University of Wisconsin Stevens Point

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Stevens Point Normal was the original name of the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point.  In 1927 it became known as Central State Teachers College.  Later it became known as the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point.

The college colors are purple and yellow and the school mascot is the Pointer dog.

Stevens Point Normal opened its doors in 1894 to 300 students. Several programs were offered in teaching to anyone who had completed at least an eighth grade education and was not less than 15 years old.

Besides teacher preparation, "domestic science," later known as home economics, was a popular course.  Fred Schmeeckle, hired in 1923, established courses in conservation education which eventually grew into today's College of Natural Resources.  UWSP has one of the largest undergraduate (students without degrees) enrollments in the country.  Today you can walk in Schmeeckle Reserve attached to the college campus and enjoy the preserved wetlands and wildlife.

UWSP hosts the largest trivia contest every year from their radio station WWSP-90FM.  This radio station made "Trivia" a Central Wisconsin household word.  Margery Aber brought the tradition of Suzuki summer music to Stevens Point.  Every summer the university hosts this music program.  Both of these well know things started in the 1960s.