Longtime employees inducted into 25 Year Club
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University recently inducted a total of 41 people into its 25 Year Club as well as recognized two current club members.
The faculty and staff members were honored during a gala induction and dinner Dec. 1. The by-invitation event celebrates employees who have built their careers at WMU by working at the University for 25 years. The 2016 class of inductees began their service to WMU in 1991. Counting these faculty and staff members, the club has an unofficial total of 1,213 members. Of these, 475 are active employees and 738 are retirees.
In addition to the induction of new members, this year's 25 Year Club gala featured special recognition for two club members, Richard W. Malott, professor of psychology, and James VanDePolder, associate professor of engineering design, manufacturing and management systems. The two faculty members came to WMU in 1966 and now have been employed at the institution for 50 years.
President John M. Dunn presented Bronco mementos to those two special honorees during the gala. He also presented certificates to each of the 25 Year Club inductees, in what is scheduled to be his final participation in the event as WMU's president.
Club inductees
- Donald L. Alexander, professor of economics
- Lisa E. Baker, professor of psychology
- John Barton, recreation/sports specialist III-SER, landscape services
- Christine J. Blum, custodian, building custodial and support services
- Linda J. Borish, associate professor of history
- Jody A. Brylinsky, associate provost for institutional effectiveness
- Jeffrey M. Carr, manager, maintenance services
- Kim Cho, international admissions counselor, Haenicke Institute for Global Education
- Timothy R. Cobbs, carpenter, maintenance services
- Deborah L. Cronkright, head salad maker, Bernhard Center Dining Services
- Douglas V. Davidson, associate professor of sociology
- James M. Davis, custodian, building custodial and support services
- Janice Evans, custodian, building custodial and support services
- David Franklin Florida II, supervisor, laboratory senior, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Jerry W. Fulbright Jr., recreation/sports specialist, landscape services
- Mario A. Galbreath, production operations specialist, Office of Information Technology
- George J. Haus, associate professor of special education and literacy studies
- Lynda L. Hunt, business manager, Office of Development and Alumni Relations
- Carol L.J. Hustoles, faculty specialist II-lecturer of finance and commercial law, retired vice president for legal affairs and general counsel
- Calvin Jones, custodian, building custodial and support services
- Senora Jones, custodian, building custodial and support services
- Stephen L. Kettner, producer and director, Office of Information Technology
- Janet M. Keyes, utility food worker, Burnham Dining Service
- Matthew A. Knewtson, professor of theatre
- R.V. Krishnamurthy, professor of geosciences
- Stephen B. Malcolm, professor of biological sciences
- Donald M. Meyer, professor and chair of economics
- Patty Mikowski, business manager associate, Unified Clinics
- Kathy L. Mitchell, university ombudsman, Office of the Ombudsman
- Stephanie Page, house staff, Fetzer Center
- John Parks, network switch analyst, telecommunications
- Randy A. Randt, custodian, building custodial and support services
- Joyce A. Simonds, utility food worker, Bernhard Center Dining Service
- Carol Sundberg, director, Unified Clinics and the Center for Disability Services
- Mercedes Tasende, professor of Spanish
- Rebecca I. Thiel, licensed electrician, maintenance services
- Arthur Ward, refrigeration repairperson, maintenance services
- Martha B. Warfield, vice president for diversity and inclusion
- Alice Wheatley, utility food worker, Burnham Dining Service
- Derrick Williams, second cook, Burnham Dining Service
- David A. Wyman, recreation and sports specialist III, landscape services
For more information on the 25 Year Club including its active and retiree membership lists, visit wmich.edu/hr/25yearclub. Direct questions to the Office of Human Resources at hr-hris@wmich.edu or (269) 387-3620.
For more WMU news, arts and events, visit wmich.edu/news.