| University of Wisconsin–Whitewater | |
| Former Names: | Whitewater Normal School (1868–1927) Whitewater Teachers College (1927–1951) Wisconsin State College–Whitewater (1951–1964) Wisconsin State University–Whitewater (1964–1971) |
| Parent: | University of Wisconsin System |
| Chancellor: | Corey A. King |
| Provost: | John Chenoweth |
| Country: | United States |
| Coor: | 42.8383°N -88.7432°W |
| Undergrad: | 9,751[1] |
| Postgrad: | 1,695 |
| Campus: | Distant town[2] |
| Campus Size: | 400acres |
| Mascot: | Willie Warhawk |
| Colors: | Purple and white |
| Free Label: | Other campuses |
| Free: | Janesville |
| Free Label2: | Newspaper |
| Free2: | Royal Purple |
The University of Wisconsin–Whitewater (UW–Whitewater or UWW) is a public university in Whitewater, Wisconsin. It is part of the University of Wisconsin System. Student enrollment in the 2014–2015 academic year was more than 12,000. The university offers 47 undergraduate majors and 13 graduate programs.[3] Approximately 1,400 faculty and staff are employed by the university, and the student body consists of individuals from about 40 US states and 30 countries.[4]
On April 21, 1868, the school was named Whitewater Normal School and graduated its first class of teachers in June, 1870.
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 its name was changed to Whitewater Teachers College. With the addition of the liberal arts programs in 1951 it became Wisconsin State College–Whitewater, and was later designated a Wisconsin State University in 1964, the Wisconsin State University–Whitewater.
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 been called the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater since.[6]
The University of Wisconsin–Whitewater encompasses 400 acres in southeastern Wisconsin. The iconic landmark of the university's campus, Old Main, was destroyed by 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 called 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 bell was removed and installed in front of the Alumni Center. Now, an electronic carillon bell rings regularly throughout the day.[8]
The James R. Connor 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]
Whitewater Student Government (WSG) is the students' governing body.[12] The organization also provides services to students on campus.[13]
The University of Wisconsin–Whitewater has over 170 recognized student clubs and organizations.[3]
The Royal Purple is the university's independent student newspaper. It has been in publication since 1901.[14]
UWW-TV is the university's student-run television channel. It provides news, sports, educational and original programming produced entirely by University of Wisconsin–Whitewater students. UWW-TV is part of the campus cable line-up and is located on channel 100.1 in high definition.[15] It is also available around the city of Whitewater on Spectrum cable channel 989.
Jitters is a student-run coffee house located on the first floor of Wells East Residence Hall.[16]
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.[17]
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.[18]
There are several fraternities and sororities on and off campus.[19]
See main article: Wisconsin–Whitewater Warhawks.
UW–Whitewater is a member of NCAA Division III for athletics. It is a part 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 2013–14 academic year, the Warhawks won the men's football, basketball, and baseball championships. UW-Whitewater is the first school in NCAA history in any division to attain such a three-sport sweep in the same academic year.[20]
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. UW-Whitewater also has wheelchair basketball programs for men and women; both teams have won national championships.[21]
See main article: List of University of Wisconsin–Whitewater alumni.