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Central Michigan University
Central-Michigan-University-seal.svg
Former name
Central Michigan Normal School and Business Institute (1892–1895)
Central Michigan Normal School (1895–1959)
Motto Sapientia, Virtus, Amicitia (Latin)
Motto in English
"Wisdom, Virtue, Friendship"
Type Public research university
Established 1892; 133 years ago (1892)
Accreditation HLC
Endowment $246.1 million (2021)
President Robert Davies
Provost Nancy E. Mathews
Academic staff
1,017
Administrative staff
1,441
Students 14,594
Undergraduates 10,421
Postgraduates 4,137
Location , ,
United States

43°35′23″N 84°46′39″W / 43.5898°N 84.7775°W / 43.5898; -84.7775
Campus Distant town, 480 acres (1.9 km2)
Other campuses
Newspaper Central Michigan Life
Colors Maroon and gold
         
Nickname Chippewas
Sporting affiliations
NCAA Division I FBS – MAC
Central Michigan University wordmark.svg

Central Michigan University (CMU) is a big public university in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. It's a place where students can do a lot of research. The university started in 1892 as a private school. It was first called the Central Michigan Normal School and Business Institute.

Later, in 1895, the state of Michigan took over the school. It was renamed Central State Normal School. In 1959, it became a full university and got its current name, Central Michigan University. This happened under its sixth president, Judson W. Foust.

CMU is one of eight research universities in Michigan. It has more than 15,000 students on its main campus. The university offers over 200 different study programs. These programs include things like business, journalism, music, and teaching. CMU also has a College of Medicine that opened in 2013.

The university's sports teams are called the Central Michigan Chippewas. They compete in NCAA Division I sports. CMU supports 70 public charter schools across Michigan. These schools help about 29,000 students.

Some of these charter schools are:

  • A.G.B.U. Alex and Marie Manoogian School
  • Canton Charter Academy
  • Detroit Leadership Academy
  • Eaton Academy
  • Holly Academy in Holly, Michigan
  • Jalen Rose Leadership Academy

History of Central Michigan University

Michigan official directory and legislative manual for the years (1905) (14763757102)
Central Michigan Normal School in 1905

CMU first opened its doors in 1892. It was known as the Central Michigan Normal School and Business Institute. Professor Charles F. R. Bellows was the first leader of the school. He started in June 1892.

In the first year, 31 students attended classes in downtown Mount Pleasant. Professor Bellows helped plan where the campus would be. He also helped build the first main building, which opened in 1893. Within two years, land was bought and a school building was built.

In 1895, the state of Michigan took control of the school. They renamed it Central Michigan Normal School. Professor Bellows left the school the next year.

By 1918, the campus had 25 acres and five buildings. On June 1, 1959, the school had grown a lot. It had 40 buildings on 235 acres and 4,500 students. Because of this growth, it was renamed Central Michigan University. The number of students tripled in the next 10 years.

To help more people become doctors in rural areas, CMU started its medical school in 2010.

How Central Michigan University is Run

Central Michigan University is managed by a group called the Board of Trustees. There are eight members on this board. The Governor of Michigan chooses them, and the Michigan Senate approves them. They serve for eight years.

The board chooses the university's president. Currently, the president is Robert O. Davies. Nancy E. Mathews is the Provost and Executive Vice President. She helps the president run the university every day.

What You Can Study at CMU

CMU Park Library
The Charles V. Park Library at Central Michigan University
CMU Education Building
The Education and Human Services Building at Central Michigan University

CMU has eight main areas of study, called academic divisions:

  • College of Business Administration (for business studies)
  • College of the Arts and Media (for arts and media)
  • College of Education and Human Services (for teaching and helping people)
  • Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow College of Health Professions (for health careers)
  • College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (for many different subjects like history and writing)
  • College of Medicine (for becoming a doctor)
  • College of Science and Engineering (for science and engineering)
  • College of Graduate Studies (for advanced degrees after your first one)

The Central Michigan University Libraries help students with their studies and research. The university also has the Brooks Astronomical Observatory. This is a place where students can study stars and space.

In 2013, CMU's neuroscience program was named the best undergraduate program of the year. This was by the Society for Neuroscience.

Here are some of the most popular subjects students studied in 2021:

  • Psychology (studying the mind)
  • Exercise Science and Kinesiology (studying how the body moves)
  • Community Organization and Advocacy (helping communities)
  • Marketing/Marketing Management (selling products and ideas)
  • Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology (studying tiny parts of living things)
  • Child Development (studying how children grow)

The College of Graduate Studies offers over 70 advanced degree programs. These are for students who want to continue their education after getting a bachelor's degree.

CMU also does a lot of research. In 2018, they spent $15.6 million on research and development.

Sports at Central Michigan University

CMU's sports teams are part of NCAA Division I. This is the highest level for college sports. Most CMU teams play in the Mid-American Conference. The women's lacrosse team also joined this conference in 2021.

The football team has had many great players. Some famous ones are Antonio Brown and Joe Staley. In 1974, before moving to Division I, the football team won a national championship. They also won the MAC Football Championship Game in 1994, 2006, 2007, and 2009. In 2009, they finished the season ranked in the Top 25 for the first time.

CMU's wrestling team is also very strong. They often beat teams from Michigan Wolverines and Michigan State Spartans. In 2008, they won their 10th straight MAC championship.

The women's basketball team has also done very well. In 2018, they made it to the "Sweet Sixteen" in the NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament. They beat the LSU Tigers and Lady Tigers and the Ohio State Buckeyes before losing to the Oregon Ducks.

In 1958, the men's swimming and diving team came in second place at a national meet.

Student Life at CMU

Student body composition as of May 2, 2022
Race and ethnicity Total
White 75% 75
 
Black 11% 11
 
Hispanic 5% 5
 
Other 5% 5
 
Asian 1% 1
 
Foreign national 1% 1
 
Native American 1% 1
 
Economic diversity
Low-income 36% 36
 
Affluent 64% 64
 

Living on Campus

Central Michigan University has 21 dorms, which are called residence halls. These are grouped into four areas on campus. In 2006, two new dorms, Celani and Fabiano, opened in the East complex. Some older dorms have been closed or changed over time.

Most dorm rooms at CMU are suites for 4 or 5 people. Some of the taller dorms, called The Towers, have rooms for 3 or 4 people. Newer dorms like Fabiano and Celani are mostly for older students.

Each dorm area has a dining hall where students can eat. There are also snack shops for after hours.

Some dorms are special "Living Learning Communities." Students who live there can study and work with others who are in similar classes.

  • Beddow Hall – for Business students
  • Herrig Hall – for Music students
  • Emmons Hall – for Health Professions students
  • Woldt Hall – for Science and Engineering students
  • Sweeney Hall – for Education and Human Services students
  • Thorpe Hall – for Honors Program students
  • Calkins Hall – for Leader Advancement Scholars
  • Troutman Hall – for Multicultural Advancement/Cofer Scholars
  • Cobb Hall – for Public Service students
  • Kulhavi Hall – for Transfer Students

All CMU dorms are co-ed, meaning both male and female students live there.

Greek Life

CMU has many Greek organizations. These include social groups (fraternities for men, sororities for women), academic groups, and professional groups. They follow university rules, like those against hazing. These groups offer students a chance to meet new people and build connections.

Campus Media

The student-run newspaper on campus is called Central Michigan Life. It is published every Thursday during the school year. Its website, www.cm-life.com, is updated daily. CM Life has won many awards for being one of the best college newspapers in the nation.

There are also two student-run college radio stations: FM 91.5 WMHW-FM and FM 101.1. Students also produce a newscast called News Central 34 and a college television station called MHTV. In 2005, students started a music label called Moore Media Records (MMR).

The university also owns and runs WCMU-TV, which is a PBS station. It also runs WCMU-FM, which is a NPR station. These stations serve many areas in Northern Michigan.

In 2003, White Pine Music was started. This is a recording label for the CMU School of Music.

In 2008, CMU launched an online magazine called Grand Central Magazine. It features stories about sports, entertainment, and more. In 2022, students in the Fashion Merchandising and Design department launched Verge Magazine. This fashion and lifestyle magazine is run entirely by students.

Famous People Who Went to CMU

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Universidad de Míchigan Central para niños

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