Western Washington University

Western Washington University is a public university located in Bellingham, Washington. Founded in 1893, it began as a state-supported normal school focused on teacher education and has since evolved into a comprehensive institution offering bachelor’s, master’s, and selected doctoral degrees. The university is organized into several colleges, including Humanities and Social Sciences, Science and Engineering, Business and Economics, Fine and Performing Arts, the Environment, and Education. Known for its emphasis on undergraduate education and interdisciplinary study, Western Washington University attracts students interested in environmental studies, liberal arts, sciences, and professional programs in a coastal Pacific Northwest setting near the Canadian border.

Western Washington University was founded in 1893 when Governor John McGraw signed legislation creating the New Whatcom Normal School in Bellingham, Washington. The first official class entered in 1899, and early leadership under Principal Edward T. Mathes guided the institution’s initial growth as a teachers’ training school. Over the early twentieth century, the school underwent several name changes, reflecting its expanding mission, and became Western Washington College of Education in 1937. In 1961 it was renamed Western Washington State College, and in 1977 it achieved university status as Western Washington University. During the 1960s and 1970s, enrollment increased significantly, and new academic units were established, including Fairhaven College and the College of the Environment. Today, Western Washington University in Bellingham serves thousands of students and offers a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programs.