Fall/Winter 2020-21

A photo of Tasia Richardson. — It's time to Rethink Smart

WMU excels at helping students find a deeper meaning and a better way of thinking. We call it Rethink Smart. We're proud to prepare students for a life well-lived by helping them to pursue, thrive and prosper in their everyday living.

Learn how Broncos are finding their purpose

University News

A person with "stop racism" written on their outstretched palms.

WMU takes action to advance racial justice

Mountaintop Initiatives is a new $2 million investment to advance the University's charge toward racial justice. In addition, the newly formed Racial Justice Advisory Committee will lead efforts to address systemic racism and racial inequities on campus and identify actions to build a campuswide culture of change.

A student stands with her arms outstretched in front of Heritage Hall.

WMU rolls out personalized well-being platform to help students harness their power to thrive, succeed and matter

Fostering success of STEM transfer students at WMU is focus of nearly $1M NSF grant

WMU alumna honored for efforts to curb human trafficking and end modern-day slavery

Higher Education Excellence in Diversity award.

WMU programs recognized by national diversity magazine

Dr. Alessander Danna-dos-Santos helps distribute face shields to children.

WMU professor develops face shields to make children safer at school

Anthropology professor emerita honored with lifetime achievement award

WMU building foundation for safe, secure artificial intelligence development with NSF grant

WMU librarian maintaining state hospital COVID-19 data online

A photo of WMU President Edward Montgomery. — Let's expand what it means to be smart

WMU is building on the strengths of what college contributes to the student’s experience—a strong academic base at a dynamic research university and all the best aspects of a residential college experience. What we are offering in addition to those attributes is the promise of giving students the space to find out about themselves, what drives them to get out of bed every day, to do more than what’s required and to push beyond what they thought was possible in pursuing their futures.

President Edward Montgomery, Ph.D.

Get inspired

Mogul in the making

Smart is identifying a need, figuring out how to fill it yourself and then turning it into a burgeoning business—while still balancing school and a full-time job.

Explore Tasia's tenacity

Purpose-filled pursuit

Smart is putting passion over a paycheck to pursue a higher goal, seeing challenges as opportunities rather than roadblocks.

Discover Garrett's prescription for success

A photo of Daniel Gayden holding his drumsticks in front of his drum kit.

A vessel for justice

Smart is the percussive pursuit of purpose that drums the beat for others to march to. It's digging deep when you feel lost and finding strength in your own story.

Learn about Daniel's drive

Ahead of the curve

When it rains, it stalls: WMU team studies weather impacts on autonomous vehicle technology

Dr. Zach Asher and doctoral student Nick Goberville are working on improving autonomous technology in inclement weather with a new business venture they've launched through WMU called Revision Autonomy.

A photo of Drs. Doug Lepisto and Derrick McIver.

Focused on the future

The Center for Principled Leadership and Business Strategy is providing immersive learning experiences at the undergraduate and graduate levels that blur the lines between education and professional business experience, connecting WMU with the West Michigan business community.

Students place their cell phones in an AvaUV Cube device at Valley Dining Center.

Shining light on the future of disinfection

Tekna, a global product development firm founded by a WMU alum, partnered with the University to pilot new technology that uses UVC light to disinfect personal items and equipment. It's an added layer of protection as Western works to mitigate spread of COVID-19.

Expert Insights

A laptop computer sits on an overturned laundry basket in a living room.

Making 'work from home' work for you

While shortening the morning commute, the pandemic push to work remotely left many of us scrambling to improvise a home office setup. Dr. Debra Lindstrom, a professor of occupational therapy who specializes in ergonomics, offers advice on how to avoid injuries and create a comfortable workspace when professional office equipment isn't available.

Laura Frantz works with a student. — So That All May Learn

Dr. Selena Protacio received a COVID-19 Response Grant to fund a study focused on bridging the technology gap between English learners in rural areas and their teachers.

Read about the low-tech solution making a big impact

Alumni Profile

A vision to help individuals with autism thrive

Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder as an adult, Erin Beal is now on a mission to help others with ASD reach their own potential. She opened the Autism and Wellness Center of Southwest Michigan to help individuals with ASD achieve a greater sense of well-being.

Buster Bronco bumps the fist of a man during the parade. — Bronco Pride

While the pandemic delayed the start of football, the WMU Alumni Association re-imagined homecoming week with a nod to past traditions: a campus car parade.

Share the WMU spirit

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