Pandemic restrictions took a bite out of restaurant sales, curbing indoor dining for months and pushing the industry to reimagine the dining experience. John Schmitt, a former restauranteur, alumnus and senior business consultant for the Michigan Small Business Development Center, looks toward the future of the industry.

Alumnus Jamaal Ewing combined his passions for business and beer when he launched Black Calder Brewing in Grand Rapids at the end of 2020.

Established by the College of Health and Human Services (CHHS) in 2020 through a state appropriation of $1.5 million, the Resiliency Center for Families and Children addresses the many needs of those experiencing trauma, toxic stress, chronic disability, neurodevelopmental disorders or substance use disorder.

Alexis and Justin Black share their challenging journeys to overcome in their bestselling book, "Redefining Normal: How Two Foster Kids Beat the Odds and Discovered Health, Happiness and Love."  The memoir lays bare the wounds of their childhood and highlights the support they found in Western's Seita Scholars Program—a comprehensive support and scholarship program for students who have experienced foster care—and each other to build the lives they dreamed of having.

Inspired by Astor Piazzolla, the composer who brought tango to concert halls, Kozhevnikova’s 11 original compositions include the unique sound blend of instruments such as violin, saxophone, piano, bass and drums.

A cohort of literacy studies graduates found a way to better adapt to pandemic challenges in their own classroom while also collecting data that has the potential to influence the future of the teaching profession and boost student achievement.

Our world is not the same world it was a year ago. We’ve seen tremendous challenges—a pandemic, an economic crisis, political and social strife—and yet, we persisted. In the University’s quest to fulfill its purpose, “So that all may learn,” countless stories of innovation, adaptation and ingenuity have emerged.

Facilities Management will be testing the campuswide emergency notification broadcast system at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, March 31. The pre-programmed message will be broadcast from the public address system on campus.

A team of Western Michigan University food marketing students soared to second place during the virtual National Grocers Association Student Case Study Competition March 8 to 10. 

In-person youth summer camps will return to Western Michigan University, pending approval of safety plans and registration with the Office of Precollege Programming.

Join the 2021 International Festival: Keeping Us Connected from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday,  April 7, 8 and 9, on YouTube.

Mark Bugnaski, University photographer, shares his insight into what makes a compelling photo as well as his favorite picks for photos featuring student life.

Each survey participant will be entered in a drawing to win one of three gently used bikes. The bikes are pre-selected by our Open Bike Shop mechanics, and there will be a variety of sizes to choose from.

One lane of northbound Howard Street between West Michigan Avenue and Stadium Drive will be closed  for the duration of the project, begins Thursday, March 25, 2021, and is expected to wrap up in early September. With the creation of the new pedestrian pathway, the city project will provide a safer and well-lit way for people to walk along Howard.

Some campus services at Western Michigan University will be on reduced hours during spring semester recess, which begins Monday, March 29, and continues through Friday, April 2. Classes resume beginning at 8 a.m. Monday, April 5, via distance education except for programs with hands-on instruction.

The Merchandising Opportunities and Design Association (MODA) will host its Kaleidoscope Fashion Show at the Kalamazoo State Theatre on Saturday, March 20—a livestreamed event that will also offer a select number of in-person, socially distanced VIP tickets.

Recognizing the need for more resources for students to thrive, Western Michigan University has launched several initiatives focused on student mental health since the COVID-19 pandemic began, including two well-being platforms—WellTrack and YOU at Western. These new initiatives paired with existing programs are aimed at providing a mental and emotional check-in for students and connecting them with campus resources to ease the stressors of life during distance education and beyond.

It has been a full year since the growing COVID-19 pandemic changed the world and shifted Western Michigan University to distance learning. Over those 365 days, the community has experienced losses, dramatic change, isolation and uncertainty, but the period has also been a time of hope, innovation, resilience and adaptation.

Students, faculty and staff worked quickly to find new ways to learn, teach and create, facing challenges head-on as they traversed uncharted territory sparked by the global pandemic. At the same time, Broncos stepped up to support the community, creating and donating personal protective equipment for front-line workers and banding together to feed students in need.

The first class of the University’s product design program, which is based in the College of Fine Arts’ Richmond Institute for Design and Innovation (RIDI), graduates this spring. Many of the grads have positions at prestigious companies.

Western Michigan University recorded stellar results in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Mask Adherence Surveillance at Colleges and Universities Project (MASCUP).

Career and Student Employment Services announces Isaac Hughes as graduate Student Employee of the Year, Flor Santana as undergraduate Student Employee of the Year and Norm Risk as Supervisor of the Year.

Trustees will convene in formal session at 11 a.m. Thursday,  March 18, via virtual platform. Their meeting will be livestreamed at wmich.edu/trustees.Individuals wishing to address the board during either public comment sections of the meeting must notify Dr. Kahler Schuemann at kahler.schuemann@wmich.edu by 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 17.

A team of two students from Western Michigan University's Haworth College of Business claimed first place at the University of Toledo Invitational Sales Competition, continuing a winning streak for the sales and business marketing program.

The economic crisis sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic could set working women back decades.

Cracking cold case murders will be part of an innovative new program at Western Michigan University. In partnership with Michigan State Police, criminal justice students are getting unprecedented access to case files from unsolved murders in southwest Michigan.

Western Michigan University is hosting a virtual commencement ceremony on May 1 to celebrate spring 2021 graduates. As the rescheduled in-person graduation continues to be delayed, we have also invited 2020 spring and summer graduates to participate in this virtual ceremony. 

The innovative, interactive "Choir for Good" virtual concert weaves together music and social justice—an effort to give back while also giving students a meaningful experience in uncertain times. In order to ensure the safety of students, Kimberly Dunn Adams, director of choral activities, divided her classes into eight smaller chamber ensembles. Each group was given a different repertoire and charged with researching the composer, text and historical context of each piece. They then identified a societal issue connected to the piece—topics like hunger, racism, LGBTQ+ equality and access to clean water—and a nonprofit organization to highlight.

Amy Seth received the Region III Award of Merit which is given to a professional who demonstrates exceptional performance and dedication to the field of collegiate recreation.