University of West Georgia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
University of West Georgia

Former names	Fourth District A&M School (1906–1933) West Georgia College (1933–1996) State University of West Georgia (1996–2005)
Motto	Go West, Go Wolves!
Type	Public university
Established	1906 (1906)
Parent institution	University System of Georgia
Academic affiliations	Space-grant
Endowment	$41.1 million
President	Brendan Kelly
Students	13,510
Location	Carrollton , Georgia , United States 33°34′18″N 85°06′53″W / 33.57167°N 85.11472°W / 33.57167; -85.11472
Campus	College Town 644 acres (2.61 km2)
Colors	Blue and Red
Nickname	Wolves
Sporting affiliations	NCAA Division II - Gulf South (Current) NCAA Division I – ASUN Conference (Starting in 2024)
Mascot	Wolfie

The University of West Georgia (UWG) is a public university located in Carrollton, Georgia. It also has a smaller campus in Newnan, Georgia, and offers some classes in Douglasville and at the Atlanta History Center. In Fall 2023, about 12,769 students were enrolled, including both undergraduate (first-degree) and graduate (advanced degree) students. UWG is one of four major universities in the University System of Georgia.

University History

In 1906, the school started as the Fourth District Agricultural and Mechanical School. It was created to offer practical education for young people aged 13 to 21 who lived in rural areas. The school was built on the Bonner plantation.

John H. Melson was the first principal from 1908 to 1920. He and his wife, Penelope, worked closely with the students. Penelope Melson started the school's first library. In January 1908, she held a "book shower" where people donated over 300 books to the school.

In 1920, Irvine S. Ingram took over as the second principal. The university's library is now named after him. Ingram helped create "extension" education, which offered classes for adults and a summer school for teachers. In 1933, the school's name changed to West Georgia College, and it became a two-year college. Ingram became its first president and served until 1960.

Under Ingram, West Georgia became a four-year university in 1957. He also got a large grant of $250,000 from the Rosenwald Foundation. This money helped expand the college's buildings and programs. One new program was "College in the Country," which helped adult learners and involved student teachers. It also led to international exchange programs that made the college well-known.

James E. Boyd became president in 1961. He is famous for peacefully ending racial segregation at the college in 1963. He invited Lillian Williams, a young Black woman, to attend. She later earned two degrees and received the college's highest honor.

In May 1964, President Boyd invited Robert F. Kennedy to dedicate the campus chapel. It was named the Kennedy Chapel in memory of U.S. president John F. Kennedy, who had passed away in 1963. Robert Kennedy spoke about the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which was being discussed in the United States Senate.

President Boyd greatly expanded the college during his time. When he started, there were 1,089 students. When he left, there were 5,503 students. The number of degrees and programs also grew a lot. In 1967, the first master's programs were offered.

Many new faculty members were hired, and several new buildings were constructed. The college also made policy changes. For example, in 1966, curfews for older women students were removed, and student groups like fraternities and sororities were allowed.

Ending Segregation

Before 1963, the college did not allow African-American students. In the mid-1950s, a teacher named Jeff Long encouraged his students from Carver High School to apply. Every student was denied admission because of their race. President Boyd changed this in 1963 by peacefully integrating the campus. The first Black student was Lillian Williams, a mother and teacher. In 2002, the university's president apologized to the Carver class of 1955. Now, there are scholarships for the descendants of those students and a scholarship in Lillian Williams's name for mothers returning to school.

Academics and Learning

The university offers many different study programs. These include programs for undergraduate degrees (your first college degree), graduate degrees (like master's), and doctoral degrees (the highest level). These programs are offered through various colleges, such as the Richards College of Business and the Tanner Health System School of Nursing.

UWG also has Certificate Programs and Specialist programs for Educators. These help students and teachers improve their skills. The university also used to have a special program called the Advanced Academy of Georgia. This program allowed high school juniors and seniors to take college courses and live on campus.

Psychology Program

UWG is one of only two public universities in the United States with a psychology program that focuses on humanistic and transpersonal psychology. This means it looks at human potential and spiritual experiences. In 1967, Mike Arons, a student of famous psychologist Abraham Maslow, became the head of the psychology department.

The department has offered a Ph.D. (doctoral degree) in psychology since 2011. This Ph.D. program is called "Psychology: Consciousness and Society." Many doctoral students in this program come from top universities and have international experience.

Student Life and Activities

Students at UWG can join over 150 different student organizations. These groups cover many interests, like academics, culture, professional development, politics, science, religion, service, and sports. There are also social fraternities and sororities that students can join if they meet certain academic requirements.

Wolves Don't Waste (WDW) is a student group that helps fight food insecurity. They work with campus dining to collect leftover food that would otherwise be thrown away. This food is then given to students, staff, and community members who need it.

UWG's marching band has over 100 members. They are known for their energetic performances. The Jazz Percussion Group has also performed in Europe and the United States, earning many awards for the university since 2003.

The campus is easy to walk around and has many facilities. These include a library with over 561,900 books, a gym with an indoor running track, computer labs, tennis courts, baseball fields, soccer fields, and a nature trail. There are also climbing walls and basketball courts.

The university once had its own radio station, WUWG, which broadcast on 90.7 MHz. It started in 1973 and served Carrollton and Carroll County. Now, it is part of Georgia Public Broadcasting. In 2009, the Mass Communications department launched The WOLF Internet Radio. This online station is run "For students by students."

Greek Village

The Greek Village is like a small community within the university. It has 18 houses for different fraternities and sororities. These houses have living rooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, bedrooms, and bathrooms. The village also has outdoor green spaces, parking, and a commons building. Recently, a pavilion, a basketball court, a volleyball court, and a fireplace with grills were added.

This village helps the university offer more housing options and attract new students. It also allows the different Greek groups to share a space together for the first time.

Student Demographics

The University of West Georgia publishes a "Fact Book" each year. This book contains statistics and information about the university since 1980–1981. All editions of the UWG Fact Book are available online.

Athletics and Sports

The University of West Georgia has many sports teams. Men's teams include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, and golf. Women's teams include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track, volleyball, and competition cheerleading. All these sports are part of NCAA Division I and will join the ASUN Conference starting July 1, 2024. In 2006, the university changed its athletic nickname from the "Braves" to the "Wolves."

Notable Alumni

Notable Faculty

• Roger Kaiser, Former UWG men's basketball coach and athletic director
• Newt Gingrich, History Professor (1970–1978), who later became Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives (1995–1999)

Images for kids

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  West Georgia Wolves logo.