Custer Speaker Series events announced for fall 2026

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—The College of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Western Michigan University is hosting four events for its fall 2026 Custer Speaker Series, featuring speakers from across the country to inform and engage WMU students and community members about various subjects designed to broaden attendees’ understanding of the world.  

The topics covered in this semester’s Custer Speaker Series range from mathematical modeling and biological phenomena to sustainable smart packaging, career development across fields, and advice and guidance for life after graduation.  

The speaker series is open to the public and designed for attendees to hear from professionals on topics that deepen their knowledge and add depth to experiences. It is also an opportunity for WMU alumni and community members to engage with students—potential future employees.  

Floyd Hall, home to the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, will welcome two speakers in October. Dr. Alex Ferguson, B.S.E.'17, M.S.E.'18, is the first speaker of the fall 2026 semester, presenting "Applying Engineering Principles to Biological Complexity.” Ferguson is Principal Scientist of Modeling and Simulation at Novartis. Her event is in the Parkview Room (D-132) at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 8.  

Following the first speaker is Dr. Lokendra Pal on Monday, Oct. 12, at 2 p.m. in Room D-205 of Floyd Hall. Pal is the E.J. “Woody” Rice Professor and a university faculty scholar of sustainable bioproducts engineering in the Department of Forest Biomaterials, with an affiliated appointment in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, at NC State University. His talk is titled “Engineering Sustainable and Smart Packaging: From Laboratory Innovation to Startups and Industrial Commercialization.”  

In November, the next talk will be by Jason Tedrow, B.S.E.'97, president and CEO of InProduction. On Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 1 p.m. in the Parkview Room (D-132), Tedrow will present, “From the Shop Floor to the C-suite: An Engineer's Path to the Corner Office.”  

Wrapping up the semester is Dr. Justin Rittenhouse, B.S.'15, M.S.18, Ph.D.'24, engineering analyst at Whirlpool Corporation. His talk titled “Secret Keys: Unlock a Successful Career in STEM” will occur at 3 p.m. in the Parkview Room (D-132) on Tuesday, Nov. 10.  

Learn more about each of these fall 2026 events on the Custer Speaker Series webpage.   

For more WMU news, arts and events, visit WMU News online.