Editing Western Michigan University (section)

==History==
[[File:EastCampus1915.jpg|thumb|left|Western State Normal School, 1915]]
On May 27, 1903, Michigan Governor [[Aaron T. Bliss]] signed a bill authorizing the creation of a teacher-training facility.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cf.wmich.edu/planning/WebSites/1903/1903CampusDesign.htm |title=Original 1903 Campus Plan for Western State Normal School |access-date=December 13, 2014 }}</ref> Kalamazoo was chosen as the new school's location on August 28, 1903. Other locations considered included [[Allegan, Michigan|Allegan]], [[Muskegon, Michigan|Muskegon]], [[Grand Rapids, Michigan|Grand Rapids]], [[Decatur, Michigan|Decatur]], [[Three Oaks, Michigan|Three Oaks]], and [[Hastings, Michigan|Hastings]]. The first building, then known as the Administration Building, and now known as Heritage Hall, was constructed in 1904.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cf.wmich.edu/planning/WebSites/1903/1903CampusDesign.htm |title=1903 Campus Plan &#124; Campus Planning &#124; Western Michigan University |publisher=Cf.wmich.edu |access-date=November 25, 2011}}</ref>

The university was first officially known as '''Western State Normal School''' and offered a two-year training program. The first principal was [[Dwight B. Waldo]], who served from 1904 until 1936. The school was renamed several times throughout its early history, beginning with '''Western State Teachers College''' in 1927, '''Western Michigan College of Education''' in 1941, and '''Western Michigan College''' in 1955. It was renamed '''Western Michigan University''' in 1957.

Most of the oldest and original WMU buildings are collectively known as [[East Campus (Western Michigan University)|East Campus]]. Because of the steep grade elevating the campus above the city, the [[Western State Normal Railroad]] was established in 1907 to carry students and staff up and down the hill with a [[funicular]]. It operated until 1949.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cf.wmich.edu/planning/WebSites/Specialties/TrolleyCommemoration.htm |title=Western Trolley Commemoration &#124; Photos Images Trivia &#124; Western Michigan University |publisher=Cf.wmich.edu |access-date=November 25, 2011}}</ref>

Western Michigan University had a partnership with [[Cooley Law School]] for over a decade, that on August 13, 2014, culminated in the adoption of a new name and partnership, the Western Michigan University Cooley Law School.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wmich.edu/news/2014/08/18003|title=Cooley Law is now Western Michigan University Cooley Law School|work=wmich.edu}}</ref> In 2020, the university's Board of Trustees voted to end its affiliation with the Cooley Law School.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Western Michigan University will end affiliation with Thomas M. Cooley Law School|url=https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2020/11/06/western-michigan-university-will-end-affiliation-thomas-m-cooley-law-school|access-date=October 11, 2021|website=www.insidehighered.com|language=en}}</ref>

Western Michigan University was negatively impacted by the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. President [[Edward B. Montgomery]] stated "the crisis has already cost WMU well over $45 million, and we expect the tally to rise through the remainder of this fiscal year." To soften the economic toll of the pandemic, WMU instituted a number of cost-cutting measures.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://wmich.edu/president/budget-realities-next-steps |title=WMU's budget realities and next steps |access-date=May 3, 2020 }}</ref>

===Presidents===
* [[Dwight B. Waldo]] (1904–1936)
* Paul V. Sangren (1936–1960)
* James W. Miller (1961–1974)
* John T. Bernhard (1974–1985)
* [[Diether Haenicke|Diether H. Haenicke]] (1985–1998)
* [[Elson Floyd|Elson S. Floyd]] (1998–2003)
* [[Judith Bailey (academic)|Judith I. Bailey]] (2003–2006)
* [[John Dunn (university president)|John M. Dunn]] (2007–2017)
* [[Edward B. Montgomery]] (2017–)