November 2020 WMU News

Associate professor leads effort to save local restaurants, support front-line workers in pandemic

Dr. Sally Hadden helped create Feed the Fight Kalamazoo, which has raised more than $60,000 to deliver more than 6,000 meals from local restaurants to health care workers.

Sisters of the Skies: WMU aviation alumni help dreams take flight for young women of color

One hundred years since Bessie Coleman became the world’s first African American female pilot, Black women still make up less than 1% of professional pilots in the United States. Sisters of the Skies, Inc. is leading the charge to change that.

Bronconess wine brand partners with St. Julian, expands philanthropic impact

WMU's student-run wine brand, launched a year ago by the Center for Principled Leadership and Business Strategy in the Haworth College of Business, collaborated with St. Julian Winery for its newest product: Bronconess Peach Bubbly.  To date the brand has raised more than $35,000 for student scholarship through sales.

Law enforcement accreditation assessment team invites public comment

A team of assessors from the Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission will arrive on Monday, Nov. 30, to examine all aspects of Western Michigan University Department of Public Safety's policies and procedures, management, operations and support services. As part of this final on-site assessment for accreditation, employees and members of the general public are invited to provide comments to the assessment team.

Engineering student's research aims to drive in-motion wireless charging for electric vehicles

Md Marsad Zoardar is working to develop a wireless power transfer system that could charge electric vehicles while they're in motion.

A vision to help individuals with autism thrive

Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder as an adult, Erin Beal is now on a mission to help others with ASD reach their own potential. She opened the Autism and Wellness Center of Southwest Michigan to help individuals with ASD achieve a greater sense of well-being.

WMU recognized again for forestry management under national program with new focus

To obtain this distinction, WMU met the five core standards for an effective campus forest management including establishment of a tree advisory committee, evidence of a campus tree-care plan, dedicated annual expenditures for its campus tree program, an Arbor Day observance and sponsorship of student service learning projects.

Making 'work from home' work for you

While shortening the morning commute, the pandemic push to work remotely left many of us scrambling to improvise a home office setup. Dr. Debra Lindstrom, a professor of occupational therapy who specializes in ergonomics, offers advice on how to avoid injuries and create a comfortable workspace when professional office equipment isn't available.

Focused on the future

The Center for Principled Leadership and Business Strategy is providing immersive learning experiences at the undergraduate and graduate levels that blur the lines between education and professional business experience, connecting WMU with the West Michigan business community.

When it rains, it stalls: WMU team studies weather impacts on autonomous vehicle technology

Dr. Zach Asher and doctoral student Nick Goberville are working on improving autonomous technology in inclement weather with a new business venture they've launched through WMU called Revision Autonomy.

Campus office hours released for Thanksgiving recess

Faculty, students and the public are encouraged to call ahead to make sure that a particular office on campus is open. Adjusted building hours are listed here https://wmich.edu/hours.

WMU rolls out personalized well-being platform to help students harness their power to thrive, succeed and matter

Western Michigan University is putting students in control of their lives and future. Sixty percent of students feel anxious about the future and yearn for control over their lives. Western is responding with a first-of-its-kind effort for any Michigan public university, launching a new platform to meet students where they are and offer them tools to maximize their college experience. Focused on well-being—emotional and physical, career and academic—YOU at Western gives students the tools they need to craft their own success story.

University recognizes outstanding staff members, seeks input for annual award

The Make a Difference Awards committee has announced the spring 2020 recipients and is seeking nomination materials as it determines which four candidates will receive the annual honors.

Using music as a vessel for social justice

Smart is the percussive pursuit of purpose that drums the beat for others to march to. It's digging deep when you feel lost and finding strength in your own story.

Purpose-filled pursuit of patient connection

Smart is putting passion over a paycheck to pursue a higher goal, seeing challenges as opportunities rather than roadblocks.

Student leader by day, business mogul by night

Smart is identifying a need, figuring out how to fill it yourself and then turning it into a burgeoning business—while still balancing school and a full-time job.

Michigan Geological Survey receives state funding for continued science support

The state funds will help survey members with their continued work in the state—expanding geological mapping—to better understand resources like water, natural gas and aggregates that are available in Michigan, in order to protect the resources and more efficiently utilize them.

WMU student veteran honored with Operation Hat Trick scholarship

The Office of Military and Veterans Affairs announced Russell Pliley, an Air Force veteran and second-year geographic information science student, will receive a $1,000 Operation Hat Trick Military Scholarship.

Impacts of COVID-19 and social isolation on mental health explored in WMU study

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic caused an unprecedented and abrupt interruption of physical and traditional social interaction for many people around the globe. New research by a team at Western Michigan University shines a light on how that social isolation impacts mental health among Americans and uncovers potential mitigation strategies as this "new-normal" stretches on.

WMU and Thomas M. Cooley Law School to part ways

Western Michigan University and the Thomas M. Cooley Law School will end their affiliation as of November 2023, at which time the law school will no longer bear the WMU name.

School of Music faculty produce dozens of creative and research projects in trying times

The COVID-19 Pandemic has found the faculty at the School of Music continuing to contribute prolifically to the betterment of the arts and community. In a survey of faculty members in the unit, nearly 40 creative projects had been completed including music compositions written and performed, albums recorded and released, lectures and clinics presented, scholarly papers published and book deals secured, in-person camps pivoted and held virtually, concerts presented, and many collaborations planned. 

Human resource management students win scholarships

WMU human resource management students Sarah Reynolds and Henry Thiry have received the national, merit-based $2,500 SHRM Foundation Undergraduate Academic Scholarship, which recognizes accomplishments, scholastic ability and leadership potential.

Sales and business marketing earns national top program accolades

WMU's sales and business marketing program has once again been named a top national program by the Sales Education Foundation.

Board to consider bond issue for student center/dining hall, end to law school agreement Thursday

The WMU Board of Trustees will meet in formal session at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, in the Bernhard Center's North Ballroom. A livestream of the meeting will be accessible at wmich.edu/trustees.

De-stress, decompress and find community post-election at the SRC

After a busy and divisive election season, election fatigue and anxiety are real. Western Michigan University's Student Recreation Center invites the Bronco community to relieve stress and take a break from the campaign texts and calls in a healthy way. The SRC is waiving access fees Tuesday, Nov. 3, and Wednesday, Nov. 4, for all current WMU students and employees who bring their Bronco Card and complete the University's COVID-19 screening survey.

Nearly $5M grant will help WMU, school districts create new pipeline to fill teacher shortage

A $4.9 million U.S. Department of Education grant will spearhead the Urban Teacher Residency Program at WMU. The product of nearly two years of planning, this program will pay for candidates within the districts—like paraprofessionals, bus drivers, food service staff and custodians—to earn their teacher certification while they work, mitigating some of the barriers that impede qualified candidates from pursuing a career.