2019 WMU News

Trustees to meet Nov. 6, consider 2020-21 apartment rates, other recommendations

The WMU Board of Trustees is scheduled to meet in formal session at 11 a.m. on East Campus in the Heritage Hall ballroom.

$1.5M in grants strengthen WMU's vision rehab and mobility programs

The Department of Blindness and Low Vision Studies at Western Michigan University has won two Rehabilitation Services Administration grants totaling nearly $1.5 million to strengthen recruiting efforts and increase the number of highly qualified vision rehabilitation therapists and orientation and mobility specialists over the next five years.

LBGT office celebrates 30 years of inclusion, diversity on campus

WMU's Office of LBGT Student Services celebrated its 30th anniversary on campus this fall. The office was the sixth of its kind in the nation when it began in 1989, pioneering acceptance for gay, bisexual, lesbian and transgender students.

Utility work expands road closure on WMU campus

A road closure related to the Arcadia Flats construction project will expand Monday, Oct. 28, to include Burnham sidewalks as well as crosswalks and parking spots on Arcadia Loop.

Powerful piece wins WMU dance student prestigious choreography award

WMU dance student Hayley Midea won the coveted Maggie Allesee Choreography Award, an annual award that recognizes excellence among Michigan choreographers.

WMU Sky Broncos win regional competition seventh year in row

WMU aviators qualified for the 2020 NIFA national SAFECON set to take place May 18-23 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

WMU joins national alliance aimed at developing more inclusive and diverse STEM faculty

WMU is joining a cohort of universities in a three-year institutional change effort to develop inclusive faculty recruitment, hiring and retention practices in STEM fields—part of the NSF INCLUDES initiative.

Students claim second place in HR Games competition

Two teams of human resource management students from Western Michigan University’s Haworth College of Business competed in the HR Games, an annual competition sponsored by the Michigan Society for Human Resource Management, with one team claiming second place.

Engineering students lead cutting-edge automation research at WMU

Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist visited WMU's campus Monday, Oct. 21, to help launch the testing of accessible autonomous shuttles aimed at improving transportation options for people with disabilities. Two WMU graduate students, Nick Goberville and Johan Rojas, are helping coordinate and carry out the multimillion-dollar project.

WMU English professor recipient of 2019 Charles Carpenter Fries Award

The Michigan Council of Teachers of English has named Dr. Jonathan Bush, English professor at Western Michigan University, as the 2019 recipient of the Charles Carpenter Fries Award.

College of Education and Human Development Alumni receive awards

The 2nd annual Outstanding Alumni Awards was presented to Hon. Dennis Archer, Dr. Fritz Erickson, and Dr. Carol Whitney at the WMU Night of Excellence on Friday, Oct. 11.

WMU student program recognized by national diversity magazine

WMU was one of 93 institutions from around the nation named an annual HEED honoree by INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine and has been honored by the publication each year since 2013.

New class of Medallion Scholars inducted into elite group

The new scholars exemplify the academic prowess and diversity of backgrounds high school grads bring to WMU each fall.

WMU launches new effort to advance climate commitment

WMU is launching a Carbon Neutrality Committee as it works to explore ways to advance the University's commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and strengthen its Climate Action Plan.

President Montgomery inducted into American Academy of Arts and Sciences

He joined former first lady Michelle Obama and some 200 others recognized for achievements in academia, the arts, business, government and public affairs.

Student chosen to represent WMU on youth voter engagement task force

Nursing major Ariana Johnson, of Marshall, will represent WMU on the new Collegiate Student Advisory Task Force, tasked with delivering recommendations on improving youth voting engagement to Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson.

WMU garners more than $1.5M during 24-hour Giving Day

WMU partners with Goodwill of Greater Grand Rapids for employee leadership, growth training

Program content focuses on leadership, professional communications, change management, emotional intelligence, diversity, equity and inclusion, and mental health, with courses taught by both WMU faculty and community partners.

WMU conference examines intersection of information technology and health care

"Transitioning to Smart Care: Challenges, Strategies and Solutions" will be the focus of the International Conference on Health Information Technology Advancement, Thursday and Friday, Oct. 31-Nov. 1.

WMU grant to digitally preserve Gilmore Car Museum, Richland library historic collections; set regional pilot program

Amy Bocko, WMU associate professor and digital projects librarian, was awarded a $23,758 grant from the Collaborative Library Services’ program and the Library of Michigan to lead a team that provides training, oversight and support to select community partners as they create pilot digital collections.

Philanthropic opportunities uncorked with new WMU wine

A wine brand with profits going toward scholarships will soon be available to alumni and friends of WMU, courtesy of the efforts of leadership and business strategy students who spent 12 months working on the wine brand project, under faculty guidance.

WMU Homecoming and Family Weekend events planned

"Go for Gold" is the 2019 WMU Homecoming theme, and a host of activities will mark this year's 96th annual celebration.

Dancing, art and cultural activities highlight WMU China Festival

Admission to WMU's China Festival, parking and cultural activities are free, and for a nominal fee, attendees may sample traditional foods prepared by local restaurants.

Update: Aerial mosquito treatment canceled for WMU campus area

9/30/19 Update: The Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services Department has announced that it will no longer conduct aerial insecticide treatments anywhere in the county. This is due to the number of opt-out requests that residents sent to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

WMU secures NIH grant to use technology to battle opioid addiction

Research on the horizon at WMU could lead to life-saving results for people struggling with opioid addiction. Addiction recovery technology company DynamiCare Health, in collaboration with WMU, has been awarded a $222,383 grant from the National Institutes of Health's Helping to End Addiction Long-term, or NIH HEAL, Initiative.

Confronting racism and creating justice take center stage at WMU with book circles, play

A unique collaboration meant to catalyze conversation on racial biases will take place at Western Michigan University. The events involve book circles discussing bestselling author Ibram Kendi's book, "How to be an Antiracist," a visit and discussions with the author himself, as well as a WMU Theatre production of "Gem of the Ocean," the first in playwright August Wilson's 10-play chronicle of the African American experience.

Native seed project helps WMU get back to its roots

Hundreds of native plants are being raised at the University and used in ecological restoration projects all over campus.

New academic leadership highlights WMU innovation, expertise

Showing us that our faculty are as fluent in change as our students, Dr. Irma Lopez and Dr. Steven Butt took  on new challenges this academic year as interim deans.

Ali Neamah, from Iraq, Thrives at WMU

For Ali Neamah, a native of Dhi-qar, Iraq, Western Michigan University has offered more than just a place to learn English and eventually earn a master’s degree in chemical engineering; it has become a place to thrive.

Technology creates new layer of safety for people with visual impairments

A project is underway at WMU, under the guidance of Dr. Pnina Ari-Gur, to create a vest that could alert people with visual impairments to obstacles in their path.