University of Wisconsin–Whitewater

University of Wisconsin–Whitewater
Name	University of Wisconsin–Whitewater
Established	1868
Type	Public university
Endowment	$40.1 million (2021)
Chancellor	Corey A. King
Students	11,463 (Fall 2023)
City	Whitewater, Wisconsin
Country	United States
Campus	Suburban, 400 acres
Colors	Purple and white
Nickname	Warhawks
Affiliations	University of Wisconsin System, NCAA Division III
Website	uww.edu

University of Wisconsin–Whitewater is a public university located in Whitewater, Wisconsin and a member of the University of Wisconsin System. Founded in 1868, it has grown from a normal school into a comprehensive university offering a wide array of undergraduate and graduate programs. The institution is particularly recognized for its strong programs in business, education, and the arts, as well as its dominant NCAA Division III athletic programs. Its campus serves over 11,000 students in a suburban setting.

History

The institution was founded in 1868 as Whitewater Normal School, dedicated to training teachers for the public schools of Wisconsin. In 1927, it was renamed Whitewater State Teachers College as it expanded its curriculum beyond teacher preparation. Following broader changes in the state's higher education system, it became part of the Wisconsin State Universities system in 1951 and was known as Wisconsin State College–Whitewater. With the merger creating the University of Wisconsin System in 1971, it adopted its current name. Key figures in its development include early principals like Albert Salisbury and chancellors such as James R. Connor.

Academics

The university is organized into four colleges: the College of Business and Economics, the College of Education and Professional Studies, the College of Letters and Sciences, and the College of Integrated Studies. It offers more than 50 undergraduate majors and over 20 graduate programs, including specialist and doctoral degrees. The College of Business and Economics is accredited by the AACSB, a distinction held by fewer than 5% of business schools worldwide. Other notable programs include its degrees in special education, music, and cybersecurity. The university also maintains a significant commitment to online education and international study through partnerships with institutions like the University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt.

Campus

The main campus spans over 400 acres in Whitewater, Wisconsin, featuring a mix of historic and modern architecture. Notable facilities include the University Center, the Young Auditorium, a performing arts venue hosting national acts, and the Andersen Library. The College of Business and Economics is housed in the state-of-the-art Timothy J. Hyland Hall. The campus also includes the Nature Preserve, a 75-acre area for ecological study and recreation. A branch campus, University of Wisconsin–Whitewater at Rock County, is located in Janesville, Wisconsin.

Athletics

The university's athletic teams, known as the Warhawks, compete in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) of NCAA Division III. The Warhawks football program, under coaches like Forrest Perkins and Lance Leipold, has won multiple national championships, including six Division III titles between 2007 and 2014. Other successful programs include Warhawks wheelchair basketball, which has won numerous national titles, and women's gymnastics. The teams play in facilities like Perkins Stadium and the Williams Center.

Student life

Student life is supported by over 200 student organizations, including fraternities and sororities governed by councils like the Interfraternity Council and the College Panhellenic Council. The university hosts major annual events such as Homecoming and Springfest. Media outlets include the student newspaper, the Royal Purple, and the radio station, WSUW. Leadership opportunities are provided through the Warhawk Student Government and the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater Army ROTC program.

Notable alumni

Notable alumni include businessman and philanthropist John J. Frautschi, former U.S. Representative Peter W. Barca, and National Football League players like Lance Leipold (now head coach at the University of Kansas) and Matt Behrendt. Other distinguished graduates are Wisconsin State Senate member Janis Ringhand, musician Ben Sidran, and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Meg Kissinger.

Category:Universities and colleges in Wisconsin Category:University of Wisconsin System Category:Educational institutions established in 1868