Thirty-four students serve as orientation leaders
June 11, 2001
KALAMAZOO -- Thirty-four WMU students (listed below) are serving as orientation leaders and helping incoming students "make their screen debut" this summer during Western Michigan University's orientation program.
More than 4,500 freshmen, 3,000 parents and 600 transfer students are expected to attend orientation sessions at WMU between June and August. During the sessions, the orientation leaders will be concentrating on this year's theme, "Making Your Screen Debut at WMU," which centers on rolling out the red carpet for the new students and helping them begin directing their future.
Each leader will help hundreds of orientation participants become acquainted with the University by giving campus tours, assisting students in registering for fall semester classes and facilitating student development and social activities.
"Orientation student leaders play a major role in the orientation program because they work directly with the new students and parents the entire session," says Christopher W. Tremblay, coordinator of orientation.
More than 120 people applied for the positions, and 34 were hired in February to be part of the team. They were selected on the basis of group and personal interviews, references, academic standing, curriculum, work experience and campus involvement in student organizations.
Prior to the start of the program, the leaders enrolled in a five-week training class that covered academics, activities, residence life, student development, team building, diversity and general University information.
"Being selected as an orientation student leader is an opportunity to experience one of the highest leadership roles that the University offers," Tremblay says. "We invest in the development of our leaders, which enables them to be successful in preparing the incoming students."
Kelli Allison of Westland, Mich., is a senior in majoring in occupational therapy. She is the daughter of Susann Allison of Westland and the late Kenneth Allison.
Jan Briggs of Dansville, Mich., is a sophomore majoring in University curriculum. He is the son of Karen and John Briggs of Dansville.
Chaitanya Dalvi of Bombay, India, is a sophomore majoring in computer engineering. He is the son of Medha and Himanshu Dalvi of Bombay, India.
Casey DeLong of Dewitt, Mich., is a junior majoring in organizational communication and Spanish. She is the daughter of Trudy and Terry DeLong of DeWitt.
Emily Drenth of Kalamazoo is a sophomore majoring in secondary education-mathematics and a member of the Lee Honors College. She is the daughter of Donna and Robert Drenth of Kalamazoo.
Joanne Eversden of Tecumseh, Mich., is a sophomore majoring in instrumental music education. She is the daughter of Susan and Philip Eversden of Tecumseh.
Angela Fielbrandt of Chesaning, Mich., is a senior majoring in social work. She is the daughter of Diane and Michael Fielbrandt of Chesaning.
Cassandra Garcia of Fox Lake, Ill., is a sophomore majoring in marketing and a member of the Lee Honors College. She is the daughter of Diane Garcia of Fox Lake and the late Anthony Grizzoffi.
Melissa Green of Grand Rapids, Mich., is a junior majoring in elementary education and a member of the Lee Honors College. She is the daughter of Velvie and Herman Green of Grand Rapids.
Mark Hardy of Robbins, Ill., is a sophomore majoring in aviation flight science. He is the grandson of Kathryn and Ben Harvey of Robbins.
Marnique Harris of Richfield, Minn., is a junior majoring in aviation flight science. She is the daughter of Alexandra Wright of Richfield and Cozell Harris of Hoganville, Ga.
Nathan Hoy of Temperance, Mich., is a junior majoring in criminal justice. He is the son of Paula and Robert Hoy of Temperance.
Christopher Jacobson of Okemos, Mich., is a junior majoring in music and public relations and a member of the Lee Honors College. He is the son of Teresa Jacobson of Okemos and R. Mark Jacobson of Strongsville, Ohio.
Alison Karwan of Madison Heights, Mich., is a junior majoring in public relations and journalism. She is the daughter of Elaine and Timothy Karwan of Madison Heights.
Brian Kemper of Novi, Mich., is a sophomore majoring in sales and marketing. He is the son of Nancy and Jim Kemper of Novi.
Jarek Khan of Detroit is a junior majoring in theatre performance. He is the son of Ester Rupert of Detroit and Natis Khan of Windsor, Ont.
Amanda Kinney of Grand Rapids, Mich., is a junior majoring in theatre education and French and a member of the Lee Honors College. She is the daughter of Mary Jo and James Mikula of Grand Rapids.
Erin Klemm of Jenison, Mich., is a sophomore majoring in secondary education-English and a member of the Lee Honors College. She is the daughter of Sheila and Douglas Klemm of Jenison.
Kai Kotts of Dearborn, Mich., is a junior majoring in special education and a member of the Lee Honors College. She is the daughter of Rebecca and Michael Chatman of Dearborn.
Colleen Kurmas of Sterling Heights, Mich., is a junior majoring in secondary education-English and creative writing. She is the daughter of Kathleen Crowell of Sterling Heights and the late Thomas Kurmas.
Alexander Lane of Bangkok, Thailand, is a sophomore majoring in aviation flight science. He is the son of Tuptim and Alastair Lane of Bangkok, Thailand.
William Lilly III of Belleville, Mich., is a sophomore majoring in business. He is the son of Cynthia Lilly of Belleville and William Lilly of Yuma, Ariz.
Amelia Logan of Richmond, Mich., is a sophomore majoring in broadcast and cable production. She is the daughter of Mary and Jack Logan of Richmond.
Rebecca Moore of Farmington Hills, Mich., is a junior majoring in elementary education and a member of the Lee Honors College. She is the daughter of Lilly and Michael Moore of Farmington Hills.
Benjamin Morin of Howell, Mich., is a sophomore majoring in aviation flight science and a member of the Lee Honors College. He is the son of Cynthia Morin of Howell and the late James Morin.
Daniel Murphy of Lansing, Mich., is a sophomore majoring in music education and a member of the Lee Honors College. He is the son of Mary and Michael Murphy of Lansing.
Megan Rohm of St. Joseph, Mich., is a sophomore majoring in University curriculum. She is the daughter of Judy and Mark Rohm of St. Joseph.
Rob Shumate of Monroe, Mich., is a sophomore majoring in aviation flight science and a member of the Lee Honors College. He is the son of LeAnn and Ed Shumate of Monroe.
Megan Stesney of Rochester Hills, Mich., is a junior majoring in elementary education. She is the daughter of Kathy and Edward Stesney of Rochester Hills.
Christopher Strok of Howell, Mich., is a sophomore majoring in secondary education-English. He is the son of Karen and Andrew Strok of Howell.
Kristi Tolley of Saginaw, Mich., is a senior majoring in advertising. She is the daughter of Jan and David Tolley of Saginaw.
Kristen Trombka of Troy, Mich., is a sophomore majoring in secondary education-English and theatre. She is the daughter of Terri-Lee and David Trombka of Troy.
Bradley VanFulpen of Kalamazoo is a sophomore majoring in business and a member of the Lee Honors College. He is the son of Lavona and Keith VanFulpen of Kalamazoo.
Rebecca Yourison of Madison, Wis., is a sophomore majoring in dance. She is the daughter of Judy and Jeff Yourison of Madison.
Media contact: Jeanne Baron, 616 387-8400, jeanne.baron@wmich.edu