| Central Washington University | |
|---|---|
| Motto | Docendo Discimus |
| Motto in English | By teaching we learn |
| Established | 1891 |
| Type | Public |
| Endowment | US$13,324,363[1] |
| President | Dr. James L. Gaudino |
| Provost | Dr. Marilyn Levine |
| Admin. staff | 1458 |
| Undergraduates | 10,400[2] |
| Postgraduates | 498 |
| Location | Ellensburg, Washington, United States of America |
| Campus | Rural College Town 380 acres (150 ha) |
| Former names | Washington State Normal School Central Washington College of Education Central Washington State College |
| Colors | Crimson & Black |
| Athletics | NCAA Division II |
| Sports | 13 Varsity Teams |
| Nickname | Wildcats |
| Mascot | Wellington P. Wildcat |
| Website | http://www.cwu.edu/ |
Central Washington University, often abbreviated CWU, is a public university in Ellensburg, Washington in the United States.This location was selected by the state legislature as a consolation prize after Ellensburg lost its bid to be state capital.[3] 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 (48 km) north of Yakima, Washington on Interstate 82, and 110 miles (180 km) east-southeast of Seattle, Washington on Interstate 90.
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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 1893, 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.[4]
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. James L. Gaudino is the current president, having replaced Dr. Jerilyn S. McIntyre on January 1, 2009 after a yearlong search for a new president.
On April 17, 1974 serial killer Ted Bundy abducted Susan Rancourt from the campus by asking her to help him load books into his Volkswagen Beetle. Two other students reported seeing him around campus in the days leading up to her disappearance.
In 2008, Wildcat softball players Mallory Holtman and Liz Wallace helped carry injured opponent Sara Tucholsky of Western Oregon University around the bases after she hit her first-ever career home run and injured herself running around the bases. CWU lost the game, ending the Wildcats' season. The story received national attention and the trio appeared on the Ellen DeGeneres Show, CBS, CNN, and ESPN. They also won an ESPY award for Best Moment in Sports in 2008, were featured in Sports Illustrated, and are part of a national billboard campaign promoting sportsmanship by the Foundation for A Better Life.
In 1978, CWU began its campus radio station KCWU (88.1 The Burg) that has since flourished into a state-of-the-art broadcast facility.
From 1980 to 2007 the university was home to Washoe, a chimpanzee who was among the first nonhumans to acquire a standarized human language.
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. Snoqualmie Hall has two computer labs for the students to use, as well as a variety of classrooms.
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.
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, Swimming (Spring) Baseball, Track & Field.
Women's: (Fall) Soccer, Cross Country, Volleyball (Winter) Basketball, Swimming (Spring) Softball, Track & Field.
Championships:1995 Football NAIA Div 2
The University used to have competitive swimming and wrestling teams. However, the university addressed their budget problems within the athletic department by eliminating these programs in 2004. This was done despite the fact that these programs were two of the least expensive sports in the department. The men's swim team has won four NAIA championships and the women's team won two NAIA championships. The wrestling team also won two NAIA championships of its own and produced 10 national champions as well as 26 All-Americans. Although each of these programs were still competitive forces, the school's athletic department opted to cut the program following the 2003-2004 seasons.
The wrestling team was cut with the University 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 NCAA Division II teams in the northwest. 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 CenturyLink Field before the even more traditional Cascade Cup game, although because of conference scheduling the two games were combined starting 2006. In 2008, The Great Northwest Athletic Conference reinstated football, and Central Washington along with Western Washington rejoined the conference, so the previous format of the Battle in Seattle being played at CenturyLink Field and the Cascade Cup was contested in Ellensburg. In 2009, Western Washington University disbanded its football team. In 2009, Central Washington University posted a perfect 11-0 record, the only Division II team to post a clean slate in 2009.
Central also offers a variety of club sports, of which, the men's rugby team has had the most success. The University established a men's rugby in 1972. As a club sport, the rugby team has been able to play against bigger university, such as, the University of Washington, Washington State University, University of Oregon, and Oregon State University. Rugby at Central has surprisingly been quite successful against these and other much larger schools, and has gained the University national recognition due to its high level of success in the national playoffs. Several of their most impressive accomplishments include making the Sweet 16 in 1998 and 2001. In 2001, Central defeated North Carolina 52-17 in their Sweet 16 match, and eventually lost to Penn State 14-12 in the Elite 8 (Penn State went on to play in the championship match). In 2007, the men's rugby team was ranked as high as 10th in the nation.
The following are some notable former Wildcats:
On April 26, 2006, the school opened a brand new, 228,000 sq ft (21,200 m2)., $58 million Student Union and Recreation Center.
The Student Union and Recreation Center is home to a full-sized rock wall, fully equipped gymnasium, and an outdoor recreation office; which rents everything from rafts, to snowshoes and ice axes.
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