High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Western Oregon University is a public liberal arts college located in Monmouth, Oregon, United States. Originally established in 1856 by Oregon pioneers as Monmouth University, a private college, it later merged with another private institution, Bethel College, to become Christian College. It became a state college called Oregon State Normal School in 1882. Subsequent names include Oregon Normal School, Oregon College of Education, and Western Oregon State College. Western Oregon University incorporates both the College of Education and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Enrollment is approximately 5,000 students.