May 2020 WMU News

Figures of speech: Instructor helps Kalamazoo TV anchor recover his voice

A rare vocal affliction upended a well-known Kalamazoo TV anchor. Find out how a Western Michigan University master faculty specialist helped him recover.

Taboo topics course uses dialogue to break through barriers

Designed and taught by Dr. Mark Orbe, Taboo Topics relies on dialogic learning—discussion-based study—to address sensitive subjects that are typically off-limits to speak about in North American culture. Therefore, matters pertaining to race, death, sex, religion, and other subjects are the foci.

Emily Bosak

Academic all-star Emily Bosak is bringing her talents to WMU's Bronson School of Nursing and Lee Honors College. She hopes to become a nurse anesthetist and fluent in three languages.

Product design students envisioning future of mobility with Eaton partnership

The mobility solutions of tomorrow are being dreamed up today at Western Michigan University. Through a partnership with Eaton Corp., the first cohort of product design students—now in their third year in the Richmond Institute for Design and Innovation—is envisioning what the world might look like in 50 years.

Uncharted Waters: Campus community navigates unprecedented shift to distance learning

Broncos are always ready for a challenge. That ability to adapt and rise above was galvanized as the COVID-19 crisis swept the globe and campuses cleared out to mitigate the spread. From lecture halls to living rooms, the move to distance education changed the learning environment at Western Michigan University.

WMU Board of Trustees approves updated contract with faculty union

The Board of Trustees approved a one-year extension of the University’s contract with WMU’s chapter of the AAUP Tuesday. The contract now runs through Sept. 6, 2021, and calls for a 2.25% base salary reduction for faculty members in board-appointed positions as of April 1, 2020. The salary adjustment will be in effect July 1, 2020, through June 30, 2021.

Trustees to consider faculty contract extension at special meeting Tuesday

At a special livestreamed meeting set for 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 26, the Board of Trustees will consider a one-year extension of the University's contract with the faculty union.

WMU professor unites health care heroes, Broadway stars to raise spirits and funds during pandemic

Jay Berkow, director of music theatre performance, spearheaded the Resilient Project—bringing together dozens of Broadway stars to sing his inspirational anthem, "Resilient," alongside frontline health care workers. The project is raising money for three national charities.

Keith Watkins

After spending his entire life tearing apart anything he could get his hands on, Keith Watkins is hoping to turn his passion for problem-solving into a career through the Haworth College of Business.

"Can I Get a Dr. in the House?!" - Mandy Weiss

This artwork created by Mandy Weiss is featured in the Pandemic Art gallery for students in Digital Photo I in spring 2020.

"E-Learning" - Jules Kupperman

This artwork created by Jules Kupperman is featured in the Pandemic Art gallery for students in Digital Photo I in spring 2020.

"Material Nature" - Sarah Wheaton

This artwork created by Sarah Wheaton is featured in the Pandemic Art gallery for students in Digital Photo I in spring 2020.

"Pandemic Meals" - Emma Somers

This artwork created by Emma Somers is featured in the Pandemic Art gallery for students in Digital Photo I in spring 2020.

"Abandoned" - Anna LeChard

This artwork created by Anna LeChard is featured in the Pandemic Art gallery for students in Digital Photo I in spring 2020.

"Eyelashes of the Forest" - Olivia Novak

This artwork created by Olivia Novak is featured in the Pandemic Art gallery for students in Digital Photo I in spring 2020.

"I Thought I Had More Ramen" - Jaylynn Mittig

This artwork created by Jaylynn Mittig is featured in the Pandemic Art gallery for students in Digital Photo I in spring 2020.

"Indistinguishable Reality" - Carolyn Wilson

This artwork created by Carolyn Wilson is featured in the Pandemic Art gallery for students in Digital Photo I in spring 2020.

"Value" - Leray Posey

This artwork created by Leray Posey is featured in the Pandemic Art gallery for students in Digital Photo I in spring 2020.

Two Broncos tapped to help address racial disparity in COVID-19 outcomes

Dr. Renée Branch Canady,  who is CEO of the Michigan Public Health Institute and Celeste Sanchez Lloyd, Community Program Manager at Strong Beginnings, are among a diverse group of two dozen medical professionals, health and community leaders appointed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to the Michigan Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities. Led by Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, the group is tasked with developing strategies to address the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on communities of color in Michigan.

COVID-19 response grants awarded for innovative research related to pandemic

The University's Office of Research and Innovation has awarded five grants for research related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Seeing beauty amid the chaos, WMU photography students tell their stories

Students in Bill Davis' Digital Photo I course had to transition to distance education in the middle of the semester, some without the necessary camera or editing equipment. Using their own experiences and whatever tools they had at home, they found ways to express themselves and become better artists despite having limited resources. They created imaginative photos portraying the fear, solitude, hope and even humor of life during the COVID-19 pandemic.

WMU launches online cybersecurity undergraduate degree

Western Michigan University will offer a new Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity, a fully online program, this fall. Courses will incorporate pertinent computer science and business aspects of this increasingly in-demand and high-paying profession.

Student entrepreneurs receive awards for innovation

Student entrepreneurs from Western Michigan University are being recognized for their innovative business ideas with the Brian Patrick Thomas Entrepreneurial Spirit Award and Wendell Christoff Award.

WMU Libraries' grants save students $184K in the spring semester

The six courses were spread across disciplines in three different colleges—College of Arts and Sciences, Haworth College of Business and College of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

WMU student recruiting and orientation captivating from afar

The transition to distance recruiting and welcoming has kept Western Michigan University's Offices of Admissions and Student Transitions very busy, and inspired creative approaches. Find out how the adjustments are continuing to attract the attention of prospective and new students.

Mentorship and externship in the era of COVID-19

A group of peer mentors recently helped guide more than 130 pre-business students through the professional preparation required for the Business Externship Program, offered through the Zhang Career Center. The mentors adjusted their approach due to COVID-19 and were able to provide added touchpoints while social distancing.

Breyana Wilson

Breyana Wilson will be graduating from Loy Norrix High School in Kalamazoo this spring. Wilson has committed to attend WMU in the fall as a special education major.

First-generation WMU graduate adapts to changing career outlook

Joe Sánchez is a first-generation graduate, earning a degree in aviation management and operations, with a minor in general business in spring 2020. With the airline industry in decline due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he used the business skills he honed at WMU to secure a full-time job as a team leader at Meijer in Plainfield, Ill.

National Guardsman, a WMU alum, helps lead effort to feed thousands of Michigan families

Michigan National Guard 2nd Lt. Hunter Davidson is leading a team of soldiers packing and distributing emergency food boxes to thousands of families across the state.

WMU teams claim top two spots at project management competition

Two five-member teams of Western Michigan University students placed first and second overall in THEProject competition hosted by the Western Michigan Chapter of Project Management Institute.