Western Michigan University
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 State Normal School" redirects here. For the institution in Maine formerly known as "Western State Normal School", see University of Maine at Farmington.
Former names
Western State Normal School (1903–1926), Western State Teachers College (1927–1940), Western Michigan College of Education, Western Michigan College (1955–1957)
So that all may learn.
May 27, 1903
$640.2 million (2023)[1]
$410.6 million (2023/24) [2]
Edward B. Montgomery, PhD
864 (Full Time)[3]
16,643[4]
13,177[4]
3,466[4]
Urban
Brown and Gold[5]
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 one 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.
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.[59]
Western Michigan University has had a number of notable alumni. Among them are:
