing entertainment events for students. Some events the organization sponsors include "At The Show" concerts, "Bernie's After Hours" comedians, "Special Events Live" and "Miller Movies," presented at the school's main theater, Miller Auditorium. CAB sponsors both Bronco Bash and WMU's student Homecoming activities.
[edit] Social Groups
WMU sponsors or recognizes several groups aimed towards personal and social development. This includes Faith and Spiritual Development, LBGT Student Services, Greek Life, services for International Students, Multicultural Affairs, Off-Campus Life, and Sponsored Student Organizations.
[edit] Student Groups
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[1].
A controversy of a mandatory living wage for full time employees of the university is currently being disputed by both the university and students.
The College Republicans at Western Michigan University were voted "Best College Republican Chapter in the Country" in 2006[2].
[edit] Fraternities & Sororities
Some of the fraternities established on campus include Delta Sigma Pi, Tau Kappa Epsilon, Alpha Phi Alpha, Phi Sigma Kappa, Lambda Chi Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Phi, Omega Psi Phi, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Alpha Tau Omega, Delta Sigma Phi, Sigma Pi, Sigma Chi, Delta Chi, and Sigma Lambda Beta.
Some of the sororities established on WMU's campus are Alpha Omicron Pi, Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Phi, Alpha Xi Delta, Chi Omega, Sigma Kappa, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Zeta, Pi Beta Phi, Delta Sigma Theta, Sigma Lambda Gamma.
[edit] Health Services
Western Michigan University students and faculty are served by Sindecuse Health Center. Resources include full clinical, diagnostic, and nursing services, health promotion options, sports medicine and therapy, dental services, and a pharmacy. Sindecuse Health Center is located on West Campus.
[edit] Misc
The Moped Army, an avid group of moped riders, was formed in 1997 by three friends attending the university.
[edit] Athletics
[edit] Fight Song
Fight on, fight on for Western!
Take the ball, make the score
Win the game
Onward for the brown and gold
Push 'em back, push 'em back!
Bring us fame!
Fight on, fight on for Western!
Over one, over all, We will reign!
Fight, Broncos fight!
Fight with all your might!
Western win this game!
[edit] The Alma Mater
Western we sing to you, brown and gold
Western we bring to you faith untold
You challenge and inspire,
Your hope is our desire,
We sing to you our alma mater, brown and gold!
[edit] Official Seal
In 1957, WMU art professor John Kemper drafted a sketch that would eventually be adopted as the official seal of WMU. The design has four main components – five stars, a tree, a stone arch, and a pyramid. The five stars symbolize the main academic units in place when WMU gained university status--the schools of Applied Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Graduate Studies. The tree signifies the University's continuing growth, while its roots acknowledge the institution's firm planting through its creation by the Michigan Legislature in 1903. The stone arch symbolizes a gateway to knowledge as well as solid growth, while the missing keystone indicates the University's growth is incomplete, with much more remaining to be accomplished and discovered. The pyramid stands for the building of knowledge and features a flame at its apex to signify enlightenment-WMU's true purpose.
[edit] Notable alumni
[edit] External links
- Official Sites
- Athletic Message Boards
- Student Government
[edit] References
- Davis, Paula. "WMU students protest spending on new plaza", Kalamazoo Gazette, September 19 2007. Accessed October 1 2007
Mid-American Conference | |
|---|---|
| East division | Akron (Zips) • Bowling Green (Falcons) • Buffalo (Bulls) • Kent State (Golden Flashes) • Miami (RedHawks) • Ohio (Bobcats) |
| West division | Ball State (Cardinals) • Central Michigan (Chippewas) • Eastern Michigan (Eagles) • Northern Illinois (Huskies) • Toledo (Rockets) • Western Michigan (Broncos) |
| Affiliates | Hartwick (men's soccer) • Missouri State (field hockey) • Temple (football) |
Public universities in Michigan |
|---|
| Central Michigan • Eastern Michigan • Ferris State • Grand Valley State • Lake Superior State • Michigan State • Michigan Tech • Northern Michigan • Oakland • Saginaw Valley State • U-M Ann Arbor • U-M Dearborn • U-M Flint • Wayne State • Western Michigan |
| Western Michigan University | |
|---|---|
|
Academics |
Haworth College of Business • International Congress on Medieval Studies • Lee Honors College • New Issues Press • Paper engineering |
|
Athletics |
Basketball • Broncos • Buster Bronco • Central Collegiate Hockey Association • Seelye Athletic Center • Ebert Field • Football • Hyames Field • Kanley Track • Lawson Arena • Michigan MAC Trophy • Mid-American Conference • University Arena • Waldo Stadium |
|
Campus |
Bernhard Center • East Campus • Kalamazoo • Miller Auditorium • Oakland Drive Campus • Parkview Campus • Student Recreation Center • Waldo Library • West Campus |
|
History | |
|
People |
Alumni • Bill Cubit • John Dunn • Steve Hawkins • Paul Maier • Michael Swords |
|
Student Life | |
Categories: All articles with unsourced statements | Articles with unsourced statements since June 2007 | Central Collegiate Hockey Association | Public universities in Michigan | Educational institutions established in 1903 | Kalamazoo County, Michigan | North Central Association of Colleges and Schools | Universities and colleges in Michigan | Western Michigan University | Mid-American Conference
