In the Spotlight: Top news from the college

When WMU Haworth sales students traveled to Arizona this spring, they carried with them a simple mission: Extend the winning streak. And they delivered—bringing the Desert Cup back to Kalamazoo for the third consecutive year.

Sales students were victorious at the Steel City Sales Challenge, hosted by Duquesne University’s Palumbo-Donahue School of Business. Josh Major placed second in the role-play competition. Drew Gassman placed first in the elevator pitch competition.

Sales students Ellen Worobec and Grace Olds, coached by fellow sales senior Ashlyn Thom, placed 6th out of 72 schools at the National Collegiate Sales Competition at Kennesaw State University, the premier competition in the U.S. for rising sales talent.

The sales and business marketing program has earned a place on the Sales Education Foundation's list of top sales programs in North America for the 18th consecutive year. The list highlights universities that enable graduates to perform at the highest level in their careers.

Crain's Grand Rapids Business recognized Western Michigan University's impact in its 2025 Newsmakers of the Year awards, naming Dr. Doug Lepisto and Dr. Derrick McIver, associate professors of management, overall Newsmakers of the Year. 

Nicole Sherman was among six students from across the country to receive a nationwide business scholarship awarded by the Richter Foundation and the Institute for Supply Management's Richter Scholarship Fund. The award provides up to $15,000 toward tuition.

The food marketing program was once again recognized with an Impact Award from Progressive Grocer. The Impact Awards highlight outstanding organizations that positively affect society. WMU is the only university to be recognized by the publication.

A team of digital marketing students claimed first place at the 2026 Digital Marketing Competition. This is the second consecutive year that Western students have placed first, with four other WMU teams ranked in the top 25.