Western Michigan University

Western Michigan University

Type	Public
Established	May 27, 1903 (1903-05-27)
Academic affiliations	APLU AASCU
Endowment	$330 million (2015)
President	John Dunn
Academic staff	925
Students	23,914
Undergraduates	18,889
Postgraduates	5,025
Location	Kalamazoo, Michigan, U.S. 42°17′00″N 85°36′50″W / 42.28333°N 85.61389°W / 42.28333; -85.61389Coordinates: 42°17′00″N 85°36′50″W / 42.28333°N 85.61389°W / 42.28333; -85.61389
Campus	Urban
Colors	Brown and Gold
Nickname	Broncos
Mascot	Buster Bronco
Sporting affiliations	NCAA Division I – MAC, NCHC
Website	www.wmich.edu

Western Michigan University (WMU) is a public research university in Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States. The university was established in 1903 by Dwight B. Waldo, and as of the Fall 2014 semester, its enrollment was 23,914.

WMU has one of the largest aviation programs in the United States, and it is the site of the annual International Congress on Medieval Studies. 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.

On May 27, 1903, Michigan Governor Aaron T. Bliss signed a bill authorizing the creation of the State's fourth teacher-training facility. The three other normal schools were in Ypsilanti (Eastern), Mount Pleasant (Central), and Marquette (Northern). Kalamazoo was chosen as the new school's location on August 28, 1903. Other locations considered included Allegan, Muskegon, Grand Rapids, Decatur, Three Oaks, and Hastings. The first building, then known as the Administration Building, and now known as East Hall, was constructed in 1904.