The Early Years of Western Michigan University

A Multimedia Presentation by Angela L. Strzyzykowski

Click the door to read

about WMU history

It Started With a Vision

• In 1903, the state of Michigan pushed to start its fourth “normal school”.

• This school would be purposed to produce teachers for the many rural schools that were in need of faculty at that time. (Next)

Expansion of the Century• In 1904, 117 students

began their education as the first class of Western Michigan Normal School.

• The Administration Building (currently: East Hall), built in 1905, was the first of many building projects initiated by Dwight B. Waldo, the school’s first president.

• The campus was not the only thing that expanded over the years. More and more non-teaching fields were integrated. This was one more step on the road to becoming the internationally recognized university that Western Michigan University is today, a century later.

71 students

171 students

117 students

17 students

Question of the Day:

• How many students began their education at Western Michigan Normal School in 1904?

(Click an answer)

117 Students is Correct!

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Sorry, Wrong Answer.

Bibliography

Author Unknown. (2003). WMU’s First 100 Years: Normal

School to National University. Retrieved January 21,

2004 from Western Michigan University, Centennial

Celebration Web site:

http://www.ur.wmich.edu/centennial/history_first-full.html

Back to Autobiography

Autobiography

• I am Angela Lynn Strzyzykowski.

• I am a Western Michigan University student, studying elementary education.

• I like long walks, climbing trees, and getting to know people.

Click to view bibliography Click to go back to the beginning

That’s me, with two of my favorite guys in the world; my dad and Jonathan Rasbach. We’re playing a fun game of Rook on New Year’s Eve.