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.

  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.