William Woods University

2010

Rita Mae Brown, best-selling author and Emmy-nominated screen writer, is the May commencement speaker. She is awarded honorary alumna status.
Rita Mae Brown publishes Cat of the Century--a mystery novel set on the campus of William Woods University.
Graduate and Adult Studies becomes Graduate and Professional Studies, to reflect an increase in undergraduate programming offered in outreach settings.
WWU opens a fourth outreach facility in Branson, Missouri.
Local chapter of Lambda Alpha Epsilon, a national criminal justice fraternity, is established with 12 charter members.
WWU team wins quiz bowl and right to represent Missouri’s 11 accredited athletic training education programs in the National Athletic Trainers’ Association District 5 competition.
The division of human performance creates a minor in coaching, available to all students with an interest in athletics.
The Rev. Samuel “Billy” Kyles visits campus to talk about his involvement in the civil rights movement and his friendship with the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Kyles was with King when he was assassinated in 1968.
Pulitzer Prize winner and Mark Twain biographer, Ron Powers, speaks at WWU on 100th anniversary of Twain’s death.
Students visit Holocaust sites in Europe as part of Woods Around the World.

2009

WWU welcomes 335 new students in the fall, the largest incoming class ever.
Dr. Jahnae H. Barnett is named 2009 Alumnus of the Year by the University of Mississippi School of Education, is honored by Arkansas State University during its Centennial as one of its 100 most successful leaders and is selected as one of Ingram’s magazine’s nine Icons of Education for 2010.
The MBA program is ranked 5th in the Top MBA programs of Missouri and Kansas by Ingram’s, a Kansas City business magazine.

William Woods University hosts Nobel Peace Prize winner Betty Williams for PeaceJam Youth Conferences in November: Nobel Laureate Betty Williams, known for her work to end the conflict in Northern Ireland and her continued work on behalf of women and children affected by violence, is awarded an honorary degree.
US Senator Claire McCaskill is the May commencement speaker. She is awarded an honorary degree.
An Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) circle is created at William Woods. ODK is a national leadership honor society.
Dr. Mary Spratt, WWU Cox Distinguished Professor of Biology and 2008 Missouri Professor of Year, co-authors an article, “Genomics Education Partnership,” and is published in the science education section of the prestigious weekly journal, Science.
At a meeting of the Missouri Branch of the American Society for Microbiology, WWU senior Kathryn Golden wins an award for her undergraduate research conducted in collaboration with Dr. Mary Spratt into tick-borne disease.
William Woods University students and horses are highlighted in a book, “Knack Grooming Horses: A Complete Illustrated Guide.”
Equestrian Judging Team wins Collegiate Overall Highpoint Team and the L.V. “Cy” Tirell Award at Morgan Grand Nationals.
Prazer OBF, a horse owned by WWU, wins a United States Equestrian Federation Horse of the Year Award.
WWU athletics has a banner year. Men and women’s golf teams are AMC champions and national qualifiers. Women’s basketball is AMC regular season co-champs, AMC tournament champs and makes a national tournament appearance. The softball team is AMC regular season champion. The volleyball and baseball teams are AMC regular season and postseason tournament runners-up.
Two WWU baseball players sign professional contracts with Major League Baseball. Nick Wooley becomes the first player in the history of the 10-year-old baseball program to be drafted by MLB when he is drafted by the Kansas City Royals. Josh Goodin later signs a free agent contract to join the Baltimore Orioles.
William Woods is recognized by the NAIA as a Champions of Character Institution and the softball team receives the NAIA’s Buffalo Funds Five Star Award for its dedication and implementation of the Champions of Character program.
A WWU fight song is created by faculty member Murphy Tetley.

2008

WWU President Dr. Jahnae H. Barnett is named inaugural First Lady in Education and receives award from Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt and First Lady Melanie Blunt.
Students in a new concentration in therapeutic riding sponsor an Equestrian Special Olympics, which attracts 19 riders.
Graduate and Adult Studies offers first cohorts in Arkansas and opens a new facility in Blue Springs, Mo.
WWU welcomes 325 new students in the fall, the largest incoming class ever.
A new entrance to campus, called Woods Way, is established on the northwest edge of campus.
Dr. Mary Spratt, Cox Distinguished Professor of Science, is named Missouri Professor of the Year by The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching
Jefferson City facility takes over entire building at 919 Wildwood Drive, doubling its square footage from 9,750 to 19,500.

2007

WWU graduates nearly 600 students in May, setting a record for a single commencement.
WWU begins offering online career training courses to allow more people to pursue their educational and professional goals.
American Sign Language Learning Community is introduced, creating a living environment made up of ASL majors.
NAIA Division I Men’s Basketball is added.
Graduate and Adult Studies is approved by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (the university’s accrediting body) and the Arkansas Department of Higher Education to offer William Woods classes in the state of Arkansas.
Larry York is named American Midwest Conference and National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Region V Athletics Director of the Year.
William Woods University hosts two Nobel Peace Prize winners for PeaceJam Youth Conferences in April and November: Nobel Laureate Jody Williams, known for her work to ban landmines, and Nobel Laureate Rigoberta Menchú Tum, a Quiché Maya Indian, known for her work as a peaceful advocate of native Indian rights in Central America, her leadership for indigenous people around the world and her involvement in the women’s rights movement. Both are awarded honorary degrees.

2006

Communication department adds degree concentration in digital filmmaking.
New residence hall, named in honor of President Emeritus Dr. Randall B. Cutlip, opens, housing 62 students.
Landon and Sarah Rowland Applied Riding Arena opens, made possible through a $300,000 lead gift from Sarah and Landon Rowland of Kansas City, Mo., and other WWU supporters.
Office of Service-Learning is established to involve more students in organized community service that addresses local needs, while developing their academic skills.
WWU is selected as the Heartland Region headquarters for PeaceJam, serving youth in Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska and southern Iowa and dedicated to inspiring a new generation of peacemakers through contact with Nobel Peace Prize winners.
The exercise science degree program meets the criteria recommended by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) for official recognition.
Master of education in athletics/activities administration program becomes one of the few to be recognized by the National Interscholastic Athletic Association as meeting the educational requirements toward becoming a Registered Athletic Administrator (RAA) or a Certified Athletic Administrator (CAA).
Judging Team wins the national championship at the U.S. National Arabian Championship Horse Show and takes many first place honors at the Grand National and World Championship Morgan Horse Show, including an individual world champion title.
2006 biology graduate Amanda Candee receives a public health fellowship at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Ga.
Students raise $17,500 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through a student-run organization, Up ‘til Dawn.
Undergraduate major in management information science replaces the computer information science program.
Graduate and Adult Studies adds a direct admissions MBA program (for recent college graduates), and an agribusiness concentration to the current accelerated MBA program.

2005

WWU opens new apartment-style Stone-Campbell Memorial Hall, with funding provided in part by John Schiffman of St. Louis.
1,124 graduate from WWU in 2005, setting new record
First male is elected to National Alumni Board of Directors.
Criminal Justice program is revised to provide a homeland security emphasis.
CIRCLES equestrian program for at-risk youth wins Martin Luther King award from the State of Missouri.
Two students, working with Dr. Mary Spratt on a research project involving ticks, Amanda Candee and Jillian Lee, win first place for the oral presentation of their research at the annual meeting of the Missouri Academy of Science (MAS). They later receive more honors at the American Society for Microbiology General Meeting in Atlanta, Ga.
Office of Career Services is created.
Graduate and Adult Studies offers master of education degree in athletics/activities administration.

2004

Graduate and Adult Studies introduces a new Bachelor of Science degree in marketing and a Bachelor of Science degree in management with an emphasis in human resources.
A major in exercise science is developed to provide students with the academic preparation and practical experience to serve as fitness/exercise specialists in a variety of physical fitness, wellness, health enhancement and/or rehabilitative settings.
An 18-hour minor in film studies is introduced, and a number of new courses are developed in such areas as script writing, history, film critique and applied film study.
A minor in social work is introduced, requiring 18 credit hours, many of which also fulfill the university’s common studies requirements. As part of the new minor, a new course in community service-learning is added to the curriculum.
A minor in chemistry is added.
The Office of Faith and Service is created.
Men and women’s cross country, indoor track and outdoor track teams are added, as well as a university cross country/fitness course with funding provided by the Weider Corporation.

2003

Undergraduate major in criminal justice is added to round out the offerings in legal studies, which already include political science, pre-law, paralegal studies and juvenile justice.
The university’s new FM radio station goes “on the air” around the clock. The Pulse, operating as KWWU, broadcasts on 94.9 MHz
Graduate and Adult Studies begins offering the Specialist of Education in Administration program, which prepares educational administrators to be certified for the superintendent’s certification.
Bachelor of Science degree-completion program in paralegal studies is introduced.
The Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI) grants approval for certified HR personnel to be re-certified for three years through WWU’s MBA human resources program.
The Columbia facility expands again to 13,700 square feet to accommodate more students and new programs.

2002

Division of Human Performance, comprising physical education, athletic training and sports management, is established.
$1.5 million Center for Human Performance opens, providing state-of-the-art care to WWU athletes and enhancing the university’s ability to provide clinical experiences for students.
Graduate and Adult Studies moves to a larger facility in Columbia to accommodate the demand for additional classroom space--a new 7,500-square-foot facility at 3100 Falling Leaf Court.
Master of Business Administration (MBA) program with concentration in human resources is introduced.
The Owls volleyball team wins the NAIA/Tachikara National Men’s Volleyball Championship. It is the first national championship ever for any William Woods athletic team. The Owls finish the season with a record of 31-4.
WWU’s mock trial teams sweep the National Mock Trial Championship during the Phi Alpha Delta Pre-law Conference and Mock Trial Competition in Chicago.
The Lucille and Bruce Lambert Charitable Foundation, Inc. donates $500,000 to William Woods University. Camden Point and Centennial Hall are renamed Lambert and Brockman halls.

2001

Graduate and Adult Studies implements new degree programs: AA-Liberal Arts, MBA-Accounting and MBA-Health Management.
Missouri awards an $80,000, three-year renewable grant to create an innovative new program, combining the study of social work with the study of American Sign Language (ASL). The ultimate goal is to provide the deaf community with social workers trained in their language.
An undergraduate honors program is added, enabling students to engage in a series of exceptional in-depth learning experiences in conjunction with their regular undergraduate program.
The Federal Communication Commission awards a license to William Woods for the construction and operation of a low-power on-campus FM radio station (KWWU 94.9, The Pulse) with a signal available within a three- to five-mile radius of campus.
Actor William Shatner is the May commencement speaker.

2000

WWU institutes an innovative program intended to make the institution more affordable and, at the same time, encourage and reward involvement that makes for a complete, well-rounded liberal arts education. The $5,000 LEAD (Leading, Educating, Achieving and Developing) tuition award is available to any student, regardless of financial need, who agrees to make a commitment to campus and community involvement.
A model courtroom, named for Bernard J. Weitzman, longtime trustee, is built in the Burton Business and Economics Building for the Legal Studies program. The facility is used for educational mock trials and hosts the Western Division of the Missouri Court of Appeals twice a year.
Two international fraternities, Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI) and Pi Kappa Alpha (PIKE), colonize on campus.
Best-selling author and Emmy-nominated screenwriter Rita Mae Brown addresses the graduates and their families and friends at May commencement. She is awarded an honorary degree, Doctor of Letters.
President Jahnae H. Barnett is chosen by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) to receive the Chief Executive Leadership Award.

1999

New academic majors in juvenile justice (the first in the state), political and legal studies, as well as several areas of concentration in a new mass communication and journalism program are introduced.
Graduate and Adult Studies moves into a new, larger facility in Jefferson City—at 3405 W. Truman Blvd.—because of program expansion and enrollment increases.
$5.5 million, 41,000-square-foot Gladys Woods Kemper Center for the Arts opens, providing an art gallery and academic facilities for visual, performing and communication arts students. Much of the funding comes from the William T. Kemper Foundation and the David Woods Kemper Memorial Foundation. Gladys Woods Kemper was the granddaughter of Dr. William S. Woods. She served as the first woman trustee of the university from 1927 until her death in 1931. The art gallery is named in honor of Mildred Cox, wife of Clark Cox (Cox Science and Language Center – and former WWU trustee).
The Kresge Foundation awards the university a $100,000 challenge grant to help finance the $400,000 purchase of science laboratory equipment and endowment of science laboratories.
In a joint partnership with the city of Fulton, a new athletic complex providing facilities for softball and baseball opens in the spring of 1999, and WWU fields a baseball team for the first time.
“Mr. Las Vegas” Wayne Newton receives an honorary degree in music from WWU prior to performing a Christmas concert on campus to benefit student scholarships.

1998

Auditorium in McNutt Campus Center named in honor of former president. Randall B. Cutlip.
Degree program for adults in computer information management is introduced.

1997

The first men to enroll in the traditional on-campus program start classes in the fall.
Weider Fitness Center opens. It is named for honorary trustee, Joe Weider, president of Weider Health and Fitness, publishers of popular health magazines.
Electrical fire guts the Fine Arts Center, which is declared a total loss.
WWU opens its second off-campus facility—in Jefferson City, with 170 students.
NAIA Division I men's sports are added in soccer, volleyball, baseball and golf.

1996

Board of Trustees votes to make WWU a coeducational institution.
WWU receives a $150,000 Connections Grant to develop programs, strategies and preventative measures to help Missouri students excel in school.
Mabee Foundation challenge grant of $620,000 is met, allowing for improvement of the equestrian science complex and the Amy Shelton McNutt Campus Center.

1995

Kemper Foundation provides $1.5 million grant to build cultural arts center.
WWU receives National Science Foundation Grant of $42,000.
WWU celebrates is Quesquicentennial (125 years) and inaugurates a capital campaign.
Olympian Jackie Joyner-Kersee visits WWU and speaks about “keeping your eyes on the prize.”
New computer system makes library more accessible through a $132,000 grant.
WWU creates a web site.
WWU introduces Century Scholars, an accelerated three-year baccalaureate program.

1994

Dr. Mary Spratt, biology professor, receives her fourth National Science Foundation teaching enhancement award.
WWU and Westminster College receive a joint grant for $132,000 technology enhancements for both institutions.
WWU establishes a women’s leadership program.

1993

William Woods College becomes William Woods University.
WWU receives a five-year Title III grant totaling approximately $1.2 million from the U.S. Department of Education for “Strengthening Institutions.”Funds were used to strengthen academic quality through technological support by providing more computers, computer labs and technological upgrades for library; develop and improve student support services for minority, non-traditional and hearing-impaired students; improve and enhance faculty and staff development through comprehensive programs; strengthen the university’s institutional advancement capabilities.

William Woods hasn't always been called William Woods University. Read more!

Female Orphan School (1870-1899)
Daughters College (1899-1900)
William Woods College (1901-1992)

Over its history, William Woods has been under the leadership of a total of twelve Presidents.

William Woods University's archival documents are in the care of the Western Historical Manuscripts Collection at the Missouri State Historical Society in Columbia, Missouri on the campus of MU.

Recent History (1993 to Present)