University of Wisconsin–Whitewater

University of Wisconsin–Whitewater

Type	State university
Established	1868
Chancellor	Beverly A. Kopper
Undergraduates	11,142 (2015-2016)[1]
Postgraduates	1,204 (2015-2016)[1]
Location	Whitewater, Wisconsin, U.S.
Campus	Rural
Colors	Purple and White
Nickname	Warhawks
Mascot	Willie Warhawk
Website	www.uww.edu

The University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, also known as UW–Whitewater, is part of the University of Wisconsin System and is located in Whitewater, Wisconsin. It is a four-year, co-educational, residential college accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.^[2] Student enrollment in the 2014-2015 academic year was more than 12,000. The university offers 47 undergraduate majors and 13 graduate programs, with well over 1,000 courses available to students.^[3] Approximately 1,400 faculty and staff are employed by the university, and the student body consists of individuals from about 40 states and 30 countries.^[4]

History

The school was dedicated on April 21, 1868, as Whitewater Normal School and graduated its first class of teachers in June, 1870. Albert Salisbury, writing in 1893, remarked: "The young men and women who gathered into this school in those early years found here a new and stimulating atmosphere. The spirit of earnestness–almost a severe earnestness,–pervaded the place; and the high ideals of its administration were contagious in a remarkable degree." Salisbury wrote of a unique tradition of the school known as "Students' Day." One day during the term faculty would, unannounced, be entirely absent from the school. Once students recognized that the day must be "Students' Day," they would elect a President and Faculty from amongst themselves who would take up the regular duties of the day. The annual catalogue stated the purpose of "Students' Day" as the following: "The object of thus putting the institution under the care of the students is to test their moral culture, their executive ability, and their devotion to their work."^[5]

In 1927, the school received authority to grant baccalaureate degrees in education and the name was changed to Whitewater Teachers College. With the addition of liberal arts programs in 1951 it became Wisconsin State College–Whitewater, and was later designated a Wisconsin State University in 1964. In 1971, after the merger of the former University of Wisconsin and the former Wisconsin State Universities, the school became part of the University of Wisconsin System and has had the name of University of Wisconsin–Whitewater since then.^[6]

Campus

Historic schoolhouse on UWW campus

The University of Wisconsin–Whitewater consists of 400 acres located in southeastern Wisconsin. The iconic landmark of the university's campus, Old Main, burned down in a fire on February 7, 1970. The school's oldest building, it was the only one that had been part of the original campus. The east wing of Old Main, now Hyer Hall, is all that remains of the building. It houses many of the university's administrative offices, in addition to classrooms and lecture halls.^[7] After the fire that destroyed Old Main the building's carillon bells were moved to the Alumni Foundation Office. In remembrance of the historic structure an electronic broadcast of the bells plays daily at 12 pm and 6 pm.^[8]

The James R. Conner University Center occupies the heart of campus. The "UC" contains a bowling alley, an art gallery, a stage for live music, a coffee shop, and several dining options.^[9] Young Auditorium, the largest performing arts venue on campus, hosts dance, music, theatre, comedy, and other university events.^[10] The UW-Whitewater Nature Preserve is located in the northeast corner of campus and consists of 110 acres of various ecosystems such as woodlands, wetlands, and prairie. In addition to serving as an outdoor classroom and laboratory the preserve includes recreational trails for running, hiking, cross-country skiing, or biking.^[11]

Student government

Whitewater Student Government (WSG) is the students' governing body. It consists of a senate, a president, a vice president and an executive board. WSG has the primary responsibility for the formulation and review of policies concerning student life, services, and interests according to Wisconsin State Statute 36.09(5).^[12]

The organization also provides services to students on campus.^[13] It hosts an adopt-a-lot service, where students and organizations can adopt a campus parking lot to clean; provides legal advice through an attorney; offers free income tax assistance to students and community members as part of a joint effort between Student Government, Beta Alpha Psi, the Accounting Department, and the IRS; and maintains updated listings on the WSG website for community housing.^[14]

Extracurricular activities

The University of Wisconsin–Whitewater has over 170 recognized student clubs and organizations.^[15]

The Royal Purple

The Royal Purple is the university's independent student newspaper that provides students, faculty, and staff with a forum for news, entertainment, and sporting events. In addition, the Royal Purple provides the university with an open forum for opinions and commentary on events and issues that affect UW-Whitewater students. It has been in publication since 1901.^[16]

Jitters Coffee Lounge

Jitters is a student-run coffee house located on the first floor of Wells East Residence Hall. It was opened with the intention of creating a lasting, strong, and vital sense of community. It has grown from just an idea by a few creative people in 1997 to now being a place where campus artists, poets, authors, musicians, actors, comedians, dancers and other assorted folks can meet for coffee.^[17]

Ceramics Guild

The Ceramics Guild hosts an annual December/fall semester ceramics sale, often in collaboration with the alloy metalsmithing group. A tradition established in 1977, the sale contributes financially to the UW-Whitewater ceramics program, allowing visiting artists to lecture. To date, over 60 visiting artists have conducted workshops in studio ceramics.^[18]

91.7 The Edge

The Edge is the campus's student-run radio station broadcasting out of Andersen Library, where they have been broadcasting since 1966. The station broadcasts local news and sports and plays music ranging from jazz and hip-hop to alternative and metal.^[19]

Greek System

Fraternities and sororities have long been a part of UW-Whitewater's campus life. These organizations are involved with annual philanthropy and community service projects, homecoming week activities, socials (also known as exchanges) between other Greek organizations or general student organizations, scholarship opportunities for members, and professional networking skills and opportunities.^[20]

The UWW mascot

Athletics

UW–Whitewater is a member of NCAA Division III for athletics. It is a member of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC). The university's athletics teams are nicknamed the Warhawks and are represented by the colors purple and white.

In the 2013-2014 academic year the Warhawks made collegiate sport history by winning the men's football, basketball, and baseball championships. UW-Whitewater is the first school in NCAA history in any division to experience such a three-sport sweep in the same academic year.^[21]

Whitewater's record-setting 2013-2014 championship wins consisted of the following:

• On December 20, 2013 UW-Whitewater won the NCAA Division III Football Championship against Mount Union. This was the football team's eighth Division III championship appearance in nine years.
• On March 22, 2014 UW-Whitewater won the NCAA Men's Division III Basketball Championship, defeating Williams College. This was the basketball team's fourth Division III championship title.
• On May 27, 2014 UW-Whitewater won the NCAA Division III Baseball Championship in a victory over the Emory University Eagles. This was the baseball team's second national championship in program history.

One of UW-Whitewater's programs for students with disabilities, Cornerstones for Success, provides athletes with disabilities the opportunity to share their experiences in sports and everyday life with students from across the Midwest. UW-Whitewater also has wheelchair basketball programs for men and women; both teams have won national championships.^[22]

Notable people

Alumni

Faculty

• Thomas Chrowder Chamberlin, founder of the Journal of Geology^[65]
• Brian Coppola, noted chemist^[66]
• Andrea Nye, Professor Emerita of the Philosophy and Religious Studies Department.^[67]
• Alison Townsend, poet^[68]
• Warren S. Johnson, professor of natural science; Johnson invented the first automatic multi-zone temperature control system and went on to establish Johnson Electric Service Company (now known as Johnson Controls).^[69]

References

Further reading

• Bohi, M. Janette. A History of Wisconsin State University, Whitewater, 1868-1968. Whitewater, Wis.: Whitewater State University Foundation, 1967.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to University of Wisconsin–Whitewater.

• Official website