Western Washington University

Western Washington University
Former names
Northwest Normal School (1886–1893)
New Whatcom Normal School (1893–1901)
State Normal School at Whatcom
Washington State Normal School at Bellingham (1901–1904)
Western Washington College of Education (1904–1937)
Western Washington State College (1937–1977)
Motto"Make Waves"[1]
TypePublic university
EstablishedFebruary 24, 1893; 131 years ago (1893-02-24)
AccreditationNWCCU
Academic affiliation
COP[2]
Endowment$109.8 million (2022)[3]
PresidentSabah Randhawa
ProvostBrad Johnson[4]
Academic staff
684 full time (2022)[5]
Administrative staff
1,437 (2018)[6]
Students14,747 (2022)[5]
Undergraduates13,801 (2022)[5]
Postgraduates947 (2022)[5]
Location
Bellingham
,
Washington
,
United States

48°44′02″N 122°29′10″W / 48.734°N 122.486°W / 48.734; -122.486
CampusSmall city[7], 215 acres (87 ha)
Other campuses[8]
NewspaperThe Western Front
ColorsBlue, light blue, gray, black, and white[9]
         
NicknameVikings
Sporting affiliations
MascotVictor E. Viking[10]
Websitewwu.edu
Western Washington University is located in Washington (state)
Western Washington University
Location in Washington

Western Washington University (WWU or Western) is a public university in Bellingham, Washington, United States. The northernmost university in the contiguous United States, WWU was founded in 1893 as the state-funded New Whatcom Normal School, succeeding a private school of teaching for women founded in 1886. The university adopted its present name in 1977.

WWU offers bachelor's and master's degrees as a few doctorates. In 2022, there were 14,747 students, 13,801 of whom were undergraduate students, and 664 full-time faculty.[5] Its athletic teams are known as the Vikings, which compete in Division II of the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

The main campus is located on 215 acres in Bellingham.[11][12] WWU also operates a marine center in Anacortes[13] and academic locations in Everett[14] and the Olympic and Kitsap Peninsulas.[15] The university is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

  1. ^ "WWU Brand Guide". Western Washington University Brand Guide. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
  2. ^ "About -Council of Presidents".
  3. ^ "Endowment Management Reports". The Foundation for WWU & Alumni. Western Washington University. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  4. ^ "Brad Johnson Named WWU's New Provost and Executive Vice President". WWU News. Western Washington University. April 26, 2022. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d e Cite error: The named reference CollegeNav was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ "Diversity, Equity & Inclusion". Western Washington University. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
  7. ^ "IPEDS-West Washington University".
  8. ^ "Locations".
  9. ^ "Western Washington University Athletics Brand". Brand and Communication Guide. Western Washington University. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  10. ^ "Victor E. Viking". Western Washington University Athletics. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  11. ^ Berend, Emily; Ekstrom, Mandy (Winter 2018). "Sustainability Signage" (PDF). Sustainability Engagement Institute. Western Washington University.
  12. ^ "Contact Us". Western Washington University. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
  13. ^ "Western Washington University Locations". Western Washington University. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
  14. ^ "Earn a degree in Everett | Western Washington University". www.wwu.edu. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
  15. ^ "Home | WWU on the Peninsulas | Western Washington University". peninsulas.wwu.edu. Retrieved October 11, 2024.