Alumni classnotes: Summer 2026

Western Michigan University recognizes alumni achievements and announcements submitted through spring 2026.

• Eugene Benson, BS ’59, MA ’64, of Rochester, New York, and Gary Baker, BS ’68, MBA ’81, of Cleveland, Ohio, were named FAA Safety Team Representative district honorees by the board of directors of the General Aviation Awards Program.
• Judge Michael Hatty, BA ’75, of Brighton, Michigan, was appointed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to the Michigan Appellate Defender Commission for a term expiring May 24, 2029.  
• Bill Ritchie, BM ’75, of St. Joseph, Michigan, was named the 2024 Outstanding Private Studio Teacher of the Year by the Nebraska chapter of the American String Teachers Association at the Nebraska Music Educators Association Conference.
• Thomas Hutchinson, BS ’76, a family law attorney at Norman Dowler LLP, was chosen by Pacific Coast Business Times for its “Who’s Who in Professional Services.”
• Laurie Linscott, BA ’83, of East Lansing, Michigan, and director of the Michigan State University Child Development Laboratories, was reappointed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to the Early Childhood Investment Corp. Executive Committee for a term expiring July 22, 2029.
• Paul Ecklund, MA ’90, of Portage, Michigan, was appointed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to the Barrier Free Design Board for a term from Oct. 31, 2026, to Oct. 31, 2029.
• Sharon Ferraro, BA ’92, of Kalamazoo, was reappointed to the State Historic Preservation Review Board for a term expiring Dec. 31, 2029.
• Melanie George, BA ’94, is the new producing director and chair of the dance program at Marymount Manhattan College in New York City.
• Brian Eva, BS ’94, of Jackson, Michigan, was appointed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to the Automobile Theft Prevention Authority Board of Directors for a term from July 2, 2026, to July 1, 2030.
• Laura Mammen, BA ’96, MA ’01, of Hudsonville, Michigan, was reappointed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to the Michigan Board of Counseling for a term from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2030.
• Thomas Clement, BA ’99, of East Lansing, Michigan, was reappointed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to the Crime Victim Services Commission for a term from Sept. 28, 2026, to Sept. 26, 2029.
• Nkenge Bergan, MA ’99, of Kalamazoo, was appointed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to the Michigan Committee on Juvenile Justice for a term ending Aug. 2, 2027.
• Erica Coulston, BA ’00, of Bloomfield Hills, was reappointed to the Statewide Independent Living Council for a term expiring Dec. 31, 2028.  
• Shaun Willis, BS ’00, was appointed to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Water Use Advisory Council and selected again by his peers in 2025 as a Best Lawyer in America for Business Litigation. Willis in 2004 co-founded Willis Law, a business law firm with 40 lawyers and staff in Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, Paw Paw and Chicago.
• Alicia M. Alvero, MA ’00, PhD ’03, became the first Latina in the history of the City University of New York system to be named CUNY executive vice chancellor and university provost, becoming one of the highest-ranking education officials in the state of New York.  
• Crystal Dowding, BS ’01, MS ’07, of Marshall, was appointed to the Statewide Independent Living Council for a term beginning Jan. 15, 2026, and ending at the pleasure of the governor, not later than Jan. 14, 2030.  
• Ben Rimes, BS ’02, of St. Joseph, was reappointed to the Michigan Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery for a term expiring Dec. 31, 2028.
• Kimberly Carter, MA ’02, superintendent of Battle Creek Public Schools, earned the title of Michigan Superintendent of the Year, an honor presented annually by the Michigan Association of Superintendents & Administrators. She was recognized for her leadership, vision and commitment to equity.
• Samantha Babcock, BA ’04, was named vice president of account services for Detroit-based brand advocacy agency CRIMSON.
• Elizabeth Fluty, BS ’04, of Delton, Michigan, was reappointed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to the Michigan Board of Nursing for a term ending June 30, 2028.
• Stephen Tupper, BBA ’05, of Belleview, Michigan, was named a 2026 district honoree for Certificated Flight Instructor by the board of directors of the General Aviation Awards Program.
• Tara Becker-Utess, BS ’05, was named Michigan’s 2026 High School Assistant Principal of the Year by the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals and The Michigan Associations of Student Councils and Honor Societies.
• Brian Greenia, BBA ’06, of Ortonville, Michigan, was appointed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to the Elevator Safety Board for a term ending July 22, 2029.
• Keith Kurdziel, BSE ’09, of DeWitt, executive director of high voltage distribution engineering for Consumers Energy, was reappointed to the Michigan Electrical Administrative Board for a term beginning July 10 and expiring July 31, 2028.
• Mark Turcotte, MFA ’09, a distinguished writer-in-residence at DePaul University, began his term as Illinois poet laureate on July 1, 2025. A member of the Turtle Mountain Band Anishinaabe, Turcotte is known for poetry addressing Native identity, movement, labor and survival.
• Jill Archie, BA ’10, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, published “The Timekeepers” (ARC Publishing, 2025), a young-adult fantasy novel named No. 1 on Amazon’s list of New Releases.  
• Ryan Norton, BSE ’10, of Vicksburg, a farm manager at Walther Farms, was appointed to the Michigan Potato Industry Commission for a term beginning July 10 and expiring July 1, 2028.
• Sara Dolan, MBA ’10, chief financial officer at Michigan State University Federal Credit Union, was appointed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to the Electronic Recording Commission for a term ending Jan. 1, 2028.
• Molly Wiegand, BFA ’16, started at Kalamazoo-based LKF Marketing as a graphic designer, working on print, digital and web projects while maintaining client brand standards.
• Andrew Collard, MFA ’18, PhD ’22, an English instructor at Ferris State University, published his second book, “Lo-Fi Citadels,” in March with Wayne State University Press.  
• Melaney Sloan, BS ’20, of Detroit, a budget and policy analyst for the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget, was appointed to the Michigan Interagency Council of Homelessness for a term beginning July 10 and expiring Jan. 30, 2028.  
• Olivia Boblet, BBA ’22, was named Volunteer of the Year at the SPCA of Southwest Michigan’s Fur Ball Gala in October 2025.