Expanding its mission to address the need for graduate and adult-oriented programs, the institution became known as William Woods University in 1993.

During the late nineteenth century, the institution moved to Fulton and expanded its elementary and secondary programs to accommodate young women who aspired to become teachers.

In 1962, anticipating dramatic changes in the role of American women in the labor force, William Woods became a four-year college.

In 1952, future U.S. President Ronald Reagan gave a commencement address at the college in which he said that he "always thought of America as a place in the divine scheme of things that was set aside as a promised land.

[9] The Rosa Parks Center is now the home for the newly announced Owl Football team, housing the coaching staff along with areas for student-athlete study and enrichment.

[14][13] The station's transmitter has an effective radiated power of 47 watts with a coverage area of about 3-5 miles, depending on the terrain and other factors.

[14][15][13] KWWU is operated as part of WWU's undergraduate communication programs, offering students the opportunity to serve as disc jockeys and assist in the station's management.

The university is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the American Midwest Conference (AMC) since the 1993–94 academic year.

The tradition is believed to have begun more than a hundred years ago when the Class of 1899 planted ivy on the campus during a special graduation ceremony.