View source for Western Oregon University

{{Short description|Public university in Monmouth, Oregon, US}}
{{Redirect|WOU}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2013}}
{{Infobox university
 | name                   = Western Oregon University
 | former_names           = Monmouth University (1856–1865)<br />Christian College (1865–1882)<br />Oregon State Normal School (1882–1910)<br />Oregon Normal School (1910–1939)<br />Oregon College of Education (1939–1981)<br />Western Oregon State College (1981–1997)
 | image_name             = Seal of Western Oregon University.png
 | image_size             = 170px
 | established            = {{start date and age|January 18, 1856}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://library.wou.edu/archives/history/#:~:text=Founders%20of%20WOU,founders%20of%20Western%20Oregon%20University.|title=History of WOU}}</ref>
 | endowment              = $16 million (2021)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wou.edu/foundation/#:~:text=About%20the%20WOU%20Foundation&text=As%20of%202021%2C%20the%20WOU,permanent%20endowment%20of%20%2416%20million.|title=WOU Foundation}}</ref>
 | type                   = [[Public university]]
 | accreditation          = [[Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities|NWCCU]]
 | academic_affiliations  = {{hlist|[[Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission|HECC]]|[[National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program|Space-grant]]}}
 | parent                 = 
 | president              = Jesse Peters
 | provost                = Jose E. Coll
 | faculty                = 452
 | administrative_staff   = 427
 | students               = 3,857 (fall 2023)<ref>{{cite web |title=College Navigator - Western Oregon University |url=https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=western+oregon&s=all&id=210429 |website=National Center for Education Statistics}}</ref>
 | undergrad              = 3,249 (fall 2023)
 | postgrad               = 608 (fall 2023)
 | city                   = [[Monmouth, Oregon|Monmouth]]
 | state                  = Oregon
 | country                = United States
 | coor                   = {{Coord|44|51|10|N|123|14|22|W|display=inline,title|type:edu}}
 | campus                 = Fringe town<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=Oregon&s=all&id=210429|title=IPEDS-Western Oregon University}}</ref>
 | campus_size            = {{convert|157|acre|km2}}
 | colors                 = Red<br>{{color box|#E31837}}
 | nickname               = [[Western Oregon Wolves|Wolves]]
 | mascot                 = Wolfie
 | sporting_affiliations  = {{hlist|[[NCAA Division II]] – [[Great Northwest Athletic Conference|GNAC]]|[[Lone Star Conference|LSC]]}}
 | website                = {{URL|https://wou.edu}}
 | logo                   = WesternOregonSignature.png
 | logo_size              = 250px
 | free_label             = 
 | free                   = 
 | free_label2            = Newspaper
 | free2                  = ''The Western Howl''
}}

'''Western Oregon University''' ('''WOU''') is a [[public university]] in [[Monmouth, Oregon]], United States. It was originally established in 1856 by [[Disciples of Christ]]<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WZspAQAAMAAJ&dq=%22monmouth+university%22+%22disciples+of+christ%22&pg=RA8-PA88 | title=Study | year=1920 | publisher=University of California Press }}</ref><ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vBgIEAAAQBAJ&dq=%22monmouth+university%22+%22disciples+of+christ%22&pg=PT151 | isbn=9780803278356 | title=Covered Wagon Women, Volume 4: Diaries and Letters from the Western Trails, 1852: The California Trail | date=November 10, 2020 | publisher=U of Nebraska Press }}</ref><ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1-UW6M_gw48C&dq=%22monmouth+university%22+%22disciples+of+christ%22&pg=PA200 | isbn=9780881928730 | title=Oregon 1859: A Snapshot in Time | date=July 15, 2008 | publisher=Timber Press }}</ref> pioneers as '''Monmouth University'''. Subsequent names included '''Oregon State Normal School''', '''Oregon College of Education''', and '''Western Oregon State College'''. Western Oregon University incorporates both the College of Education and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Enrollment is approximately 3,850 students.

== History ==

===Establishment===

Western Oregon University was founded in 1856 as '''Monmouth University'''.<ref name="Since 1856">Ellis A. Stebbins and Gary Huxford, ''Since 1856...Historical Views of the College at Monmouth'' Western Oregon State College, Monmouth, Ore., 1995. {{ISBN|0-9650625-0-3}}</ref> In 1865, it merged with another private institution, [[Bethel College (Oregon)|Bethel College]], in [[Bethel, Polk County, Oregon|Bethel]] and became '''Christian College'''. In 1882, the [[Oregon Legislative Assembly|Oregon State Legislature]] approved the college's bid to become a state-supported teacher training (or "[[normal school|normal]]") school, '''Oregon State Normal School'''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/western_oregon_university/|title=Western Oregon University|website=oregonencyclopedia.org|language=en|access-date=2017-12-11}}</ref>

In November 1910, an initiative petition ([[Oregon Ballot Measure 10 (1910)|Measure 10]]) to establish a normal school at Monmouth, passed by 55.6%. The name was changed, for the fourth time, to '''Oregon Normal School'''. On the same ballot were two other measures to additionally establish normal schools in [[Ashland, Oregon|Ashland]] and [[Weston, Oregon|Weston]]:  both failed.<ref>{{cite web
 | url = https://sos.oregon.gov/blue-book/Pages/state/elections/history-introduction.aspx
 | title = Oregon Blue Book: Initiative, Referendum and Recall: 1908-1910
 | publisher = State of Oregon
 | date = 2017-01-03
 | access-date = 2017-03-27
}}</ref>

===Growth===

A period of growth was experienced in the 1920s during which the school's enrollment more than tripled from 316 in 1920 to peak at the 990 mark in 1927.<ref>Sam A. Kozer (ed.), "Oregon Educational Institutions," in ''The Oregon Blue Book, 1927-1928.'' Salem: State Printing Department, 1927; pg. 62.</ref> With the coming of the [[Great Depression]] attendance tailed off slightly, with an average attendance in 1930 of 705 students,<ref>Hal E. Hoss (ed.), "State Institutions of Higher Learning," in ''The Oregon Blue Book, 1931-1932.'' Salem: State Printing Departement, 1931; pg. 33.</ref> hitting a nadir in the 1933–34 academic year.<ref name=Hunter>Frederick M. Hunter, "Oregon State System of Higher Education," in Earl Snell (ed.), ''The Oregon Blue Book, 1939-1940.'' Salem: State Printing Department, 1939; pp. 48-49.</ref> Attendance rebounded later in the decade, topping the 1,000 mark for the first time during the 1938–39 academic year, with a total enrollment including summer session of 1,017.<ref name=Hunter />

In 1939, the Oregon Legislature changed the name for the fifth time, to '''Oregon College of Education'''. The school entered an extended period of growth, except for a period during [[World War II]] when college enrollments dropped nationwide. New programs were added in the areas of liberal arts and sciences.<ref name="Since 1856" />

===Name changes===

In 1981, the institution was renamed '''Western Oregon State College'''<ref name="Since 1856" /> to reflect the school's growing academic programs in the liberal arts fields. In 1997 the name was updated to Western Oregon University, reflecting the university's broader academic mission and profile.

== Academics ==
{| class="wikitable floatright sortable collapsible"; text-align:right; font-size:80%;"
|+ style="font-size:90%" |Undergraduate demographics as of Fall 2023<ref>{{cite web |title= Western Oregon University|url=https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?210429-Western-Oregon-University|website=College Scorecard |publisher=[[United States Department of Education]] |access-date=June 16, 2025 }}</ref>
|-
! Race and ethnicity
! colspan="2" data-sort-type=number |Total
|-
| [[Non-Hispanic whites|White]]
|align=right| {{bartable|57|%|2||background:cyan}}
|-
| [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic]]
|align=right| {{bartable|25|%|2||background:green}}
|-
| [[Multiracial Americans|Two or more races]]
|align=right| {{bartable|7|%|2||background:violet}}
|-
| [[Asian Americans|Asian]]
|align=right| {{bartable|3|%|2||background:orange}}
|-
| [[African Americans|Black]]
|align=right| {{bartable|3|%|2||background:purple}}
|-
| Unknown
|align=right| {{bartable|2|%|2||background:grey}} 
|-
| [[Native Americans in the United States|American Indian]]/[[Alaska Native]]
|align=right| {{bartable|1|%|2||background:yellow}}
|-
| [[International student]]
|align=right| {{bartable|1|%|2||background:#008080}}
|-
| [[Native Hawaiian]]/[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]]
|align=right| {{bartable|1|%|2||background:brown}}
|-
! colspan="4" data-sort-type=number |[[Economic diversity]]
|-
| [[American lower class|Low-income]]{{efn|The percentage of students who received an income-based federal [[Pell grant]] intended for low-income students.}}
|align=right| {{bartable|40|%|2||background:red}}
|-
| [[Affluence in the United States|Affluent]]{{efn|The percentage of students who are a part of the [[American middle class]] at the bare minimum.}}
|align=right| {{bartable|60|%|2||background:black}}
|}

Western Oregon University offers [[bachelor's degree]]s ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]], [[Bachelor of Science|BS]], [[Bachelor of Music|BM]], [[Bachelor of Fine Arts|BFA]]), and [[Applied Baccalaureatte|AB]]  through its two colleges: the College of Education and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. [[Master's degree]]s are available in Education (MAT and MSEd), [[Rehabilitation counseling|Rehabilitation Counseling]] (MS), Criminal Justice (MA), Music (MM), and Management and Information Systems (MS).<ref>[http://www.wou.edu/user_groups/academics.php WOU: academic programs]. Wou.edu. Retrieved on February 13, 2011.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wou.edu/provost/graduate/ |title=WOU: Graduate Programs-western Oregon university- online masters |publisher=Wou.edu |access-date=September 28, 2011}}</ref> In 2015, ''U.S. News & World Report'' ranked Western as the 77th best amongst the regional universities in the west.<ref>{{cite news|last=Siemers|first=Erik|title=UofO 101st, OSU 138th in U.S. News rankings|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/morning_call/2011/09/uofo-101st-osu-138th-in-us-news.html|access-date=February 4, 2012|newspaper=Portland Business Journal|date=September 14, 2011}}</ref>

In January 2024, the university announced it would eliminate its D− and F grades and instead replace these with a grade of "no credit". This was done in attempt to improve retention and graduation rates and focus on student learning outcomes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kima |first=Brittany |date=2024-01-05 |title=Western Oregon University implements a strength-based grading approach to enhance student success |url=https://wou.edu/2024/01/05/western-oregon-university-implements-a-strength-based-grading-approach-to-enhance-student-success/ |access-date=2024-02-01 |website=Western Oregon University |language=en-US}}</ref>

[[File:Wou monmouth sign.jpg|thumb|Entrance sign]]
[[File:Campbell Hall (Polk County, Oregon scenic images) (polDB4701).jpg|thumb|Campbell Hall]]
=== College of Education ===
WOU's College of Education<ref name="autogenerated1">[http://www.wou.edu/education/teacher_ed/index.php WOU: Teacher Education]. Wou.edu. Retrieved on February 13, 2011.</ref> is divided into: Division of Education and Leadership, Division of Deaf Studies and Professional Studies, and Division of Health and Exercise Science.

===College of Liberal Arts and Sciences===
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences offers 30 bachelor's degrees in seven academic divisions: Behavioral Science, Business and Economics, Computer Science, Creative Arts, Humanities, Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and Social Science.

==Athletics==
{{Main|Western Oregon Wolves}}

The Western Oregon athletic teams are called the Wolves. The university is a member of the [[NCAA Division II|Division II]] level of the [[National Collegiate Athletic Association]] (NCAA), primarily competing in the [[Great Northwest Athletic Conference]] (GNAC) since the 2001–02 academic year. Western Oregon has competed in the [[Lone Star Conference]] (LSC) for football as an affiliate member since the 2022 season.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://lonestarconference.org/news/2021/11/17/three-football-teams-to-join-lsc-as-affiliate-members.aspx | title=Three football teams to join LSC as affiliate members | date=November 18, 2021 }}</ref> The Wolves previously competed in the D-II [[Pacific West Conference]] (PacWest) from 1998–99 to 2000–01; and in the [[Cascade Collegiate Conference]] (CCC) of the [[National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics]] (NAIA) from 1993–94 to 1997–98 (although they remained in the CCC as an affiliate member for some sports from 1998–99 to 1999–2000).

Western Oregon competes in 12 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, soccer and track & field, while women's sports include basketball, cross country, soccer, softball, track & field and volleyball.

==Notable alumni==
* [[Kevin Boss]] – American football player for the [[New York Giants]], [[Oakland Raiders]], and [[Kansas City Chiefs]]<ref name="Fentress">Aaron Fentress, [http://blog.oregonlive.com/nfl/2009/12/new_orleans_saints_defensive_e.html "New Orleans Saints defensive end Jeff Charleston enjoying undefeated season after long trek to the NFL"], ''[[The Oregonian]]'', December 10, 2009.</ref>
* [[Tony Burris (American football)|Tony Burris]] – American football player, [[Arena Football League]]'s [[Detroit Drive]] and [[Washington Commandos]]
* [[Jeff Charleston]] – American football player, [[New Orleans Saints]]<ref name="Fentress" />
* [[Brian Greene (American football)|Brian Greene]] – American football player
* [[Marco A. Hernandez|Marco Hernandez]] – First Latino to serve as U.S. district court judge in Oregon.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/02/senate_unanimously_approves_ma.html|author=Pope, Charles|date=February 7, 2011|title=Senate Unanimously approves Marco Hernandez to be federal judge|newspaper=The Oregonian|access-date=November 23, 2013}}</ref>
* [[Robert Oberst]] – Professional strongman who competes yearly in The World's Strongest Man competition
* [[Bryce Peila]] – American football player, [[Arena Football League]]'s [[Portland Thunder]]/[[Portland Steel|Steel]]
* [[Jason Slowey]] – American football player for the [[Oakland Raiders]]
* [[Lane Shetterly]] - Oregon state legislator
* [[Nathan Soltz]] - Chair of the [[Democratic Party of Oregon]]
*[[Dan Straily]] (born 1988), starting pitcher in the [[Philadelphia Phillies]] organization
* [[Mark Thorson]] – American football player
* [[Tyrell Williams]] – American football player for the [[Las Vegas Raiders]]

==Greek life==
On May 18, 2012, the school was introduced to its first traditional Greek life with the organization and initiation of [[Kappa Sigma]] fraternity, Sigma Tau chapter . The schools Greek system now consists of one traditional fraternity, one traditional sorority, one non-traditional fraternity and one non-traditional sorority. The school welcomed [[Alpha Chi Omega]], its first traditional sorority in the fall of 2015 with the organization founding its chapter in 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wou.edu/student-engagement/leadership/fraternity-sorority-life/sororities/ |title=Fraternity and Sorority Life |website= wou.edu |access-date=2019-07-27}}</ref> On November 29, 2012, the Beta Kappa chapter of [[Omega Delta Phi]] fraternity was founded. Kappa Delta Chi is the other non-traditional sorority on campus.

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{ccat}}
* {{oweb}}
* [https://wouwolves.com/ Athletics website]

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[[Category:Western Oregon University| ]]
[[Category:1856 establishments in Oregon Territory]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Polk County, Oregon]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges established in 1856]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Polk County, Oregon]]
[[Category:Public universities and colleges in Oregon]]