WMU Home > About WMU > WMU News Retirement reception set for Robert AardemaDec. 1, 2007 KALAMAZOO--Robert Aardema, associate professor of aviation science, will be honored for his more than 27 years of service to Western Michigan University at a retirement reception from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7. Students, alumni, colleagues and friends from the community are welcome to attend the reception in the lobby of the Fetzer Center. Aardema joined the WMU faculty in 1979 as an instructor in engineering technology. He was promoted to assistant professor in 1991, and two years later was among six faculty members in engineering technology who were transferred by action of the Board of Trustees to the newly created School of Aviation. In 2000, he was promoted to associate professor and was appointed chair of the Department of Aviation Sciences. Aardema served as interim dean of the College of Aviation for 2002-03. A graduate of Hope College, Aardema earned a master's degree in manufacturing administration from WMU. He had more than 20 years experience as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard and also worked in private industry as a pilot and flight department manager. Media contact: Cheryl Roland, (269) 387-8400, cheryl.roland@wmich.edu WMU News |