New license plates show Bronco pride
Sept. 26, 2000
KALAMAZOO -- Supporters of Western Michigan University will be able to put their Bronco spirit in overdrive through a new automobile license plate program launched today in Lansing by Michigan Secretary of State Candice S. Miller.
WMU is one 15 Michigan universities with its own license plate through a new state initiative that is designed to let Michigan residents show pride in the school of their choice and, at the same time, help that school raise additional revenue.
The plates were unveiled in the Capitol rotunda at a noon news conference, which was attended by WMU officials and the University mascot Buster Bronco. Locally, Bronco fans will be able to get their first look at the WMU plate Monday, Oct. 2, when the West Main Mall branch of the Secretary of State office kicks off sales with a special promotion for the plate. University officials and area alumni will be on hand at 9 a.m. that day to help kick off sales.
Two versions of the plate are available-a regular plate that may be renewed annually and a collector's version for display on an automobile. Orders for the regular plate will be taken beginning Oct. 2 at any Secretary of State Office. The West Main branch office, which is a WMU theme office, will have 100 collector plates available for immediate purchase on Oct. 2 and will sell them until they are gone.
This is the only time Bronco plates will be available over the counter-with the exception of sales by Secretary of State mobile offices, which will be making weekend appearances at University events around the state. A mobile office will be selling both WMU and Central Michigan University plates at the WMU versus CMU football contest in Mount Pleasant on Nov. 11.
Bronco motorists will pay an additional $35 over their annual vehicle registration fee for the regular plate, with $25 of that fee going directly to the University's unrestricted fund. The plate can be renewed annually for a $10 addition to the vehicle registration fee. That $10 fee will go directly to WMU. The collector's version of the plate is available for a one-time fee of $35, with $25 going to the University.
Those ordering either version of the plate at a Secretary of State branch office will receive their plate in the mail. The plates are available with a "disabled" designation, and they also can be personalized with no more than five letters, numbers or spaces for an additional $30 personalization fee.
Each of the 15 plate designs features the mascot or symbol of its namesake University along with the school name across the bottom of the plate. Staff members at each university participated in the design process.
For more information, including options for ordering plates, visit the university license plate page on the Secretary of State Web site, <www.sos.state.mi.us/uplates/>.
Media contact: Cheryl Roland, 616 387-8400, cheryl.roland@wmich.edu