50th Anniversary Celebration

The Specialty Program in Alcohol and Drug Abuse at Western Michigan University is the first of its kind in Michigan and the first university-based training clinic in Michigan to address substance use disorders. In fall 2023, we celebrate our 50th anniversary.

Friday, October 13
5:30 to 8 p.m. 

CHHS Building Atrium

RSVP Today

The Specialty Program in Alcohol and Drug Abuse education assists individuals who wish to pursue credentials in the field through undergraduate and graduate studies.

Help us raise $100,000

An anonymous donor has pledged $50,000 to match your donations, dollar for dollar (up to a maximum of $10K per contribution).

Double your impact! If you donate $1000, we get $2000. If you donate $3500, we get $7000.

Help us reach our $100,000 goal by maximizing this matching pledge. Donate today!

Giveaways

We'll have a drawing at the event to give away four tickets (on the 50 yard line, of course) to the homecoming football game. Including VIP parking! Must be present to win.

We'll have other raffle items throughout the night as well!

  • SPADA students in the atrium
  • Dr. Simpson and students at Bronco Bash
  • Students in class

RSVP for the event

Please sign up to attend the anniversary celebration on Friday, October 13, 2023.

This is the Friday of Homecoming week at WMU, so there will be many alumni on campus for the weekend. We recommend reserving a hotel room as early as possible.

  • Sip with SIHP
  • Brad Finegood TED Talk
  • faculty at an event

Agenda

5:30 p.m. - Mingle, music, and food in the CHHS building atrium, 1st floor

6:10 p.m. - Welcome remarks in CHHS room 4010

6:15 p.m. - Presentations in CHHS room 4010

6:55 p.m. - Keynote speaker in CHHS room 4010

  • Brad Finegood, MA, LMHC, Strategic Advisor for Public Health, King County, Washington

7:10 p.m. - Activities in CHHS room 4010

7:40 p.m. - “Memories and Wishes for the future”

7:55 p.m. - Toast to the next 50 years

Presentations (6:15 p.m.) include:

  • Historical Perspective, SPADA Accomplishments
  • Recognition and Appreciation 
  • Presentation of first student recipient of the Patton Scholarship - Cat Baeza

Activities (7:10 p.m.) include:

  • SPADA BINGO and trivia
  • Raffle drawings

  • black and white clip from article
  • students chatting in black and white

About our keynote speaker

Brad Finegood, MA, LMHC, is a strategic advisor for public health on behavioral health matters. He has served as a co-chair of the King County Heroin and Prescription Opiate Task Force and has worked in the behavioral health field for 25 years in both substance use disorder and mental health direct service and administration.

In 2022, King County presented Finegold with the Recovery Champion Award, which recognizes a person or organization that has demonstrated hard work and passion in helping those with substance use disorders. Read more here: Council honors Brad Finegood with 2022 Recovery Champion Award.