University of Central Missouri - Warrensburg

University of Central Missouri International Student Insurance

The University of Central Missouri (UCM), located in Warrensburg, Missouri, was established in 1871. It was founded as Normal School No. 2, a teacher-training institution, and quickly became Warrensburg Teachers College. It became Central Missouri State Teachers College in 1919 and, as its curriculum expanded, was renamed Central Missouri State College in 1945. In 1966, it was given the deed to Max B. Swisher Skyhaven Airport, making it the only university in the state to own and operate an airport. It changed its name again in 1972 to Central Missouri State University and adopted its present name in 2006. Today, the university enrolls more than 11,000 students and counting each year. The school colors are cardinal and black, and its athletic nicknames are the mules and the jennies.

Academic Offerings

UCM offers more than 150 programs granting bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, doctoral degrees, graduate certificates, and more. Its courses are divided into four academic divisions: the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; the College of Education; the College of Health, Science and Technology; and the Harmon College of Business and Professional Studies. It still offers a wide variety of educational degrees, and it was one of the first universities in the nation to offer a cybersecurity program.

Campus Traditions

Like most universities, UCM’s campus has a number of longstanding traditions to make students feel more at home. The Week of Welcome (WOW) held at the beginning of each school year offers a weeklong series of programs like cookouts, ice cream socials, a game night, and more. “Get the Red Out” is a yearly street fair that connects students with local businesses and the Warrensburg community at large. The Color Run is the crown event of the annual Family Weekend. And legend tells that kissing the bronze mule statue near the stadium will give good luck.

Notable Alumni

Notable University of Central Missouri alumni include author Dale Carnegie; singer David Cook; actor Brian Thomas Smith; mathematician Curtis Cooper, known for discovering the world’s largest known prime number; and numerous professional athletes from the NFL and the MLB.

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