Alumni classnotes: Winter and spring 2025

Western Michigan University recognizes alumni achievements and announcements submitted during spring and summer 2025.

• Retired Lt. Col. Danny Bement, BS ‘66, MA ‘76, of Portage, Michigan, was one of 25
  distinguished U.S. Army Cadet Command alumni who were inducted into the Army
  ROTC Hall of Fame in October.
• Steve Platto, BA ‘84, published his book, “Motor City Famous: Celebrity Homes,
  Gravesites & Little-Known Locales” in November from Arcadia Publishing’s The History
  Press. The book describes a historical trek in and around metro Detroit to visit 115
  locations of Detroit’s most famous residents, including Smokey Robinson, Lucille Ball
  and Robin Williams.
• WMU Trustee Kelly K. Burris, BS ‘88, was reappointed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to
  the Western Michigan University Board of Trustees for a new eight-year term ending on
  Dec. 31, 2032.
• Mary Ann DeBoer, BA ‘89, was appointed to the Court of Appeals of Indiana by former
  Gov. Eric J. Holcomb in September.
• Heidi Bell, MFA ‘98, debuted her work of fiction, “Signs of the Imminent Apocalypse,”
  (October 2024, Cornerstone Press) at a November launch event at Bookbug in
  Kalamazoo.
• Samantha Babcock, BA ‘04, was named vice president of account services, for Detroit-based brand advocacy agency CRIMSON.
• Aimee Jachym, BA ‘04, BBA ‘04, partner at Miller, Johnson, Snell & Cummiskey, P.L.C.,
  was appointed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to the Michigan Asian Pacific American
  Affairs Commission for a term ending Nov. 30, 2028.
• Craig S. Smith, BA ‘04, serves as the executive director for the Community School of
  Davidson (North Carolina) as of July 2024.
• Jerrold Jackson, MA ‘04, a distinguished speech-language practitioner, CEO and
  advocate for culturally responsive practices, was named the speech-language
  pathology co-chair for the 2024 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
  Convention.
• Jenita Moore, MPA ‘04, of Lansing, Michigan, was appointed to the Eastern Michigan
  University Board of Regents by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. In addition, she also was
  named deputy director of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity
  and director of faith-based and community partnerships.
• Gunnery Sgt. Cecilia Kozlowski, BM ‘08, and Staff Sgt. Brent Proseus, BM ‘20,
  performed in the 60th inauguration as members of “The President’s Own” United States
  Marine Band. The Marine Band performed “Hail to the Chief” at the U.S. Capitol for
  President Donald Trump immediately after he took the oath of office.
• Kathleen Poindexter, PhD ‘08, is among the new class of fellows in the American
  Academy of Nursing, an honor that is one of the highest a nursing educator can
  achieve.
• Chance Huiet, MM ‘15, an accomplished teacher and performer, will join the Michigan
  State University College of Music faculty next fall as assistant professor of tuba and
  euphonium.
• Kelsey Groesbeck, BSE ‘16, MSE ‘17, is the 2030 Leadership Award winner for the U.S.
  Green Building Council of West Michigan. She is recognized as an individual who has
  taken the initiative to decarbonize Grand Rapids and make strides toward global climate
  goals.