When the new set of objectives is realized in 2032, Western will rank third in the state for both retention and graduation rates among Michigan’s comprehensive universities.
The heart of campus
This new space for connection, collaboration and community is redefining the Bronco experience.
Learn how the design captures the Bronco spirit Get the student perspective
From the President
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Dear friends and colleagues,
This semester marked a momentous occasion with the grand opening and formal dedication of the WMU Student Center. More than simply a building, it represents the University’s commitment to our extraordinary students and our relentless efforts to serve their needs in ways that are relevant, enriching and meaningful.
Students are at the heart of everything we do and every decision we make. We listened to their wants, needs and aspirations and then endeavored to create a space that would holistically enhance their Western experience. Within its walls, ideas are born as students collaborate among themselves as well as with faculty and staff. The center has become another campus platform for both teaching and learning as well as a space for relaxation, play and community. We envisioned the new student center as a hub for belonging, and the fact that it is continuously bustling with Broncos from morning until night underscores our successful mission.
While we take great pride in what this facility offers our students, our greatest pride is in Broncos themselves, including students like Nadia Famiano, a second-year creative writing and Spanish student. Nadia has recently ventured into the world of publishing by authoring the children’s book “Julie Loves to Dance.” You can read more about Nadia’s work in this edition. Her authorship serves as an excellent reminder that applied learning provides students with a first-class ticket to professional pursuits.
Our alumni also provide outstanding evidence of Western’s high-quality education. Aisha Thaj, one of the first graduates of the product design program, stands out as a shining example. She began as an intern in 2020 and earned a position in 2021 as Bell Flight’s first-ever industrial design engineer. Read about how she’s already playing a pivotal role in elevating the world-renowned company’s innovation.
Contributing to the journeys of individuals like Aisha and Nadia are why Western exists and why we remain committed to building on our 120-year legacy, “So that all may learn.”
All the best,
Edward Montgomery, PhD
President
Monks mesmerize with mandala
The Tibetan Buddhist Monks visited campus in October to construct a mandala sand painting. Capturing the attention of Broncos on the WMU Student Center Gathering Stairs, the monks painstakingly laid millions of grains of sand and then swept them away as part of this ancient spiritual art form to purify and heal the environment and its inhabitants.
University News
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Launched this fall, the Center for Contemporary Music, Improvisation and eXperimentation (CMIX) creates a space on campus for the creation, production, presentation and study of sonic arts, including jazz, popular music, contemporary concert music and multimedia. Pictured, the Western Jazz Collective presents a mini-set of original modern jazz with live electronics processing. “Nodes” features faculty and electronic musician Christopher Biggs.
Set for success
Domination is the name of the game for volleyball this season! The Broncos claimed the Mid-American Conference (MAC) regular season title with a 15-game win streak, their first title since 2008 and the 10th in program history. Senior setter Logan Case, left, is now the program’s all-time leader in career assists. The Broncos are also leading the MAC off the court as well, with Western’s women’s athletics program winning the 2022-23 MAC Women’s Faculty Athletics Representative Academic Achievement Award for the first time in program history!
Career Connections
In Print
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Medallion Scholar Nadia Famiano is only in her second year at Western, but she's already a published author. In between school assignments, she's busy entertaining invitations for book readings and honing her literary talents through the University's creative writing program.
Why I Give: David and Sandy Rozelle
People really thrive where they’re happy, and I loved the college campus. Both of us think that attending a university is a life-altering experience in so many wonderful ways.
David Rozelle, MSA '75