History, Affiliations and Rankings
Western Michigan University was established in 1903 as a public university. Formerly known as Western State Normal School, it provided 2-year teacher training courses to students. It was in 1904 that the university welcomed its first batch of students and started awarding Master's degrees in 1953 followed by the first Doctoral degrees in 1968. It was in 1957 that the University was accorded full university status that made it the 4th public university in Michigan. A learner-centered research University, WMU is affiliated with the Space-grant colleges in the United States. Western Michigan University falls among the top 11% of the universities in the United States. It ranks #1201+ in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, #1211 in the US News and World Report Best Global Universities and is placed in the bracket #1001-1200 in QS World University Rankings in 2022.
Infrastructure, Campuses and Courses
The Western Michigan University campus is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and spans across an area of 1,250 acres. The University extends its presence across the State with 9 regional campus locations situated in Grand Rapids, Battle Creek and Metro Detroit. WMU campuses are renowned for their structural availability that consists of some of the finest conveniences in the Midwest. The university has two natural preserves that are accessible to students for educational and research purposes. Some of the most popular majors offered by Western Michigan University are Engineering, Visual and Performing Arts, Health Professions, Marketing and Management, and Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies. WMU caters to the academic demands of international students by offering about 250-degree programs across 8 Academic Colleges, which offer courses in Engineering and Applied Sciences, Education and Human Development, Arts and Sciences, Aviation, Fine Arts, Health and Human Services, Law, Medicine and the Haworth College of Business. The University also has a Graduate College, an Honors College and the Merze Tate College for Exploratory Pathway programs, academic advising and pre-collegiate essentials, that prepare students to onboard Undergraduate studies ready and well-prepared.
Accomplishments and Alumni
Western Michigan University is an eminent institution with a long list of accomplishments accorded to its name. A top 100 US University, it is also among the top 100 in the country for 7 Graduate programs. The College of Fine Arts at WMU is the only fully accredited Fine Arts College in Michigan and the University is one of the only two providers of Aerospace Engineering programs in the State. Further, the Carnegie Foundation classifies the University as "R2: Doctoral Universities - High Research Activity," that also makes WMU the only university in Michigan to hold that status. WMU has awarded over $25.8 million in research grants to its faculty and students, and has over 46 technologies for commercialization. Western Michigan University is a sustainable institution with LEED-certified buildings that was awarded a Silver rating by STARS in 2018 for its efforts to advance sustainability in higher education. Also, it is among the top 15 Most Affordable and Eco-Friendly Colleges in the US. WMU is a proud recipient of Excellence in Diversity by the Insight Into Diversity Magazine. The University has a strong alumni base that includes renowned names like, Singer Luther Vandross, Actor Bruce Campbell and the CEO of Stryker Corporation, Homer Stryker. WMU has more than 250,000 alumni globally. Of the total global alumni, 73% of alumni reside in the United States.
Student Diversity and Visiting Companies
Western Michigan University encourages cultural diversity by offering courses to students from across the globe. Students at WMU come from all across the globe. It was reported in 2019, that the total number of students at WMU was 21,470, who are popularly called "Broncos" on the campus. Of the overall student body, 7.6% were international students from different parts of the world. The university also ensures students get placed upon graduation and has a Placement Cell that actively serves this purpose. In fact, 9 out 10 graduates from Western Michigan University are reported to find a job of their preference, and in a field that they choose. Currently, the top recruiters at WMU are Google, Ford, Apple, Siemens and others.
