It was initially established as Western State Normal School in 1903 by Governor Aaron T. Bliss for the training of teachers.

On May 27, 1903, Michigan Governor Aaron T. Bliss signed a bill authorizing the creation of a teacher-training facility.

Other locations considered included Allegan, Muskegon, Grand Rapids, Decatur, Three Oaks, and Hastings.

[8] The university was first officially known as Western State Normal School and offered a two-year training program.

Because of the steep grade elevating the campus above the city, the Western State Normal Railroad was established in 1907 to carry students and staff up and down the hill with a funicular.

President Edward B. Montgomery stated "the crisis has already cost WMU well over $45 million, and we expect the tally to rise through the remainder of this fiscal year."

[14] West Campus is also the site of Miller Auditorium, a large entertainment venue seating nearly 3500 people.

Miller Auditorium hosts events ranging from popular musicals and concerts to graduation commencements and film screenings.

The Gilmore Theater Complex, featuring three performance stages and faculty offices, is directly next to Miller Auditorium.

Walwood Hall, renovated in 1992, is home to the Graduate College, the Graduate Student Advisory Committee, the Medieval Institute, the WMU Office of Research and Innovation, the Southwest Michigan Small Business Development Center, and several other academic and administrative offices.

[citation needed] In December 2012, WMU announced plans to renovate its birthplace, historic East Hall, for use as an alumni center.

It also announced plans to demolish several of the university's original historic buildings and utilize the hilltop as green space.

[15] In August 2013 West Hall and the Speech and Hearing building on WMU's East Campus were demolished.

[18] The Oakland Drive campus is home to the university's College of Health and Human Services and the WMU Army ROTC program.

[20] The Parkview Campus is home to the university's College of Engineering and Applied Sciences and is within the Business Technology and Research Park.

Erected in 2003, the $72.5 million building Floyd Hall is 343,000 square feet (31,900 m2) and features two three-story 600-foot (180 m) wings connected by a middle glass enclosure.

Western Michigan University offered aviation and music therapy programs in Punta Gorda and used Florida SouthWestern State College's campus.

It was announced in February 2019 that WMU Punta Gorda would close due to low enrollment numbers.

These regional sites are in cities throughout Michigan: WMU is considered "selective" by U.S. News & World Report.

[49] Privately funded and created in partnership with Borgess Medical Center and Bronson Methodist Hospital, the school was seeded by a $100 million cash donation from Dr. Homer Stryker's granddaughter, Ronda Stryker, and her husband William Johnston, a WMU trustee – the largest cash gift ever given to a college or university in Michigan.

[citation needed] Placement of the Chemistry Building generated much controversy from student groups because it displaced a large portion of greenery in the center of West Campus.

One such protest by a student group involved requesting the financial records of the construction and using chalk to depict the costs of each item on the plaza.

[citation needed] The Western Michigan Broncos are a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Football Bowl Subdivision school.