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Hettinger named to WMU Board of Trustees

Feb. 20, 2009

KALAMAZOO--Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm today named James F. Hettinger of Fennville, Mich., former president and CEO of Battle Creek Unlimited, to an eight-year term on the Western Michigan University Board of Trustees.

"We are very pleased with the governor's appointment of Jim Hettinger to our Board of Trustees," said WMU President John M. Dunn. "He is a longtime and faithful friend of the University with an exceptional record of service to the region and leadership in economic development. I look forward to his counsel and to working with him in his new role as a trustee of Western Michigan University."

Hettinger's appointment to the WMU board runs through Dec. 31, 2016. He is expected to be sworn in officially at the next regular meeting of the trustees, scheduled for April 24. Hettinger replaces Daniel Pero, whose term expired in December.

After nearly 30 years as head of Battle Creek Unlimited, a major economic-development organization, Hettinger retired in December 2008. He joined Battle Creek Unlimited in 1978 as marketing director and one year later was named president and CEO. He is credited with attracting nearly 100 companies and 9,400 jobs to Battle Creek's Fort Custer Industrial Park during his tenure.

For his work in economic development, Hettinger received letters of commendation from two U.S. presidents--Bill Clinton and George W. Bush--and in 1995 was selected by then Gov. John Engler as the state's Economic Developer of the Year.

An Albion, Mich., native, Hettinger earned both bachelor's and master's degrees in political science from WMU in 1971 and 1973, respectively, before going to the University of Missouri to pursue a doctoral degree in public administration. He received an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree from WMU in April 2007.

Media contact: Cheryl Roland, (269) 387-8400, cheryl.roland@wmich.edu

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