An independent voice in higher education, William Woods University distinguishes itself as a student-centered and professions-oriented university committed to the values of ethics, self-liberation, and lifelong education of students in the world community.

The vision of William Woods University is to be recognized as a progressive and growing leader in higher education, fiscally healthy, and achieving quality in all aspects of institutional life, while cultivating highly respected, innovative, and unique programs.

William Woods University traces its origins to 1870, when a small school was formed to educate female children orphaned during the Civil War. Over the years, some key developments have had a major impact on students, including:

• Becoming a four-year college in 1962,
• Chartering Greek organizations beginning in 1965,
• Expanding the mission to provide graduate education in 1992,
• Becoming a university in 1993, and
• Opening its doors to male students in 1996.

Although many changes have taken place over the years, the common theme of providing students with the best possible educational experience has remained. more