Central Washington University

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Central Washington University
Motto Docendo Discimus
(By teaching we learn)
Established 1891
Type Public
President Jerilyn S. McIntyre
Undergraduates 9296
Postgraduates 607
Location Ellensburg, Washington, United States
Campus 350 acres (1.4 km²)
Colors Crimson and Black
Mascot Wildcats
Website http://www.cwu.edu

Central Washington University, or CWU, is an accredited four-year educational institution located in Ellensburg, Washington in the United States. The university originally opened in the late 19th century as a teacher's college, which is still one of the primary majors taken there. Central Washington University is located about 30 miles (50 km) north of Yakima, Washington on Interstate 82, and 110 miles (180 km) east-southeast of Seattle, Washington on Interstate 90.

Contents

[edit] History

Central Washington University originally opened up as Washington State Normal School in 1891. The school was founded to educate future elementary and junior high teachers. In 1894, the Washington State Normal School's first building was constructed and given the name Barge Hall. Before 1894, classes were held at the Washington Public School in Ellensburg.[1]

The school's name changed to Central Washington College of Education in 1937, Central Washington State College in 1961, and finally to Central Washington University in 1977. It continues to be one of the fastest growing universities in the state of Washington. Dr. Jerilyn S. McIntyre is the current president.

In 1958, CWU began its campus radio station KCWU (88.1 The Burg), which has since flourished into a state-of-the-art broadcast facility.

[edit] University Centers

CWU has centers in Des Moines, Lynnwood, Moses Lake, Pierce County, Wenatchee and Yakima, Washington.

Edmonds Community College and Central Washington University-Lynnwood have worked together since 1975 to meet the higher education needs of Snohomish County. After earning a transfer degree online or on campus from Edmonds Community College, students can continue their studies for a bachelor's degree from CWU-Lynnwood in Snoqualmie Hall, a shared facility on the Edmonds CC campus.

In Des Moines, Wa, students can attend Highline Community College, and then continue their education from CWU through the newly-built Higher Education Center. This facility replaces the site in Sea-Tac.

In Yakima, CWU Shares a facility with Yakima Valley Community College and Washington State University. The Wenatchee and Moses Lake branches also share facilities with Wenatchee Valley College and Big Bend Community College, respectively.

[edit] Research

  • The Summer Institute for Theatre Arts (http://www.cwu.edu/~theatre/program/graduate/), formerly the Drama Teacher's Summer Institute, was established in 1996. More than 500 teachers, representing 28 states and six nations, have attended the Institute for over ten years.

[edit] Athletics

CWU students, alumni, and Varsity athletes are known as the "Wildcats" and their colors are Crimson and Black. CWU is part of NCAA Division II and is part of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. The Wildcats Sports are as follows in seasonal order.

Men's: (Fall) Football, Cross Country, (Winter) Basketball, (Spring) Baseball, Track & Field.

Women's: (Fall) Soccer, Cross Country, Volleyball (Winter) Basketball, (Spring) Softball, Track & Field.

The University used to have a competitive wrestling team that won two NAIA championships, produced 10 national champions as well as 26 All-Americans. However, since its move to Division II, it endured hardship. Although still a competitive force in the west, the school's athletic department opted to cut the program following the 2003-2004 season citing a lack of regional competition and a lack of conference affiliation. Despite an outcry by students, alumni and fans, the university stuck with its decision despite being offered a wrestling only membership by the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (which is the only Division II conference sponsoring wrestling), and the student body agreeing to increase the schools activity fees to help sponsor the sport, and an abundance of Regional competition at the Division I and NAIA level. Those that still compete on the wrestling team have to try out at the club level which competes in the less prestigious National College Wrestling Association in its three team Northwest Conference.

Football garnered much attention as being one of the most successful teams in Washington. In 2006, they moved to the North Central Conference, because the Great Northwest Athletic Conference announced it would discontinue its participation in football following the 2005 season. The football team shares an intense rivalry with Western Washington University (who will also be joining the NCC in 2006). Recently they've been competing in a game called the Battle in Seattle taking place at Seattle's Qwest Field before the even more traditional Cascade Cup game, although because of conference scheduling the two games were combined starting 2006.

The Women's Volleyball team has also had incredible success lately. The past two years the team has compiled a 50-6 record, with back to back berths to the NCAA Regional Tournament. In 2005 the Wildcats took down Cal Poly Pomona for the GNAC's first regional win. The team will again be a regional competitor in 2006.

[edit] Former CWU Wildcats

The following are some notable former Wildcats:

[edit] External links


Great Northwest Athletic Conference
Alaska-Anchorage • Alaska • Central Washington • Montana State-Billings (fall 2007) • Northwest Nazarene • Saint Martin's • Seattle • Seattle Pacific • Western Oregon • Western Washington
North Central Conference
Augustana • Central Washington† • Minnesota Duluth • Minnesota State Mankato • Nebraska-Omaha • North Dakota • Saint Cloud State • South Dakota • Western Washington†
† Football-only member
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