KALAMAZOO--Thirty Western Michigan University students have
been awarded $1,000 each from the State Farm Companies Foundation
to support their participation as teacher interns during spring
semester and were honored at a recent reception in Lansing, Mich.
Dr. Gary L. Wegenke, dean of the WMU College of Education,
delivered the opening remarks at the reception, followed by State
Farm's Chris Cressy, vice president-agency for the state of Michigan.
They were joined by administrators from State Farm and WMU and
by student recipients of State Farm-funded internships and their
families. More than 100 people attended the annual banquet.
The internships were awarded through SUPT--WMU's School University
Partnership Team. Students successfully completed teaching internships
at school districts across southern Michigan. State Farm contributed
$30,000 for scholarships for the University's SUPT program, which
has been recognized nationally by the Association for Teacher
Educators as a Distinguished Program in Teacher Education.
"We are pleased to be able to continue our support of
this important program and to help these outstanding young men
and women pursue their career goals," says State Farm's
Cressy. "Today's education system is producing tomorrow's
workforce, and State Farm is proud to again partner with WMU
in cooperation with area public schools to provide outstanding
learning opportunities for tomorrow's classroom teachers."
Through the SUPT program, special emphasis again was placed
on locating interns in "urban schools of promise."
This past year, the State Farm Insurance Companies made contributions
to WMU totaling $50,000, not including employee matching gifts.
In addition to the $30,000 contributed for SUPT, State Farm gifts
supported minority scholarships in the College of Education and
Haworth College of Business as well as several ongoing initiatives
in support of financial planning courses in the business college,
including funding for the State Farm Professorship for Financial
Services and a finance executive on loan.
State Farm Teaching Interns
Amanda J. Almy, a senior from Allegan, Mich., interned
at Starr Elementary School in Plainwell, Mich.
April L. Barnum, a senior from St. Johns, Mich., interned
at Green Meadow Elementary School in Comstock, Mich.
Andrea L. Baschal, a senior from Battle Creek, Mich.,
interned at Milwood Middle School in Kalamazoo.
Amanda Sue Becktel, a senior from Cloverdale, Mich.,
interned at Kalamazoo Central High School in Kalamazoo.
Irene J. Canca, a senior from Vandalia, Mich., interned
at Norton Elementary School in Three Rivers, Mich.
Brett Closson, a senior from Benton Harbor, Mich.,
interned at Boynton Montessori School in Benton Harbor.
Cassandra Joy Cowels, a senior from Kalamazoo interned
at Comstock Alternative High School in Comstock, Mich.
Micah L. Deam, a senior from St. Joseph, Mich., interned
at Northeastern Elementary School in Kalamazoo.
Jennifer A. Engman, a senior from Dollar Bay, Mich.,
interned at Patrick Henry Elementary School in Heidelberg, Germany.
Lisa M. Fisher, a senior from Muskegon, Mich., interned
at Steele Middle School in Muskegon.
Mikel R. Gault, a senior from Comstock, Mich., interned
at Kalamazoo Central High School in Kalamazoo.
Kimbely A. Harmon, a senior from Otisville, Mich.,
interned at Spring Valley Elementary School in Kalamazoo.
Julie Ann Hughes, a senior from Portage, Mich., interned
at Waylee Elementary School in Portage.
Emily A. Jones, a senior from Lake Orion, Mich., interned
at Pepper Elementary School in Oak Park, Mich.
Ashlee M. Kalis, a senior from Portage, Mich., interned
at Edison Elementary School in Kalamazoo.
Rachael M. Kaluzny, a senior from Mattawan, Mich.,
interned at Paw Paw Middle School in Paw Paw, Mich.
Lauren Ann Kenny, a senior from Hoffman Estates, Ill.,
interned at Portage North Middle School in Portage, Mich.
Rebecca Lynn Kennedy, a senior from Baroda, Mich.,
interned at Edison Elementary School in Kalamazoo.
Joyell B.King, a senior from Wyoming, Mich., interned
at Coit Creative Arts Academy in Grand Rapids, Mich.
Ryan J. Minier, a senior from Reed City, Mich., interned
at Portage Central High School in Portage, Mich.
Meredith J. Oosta, a graduate from Grand Rapids, Mich.,
interned at Lee High School in Wyoming, Mich.
Melissa M. Pierce, a senior from Harbor Springs, Mich.,
interned at Maple Street Magnet School for the Arts in Kalamazoo.
Amy Elizabeth Poll, a senior from Zeeland, Mich., interned
at Northeastern Elementary School in Kalamazoo.
Jennifer L. Rausch, a senior from Lambertville, Mich.,
interned at Woodland Elementary School in Portage, Mich.
Cody L. Richard, a senior from Niles, Mich., interned
at Washington Elementary School in Kalamazoo.
Jessica D. Roe, a senior from Portage, Mich., interned
at Northeastern Elementary School in Kalamazoo.
Renee D. Roodvoets, a senior from Belmont, Mich., interned
at Gull Lake High School in Richland, Mich.
Courtney N. Tetsworth, a senior from Big Rapids, Mich.,
interned at Lincoln Elementary School in Kalamazoo.
Shaina S. Tubergan, a senior from Hamilton, Mich.,
interned at Gobles Elementary School in Gobles, Mich.