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Part of the University of Wisconsin System – one of the nation’s highest ranked public higher education systems – the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point was founded in 1894 as the Stevens Point Normal School. A standard for teacher training in the 19th century, the normal school educated teachers the hard way – by putting them in front of a classroom for two years. However, Stevens Point also, unusually, offered programs in domestic science and conservation, which became the basis for excellent environmental sciences and natural resources education in the future. Today, UW-Stevens Point is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the Midwest’s best regional universities.
Academic Programs
As a regional institution, UW-Stevens Point’s mission is to provide the best educational opportunities for the most Wisconsinites possible. Stevens Point is primarily an undergraduate institution, with more than 120 majors and minors, though there are a few master’s programs available, most notably in the College of Education – not surprisingly, considering UWSP’s roots as a teacher’s college. Stevens Point makes extensive outreach to the people of the region, whether from high school, community college transfers, or nontraditional-aged, working adult students.The College of Natural Resources is also one of the most respected schools of its kind, and one of the oldest in the nation, dating back to the earliest years of the university. UWSP offered the first degree in environmental education ever, in 1946, and the college itself dates back to 1970. 91% of Natural Resources graduates have job or graduate school placement within six months, and Stevens Point is an ideal setting for natural resources education; the Schmeeckle Reserve, a 280-acre natural preserve, is located on campus, and Stevens Point is surrounded by hundreds of thousands of acres of forest, wetlands, and preserve.
Student Life
With a student body just short of 10,000, UW-Stevens Point offers students a large, vibrant community to take part in. Students can get involved with more than 200 student-led organizations and clubs, including community service groups, honors and professional development societies, and a wide variety of special interests. Four fraternities and four sororities add up to a substantial Greek Life as well. Community service is especially important at UWSP, and with its strong natural resources and environmental programs, Stevens Point is of course committed to sustainability; they are the first college in Wisconsin to achieve 100% renewable energy, and have been named to the Princeton Review’s Green College Honor Roll.UW-Stevens Point competes in the NCAA Division III as part of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The Pointers field 18 men’s and women’s varsity teams, including numerous conference championship winning teams. The men’s and women’s basketball teams are frequent conference championships, including back-to-back men’s championships, while the track and field teams have won more than 30 national NCAA championships.