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Western Michigan University (abbr. WMU) is a public university established in 1903; its main campus is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. As of 2006, the school has over 26,000 enrolled 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. WMU's theatre department has also produced many talented individuals working in the entertainment industry throughout the country.

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 that are expected to be completed in Fall of 2006.

WMU is the site of the annual International Congress on Medieval Studies.

Academics

Currently, Western has 26,239 students enrolled for the 2005-2006 academic year; 21,434 undergraduate students and 4,805 graduate students. The average entering freshmen at Western received an ACT score of 20-25 and had a high school GPA of 3.3.

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.

Campus

Western Michigan University is divided into four campuses in Kalamazoo:
  • West Campus
  • East Campus
  • Oakland Drive Campus
  • Parkview Campus

West Campus

West Campus is main and largest campus in Kalamazoo. Most of the University academic and administrative buildings are located on West Campus. Many of the residence halls are found scattered throughout West Campus. The Bernhard Center is also located on West Campus to provide student and community groups with meeting space.

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 musicals, concerts, and graduation commencements.

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, and Vandercook Hall. Many of these buildings are located on a hill overlooking the city of Kalamazoo. Although most of the academic and administrative functions of the university have moved to West Campus, East Hall houses the Western Michigan University Archives. Despite being on the National Register of Historic Places, WMU largely neglects East Hall and the rest of Historic East Campus.

East Campus is also the site of some of Western's athletic facilities including Waldo Stadium, as well as Hyames Field.

Oakland Drive Campus

The Oakland Drive Campus is the university's newest land acquisition. The campus, acquired in 1998, was originally state property used by the Kalamazoo Regional Psychiatric Hospital. The hospital is still leased to the state and remains in operation. The Oakland Drive Campus is home to the university's College of Health and Human Services. The college's new $48.2 million facility opened in 2005.

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 campus is located about 3 miles southwest of the main campus. Students often commute to the campus via a shuttle bus that runs Monday through Friday between the main campus and the engineering college.

Branch Campuses

Western also has several branch campuses that offer education to more than 6000 students each year. These branch campuses are located in various cities throughout Michigan:

Student life

Western offers a wide range of activities for its students. 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. The Campus Activities Board (CAB) is the main student organization responsible for bringing entertainment events for students. Some events the organization sponsors include concerts, comedians, and "Miller Movies," presented at the school's main theater, Miller Auditorium.

Athletics

Western Michigan University is a NCAA Division I-A school and competes in the Mid-American Conference in men's baseball, basketball, football, soccer and tennis; and women's basketball, cross-country, golf, gymnastics, soccer, softball, track and field, and volleyball. The men's hockey team competes in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association.

The facilities include Waldo Stadium (football), University Arena (men's and women's basketball, volleyball), Lawson Arena (hockey), Hyames Field (baseball), Ebert Field (softball), Sorensen Courts/West Hills Athletic Club (men's and women's tennis), and Kanley Track (women's track and field). The soccer teams compete at the WMU Soccer Complex located near the Parkview Campus.

The school's primary intra-state rival is Central Michigan University.

WMU athletic teams are known as the "Broncos".

MAC Championships

  • Baseball: 1989, 1967, 1966, 1963, 1962, 1961, 1959, 1958, 1957, 1955, 1952, 1951, 1950, 1949
  • Basketball (Men's): 2004-05 (West Division), 2003-04 (West Division), 1997-98 (West Division), 1980-81, 1975-76, 1951-52
  • Basketball (Women's): 1999-2000 (West Division)
  • Cross Country (Men's): 1980, 1979, 1977, 1976, 1970, 1968, 1966, 1963, 1961, 1960, 1959, 1958, 1957, 1948
  • Cross Country (Women's): 1993, 1986, 1985, 1984
  • Football: 2000 (West Division), 1999 (West Division), 1988, 1966
  • Golf (Men's): 1949
  • Gymnastics: 1987, 1986
  • Softball: 2006
  • Swimming and Diving (Men's): 1964, 1963
  • Tennis (Men's): 2004, 2000, 1999, 1981, 1965, 1964, 1963, 1962, 1961, 1960, 1959, 1958, 1957, 1956, 1955, 1954, 1952, 1950
  • Tennis (Women's): 2006, 2005, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1997, 1995, 1990, 1984
  • Track and Field (Men's): 1996, 1995, 1985, 1980, 1976, 1971, 1970, 1969, 1968, 1966, 1965, 1964, 1963, 1962, 1961, 1960, 1959, 1958
  • Track and Field (Women's): 1987, 1985
  • Volleyball: 2000, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1982

CCHA Championships

  • 1974-75, 1973-74

Notable alumni

External links

Educational institutions established in 1903 | Central Collegiate Hockey Association | Kalamazoo County, Michigan | Universities and colleges in Michigan | Western Michigan University | Mid-American Conference

 

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the "Western Michigan University".

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