[3] Its athletics teams, known as the West Alabama Tigers, are members of the Gulf South Conference and compete in NCAA Division II in all sports except two.

The school was established by Scots-Irish Presbyterians, who controlled the majority of seats on the first board of trustees selected in 1836.

The purpose of the school was to educate future teachers, while also offering course work in art, music, languages, and home economics.

[7] Tuition at this time was $20 annually with an additional $25 charged for piano lessons and $10 for French language and embroidery.

On January 15, 1840, state lawmakers incorporated Livingston Female Academy, granted it tax-exempt status, and gave the board the authority to establish rules and regulations.

Education reformer Julia Strudwick Tutwiler joined the faculty in 1881 as co-principal with her uncle, Carlos Green Smith, former president of the University of Alabama.

[11] In 1883, the school was renamed the "Alabama Normal College for Girls and Livingston Female Academy", to better reflect the new mission of the institution, providing students with choices of either two- or four-year programs.

[16] Foust Hall was built in 1922 as a lab school where college professors taught, and students observed and participated in classroom instruction.

Under Greenhill, campus life flourished as social sororities and intercollegiate sports in baseball, basketball, and football were added.

When William Wilson Hill assumed the presidency in 1944 after Greenhill left, he commissioned studies to determine if the institution should continue as a four-year college.

[22] The mission of the institution was broadened in 1957 when, under the leadership of Delos Culp (1954–1963), the school's name was changed to "Livingston State College".

[24] Kelly Hester Land was awarded the first master's degree, and a writing scholarship competition and building are named for her.

The number of faculty was increased during Deloney's presidency as well, and the school's colleges and divisions started taking shape.

He worked to establish a consortium of 13 schools to create a marine biology program and the Dauphin Island Sea Lab.

Pre-professional programs were established, and the first Ira D. Pruitt Division of Nursing class earned associate degrees in 1976.

[39] After Green resigned, Don C. Hines (1994–1998) assumed the post of president and brought additional change.

[44] Ed Roach (1998–2002) assumed the presidency in 1998 and set about integrating technology into every aspect of UWA life.

The board of trustees met to choose a replacement on an interim basis from university employees David Taylor, Richard Holland, Roy Underwood, and Clemit Spruiell.

[46] Richard Holland, an alumnus of the institution and former dean of the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, was selected by trustees to take over the position.

The small population in the city of Livingston and Southern hospitality give UWA its small-town atmosphere that many students come to appreciate.

Students who receive a Trustee Scholarship from the university or participate in certain activities such as varsity-level athletics may be required to live on campus.

The Sucarnochee Review is a creative-writing and art journal published by the university's Department of Languages and Literature.

Finally, the University of West Alabama provides educational video services to the community through Studio 96.

Fraternities and sororities take part in a number of philanthropic programs and provide social opportunities for students.

[60] The University of West Alabama has 12 sports teams (13 beginning in 2011–2012 with the addition of women's soccer).

The NCAA's Division II sports at the University of West Alabama include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, outdoor track, soccer, and tennis for men; basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, outdoor track, and volleyball for women.

[62] In 1992, the baseball team made history, advancing to their only Division II College World Series.

Their chances for the school's first baseball national championship ended in tough luck as they dropped two of three games.

[63] In 1997, the Tiger softball program made its only trip to the national tournament and posted a 1–2 record on the campus of Barry University.

In 2017, the men's soccer team advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Division II tournament losing to Lynn University.