Of all the changes William Woods has seen over its lifetime, none has been as significant or far-reaching as in the 1990s. The institution's first female president, Dr. Jahnae H. Barnett, was inaugurated Oct. 13, 1990 and, under her leadership, William Woods College became William Woods University in 1992. The institution also began offering a variety of graduate-level degree programs geared toward the working adult.

In the fall of 1997, the first class of men crossed the bridge as members of the freshman class. Two national fraternities—Pi Kappa Alpha and Phi Gamma Delta—were begun in 2000. A new center for the arts opened in 1999 and an athletic training facility was completed in 2002.

Numerous curriculum changes, including the introduction of a four-year interpreting American Sign Language program, have been made and the LEAD (Leading, Educating, Achieving and Developing) program was initiated to encourage student participation in activities that would foster development of a well-rounded person. Enrollment, with the inclusion of Graduate and Adult Studies students, is approximately 2,700.

1997

William Woods became coeducational in the fall of 1997

NAIA Division I men's sports were added in soccer, volleyball, baseball and golf.

1998

William Woods began offering a new degree program in computer information management. The program was first offered in Jefferson City in the fall of 1998.

1999

In response to changing societal needs, William Woods implemented new academic majors in juvenile justice, political and legal studies, as well as several areas of concentration in a new mass communication and journalism program.

Graduate and Adult Studies moved into a new facility in Jefferson City—at 3405 W. Truman Blvd.—it had outgrown its former facilities because of program expansion and enrollment increases. The 6,000 square feet occupied by WWU contains five classrooms, offices and a seminar/conference room.

The 41,000-square-foot Gladys Woods Kemper Center for the Arts was completed and opened at the start of the school year. The $5.5 million building provides academic facilities for visual, performing and communication arts students, as well as an art gallery open for public viewing.

With the opening of the new art center, the former art annex was converted to a multi-purpose academic facility, as well as a repository for university archives. The building now houses an electronic classroom and a 30-station student computer laboratory, as well as academic computing server and repair facilities.

Residence halls and Tucker Dining Hall were renovated. Tucker Hall's face-lift included wallpaper, paint, tile, carpet and lighting, as well as top-of-the-line serving stations and cabinetry.

Important changes continued to take place in the curriculum to improve students'critical thinking skills and better prepare them to succeed in the next century. A more rigorous academic schedule began in the fall of 1999, substantially increasing the credit hours required for all students.

William Woods and its department of legal studies introduced a new degree program--the first and only juvenile justice degree program in the state. Juvenile justice is one of the fastest growing areas of law and policy because of the increased emphasis on issues dealing with children and the court system.

Science got a boost last year at William Woods when The Kresge Foundation, a highly competitive national foundation located in Troy, Mich., awarded the university a $100,000 challenge grant. This grant helped finance a $400,000 project supporting purchase of science laboratory equipment and endowment of science laboratories.

Also, in a joint partnership with the city of Fulton, a new four-field athletic complex providing facilities for soccer, softball and baseball opened in the spring of 1999, and William Woods fielded a baseball team for the first time.

2000

WWU instituted an innovative program intended to make the institution more affordable and, at the same time, encourage and reward campus and community involvement that makes for a complete, well-rounded liberal arts education. This $5,000 LEAD (Leading, Educating, Achieving and Developing) program is available to any student, regardless of financial need, who agrees to make a commitment to campus and community involvement.

A model courtroom was built in the Burton Building for the Legal Studies Department. The facility will enable students to put into practice the theoretical knowledge of law, government and politics they have learned in the classroom.

Two international fraternities colonized on the William Woods campus in 2000. Phi Gamma Delta and Pi Kappa Alpha were the first to establish Greek letter organizations for men at William Woods.

Jahnae H. Barnett, president of William Woods University, was chosen by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) to receive the Chief Executive Leadership Award.

2001

The Graduate and Adult Studies program implemented new degree programs, specifically an AA-Liberal Arts, an MBA-Accounting and an MBA-Health Management.

An MBA program concentration in accounting was added to the graduate program.

An MBA program concentration in health management was added to the graduate program. The program is conducted in cooperation with the School of Health Management of the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. In addition to classroom courses, the program involves on-line course work.

The State of Missouri awarded an $80,000 three-year renewable grant to William Woods University to create an innovative new program, combining the study of social work with the study of American Sign Language (ASL). The ultimate goal is to provide the deaf community with social workers trained in their language.

An undergraduate honors program under the direction of Dr. Shawn Hull was added to the curriculum. The program enables honors students to engage in a series of exceptional in-depth learning experiences in conjunction with their regular undergraduate program.

A coordinator of fitness and recreation was added to the staff.

The Federal Communication Commission awarded a license to William Woods in 2001 for the construction and operation of a low-power on-campus FM radio station. The signal should be available within a three- to five-mile radius of campus. KWWU will be an academic component of the division of visual, performing, and communication arts and will be used to support the instructional programs in communication.

2002

A new Division of Human Performance, encompassing physical education, athletic training and a new sports management major, was introduced.

A new major in sports management was added to the curriculum of the traditional on-campus programs of study. The sports management major is specifically designed to meet the needs of students interested in careers in athletics and sports. The program equips students with the communication, management, marketing and public relations skills they will need to work in sports-related agencies.

A new $1.5 million Center for Human Performance opened. It is a one-story 12,000-square-foot facility that serves a two-fold purpose—providing state-of-the-art care to WWU athletes and, at the same time, enhancing the university's ability to provide clinical experiences for students.

The Graduate and Adult Studies program in Columbia moved to a larger facility to accommodate the ever-increasing demand for additional classroom space. Columbia classes are now offered in a modern new 7,500-square-foot facility at 3100 Falling Leaf Court, near AC and Highway 63.

New programs were made available to residents of the Columbia area, with the introduction of specialized master of business administration (MBA) programs with concentrations in accounting, health management and human resources.

WWU marked another milestone when the Owls Volleyball Team won the NAIA/Tachikara National Men's Volleyball Championship. It was the first national championship ever for any William Woods athletic team. The Owls finished the season with a record of 31-4.

The William Woods mock trial teams swept the National Mock Trial Championship during the Phi Alpha Delta Pre-law Conference and Mock Trial Competition in Chicago in November.

2003

At the main campus in Fulton, a new undergraduate major in criminal justice was added to round out the offerings in legal studies, which already included political science, pre-law, paralegal studies and juvenile justice.

The university's new FM radio station went “on the air” around the clock with the start of classes in August. The station, operating as KWWU, broadcasts on 94.9 MHz. The signal is available within a three- to five-mile radius of the 90-foot tower that has been constructed on campus. The station is an academic component of the division of visual, performing, and communication arts and is being used to support the instructional programs in communication.

Graduate and Adult Studies began offering the Specialist of Education in School Administration program, which prepares educational administrators to be certified for the superintendent's certification.

The growing demand for paralegals inspired William Woods to develop a bachelor of science degree-completion program in paralegal studies.

The Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI) granted approval for certified HR personnel to be recertified for three years through WWU's human resources program.

Only 16 months after moving into new, larger quarters, the Columbia campus of William Woods University expanded again in the fall of 2003. With the expansion, the university had approximately 13,700 square feet to accommodate more students and new programs. The increased space allowed for four additional classrooms and a potential increase of 240 students.

2004

William Woods expanded its business offerings for working adults by introducing a new bachelor of science degree in marketing and a bachelor of science degree in management with an emphasis in human resources.

A new major in exercise science was developed to provide students with the academic preparation and practical experience to serve as fitness/exercise specialists in a variety of physical fitness, wellness, health enhancement, and/or rehabilitative settings.

An 18-hour minor in film was introduced, and a number of new courses were developed in such areas as script writing, history, film critique and applied film study.

A new minor in social work was introduced requiring 18 credit hours, many of which also fulfill the university’s common studies requirements. As part of the new minor, a new course in community service learning was added to the curriculum.

The university created an Office of Faith and Service and named a new university chaplain to accommodate renewed student interest in spirituality.

A new minor in chemistry was added to enhance the scientific background of students and to strengthen their analytical and scientific skills to meet the demands of an increasingly technical society.

Men and women’s cross country teams were added as well as a university cross country/fitness course. Funding was provided by the Weider Corporation.

A student center opened in the McNutt Campus Center in August, 2004. The center features a pool table, lounge furniture and bistro tables, wireless access, an ATM machine, Direct TV, and a snack bar.

2005

William Woods revised its bachelor of science degree in criminal justice to add an emphasis in homeland security. Homeland security is expected to be the biggest government employer for the next decade or longer because of the continued terrorist threats faced by the United States. The new program will prepare students to enter this developing field.

Two students who have been working with Dr. Mary Spratt on a tick research project—Amanda Candee and Jillian Lee—won first place for the oral presentation of their research at the annual meeting of the Missouri Academy of Science (MAS). They later received more honors at the American Society for Microbiology General Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia.

William Woods University is expanding its offerings for working adults in the Columbia area by introducing a new bachelor of social work degree program in the evening.

In following the objectives of the Strategic Plan and in support of our academic programs, the Community Life area created the Office of Career Services.

Through the generosity of Mr. John Schiffman of St. Louis, William Woods opened the doors in August to the newest university facility, two new apartment style residence halls. Stone-Campbell Memorial Hall apartments house 60 students in a suite arrangement. Each furnished suite has four bedrooms, two full baths, a fully equipped kitchen and living area. Each also comes equipped with washer and dryer and wireless internet connectivity. The Office of Faith and Service shares one of the Stone-Campbell apartments with health and counseling services.