Westmar University was a private four-year liberal arts college in Le Mars, Iowa, U.S. It permanently closed on November 21, 1997. Westmar University was founded in 1887 as the Northwestern Normal School and Business College by Jacob Wernli, the Plymouth County Superintendent of Schools. Wernli severed his association with the school in 1891, and in 1892 it was taken over by the Le Mars Normal Association, an organization of local businessmen who saw value in having a college in the town, and renamed Le Mars Normal School. In 1900, ownership of the college was transferred to the United Evangelical Church and it was once again renamed, becoming Western Union College. During WWII WU College trained Navel Air cadets in primary flight, at first with three Bi-planes and later in piper-Cub aircr