Open textbooks are high-quality educational resources licensed to allow instructors to use and adapt the content; students access that content for free online. With support from the grant, faculty and instructors replace higher-cost, traditional textbooks with these open textbooks.

Information sessions are underway for Western's summer travel and virtual study abroad programs.

After producer Berry Gordy's nephew saw The Velvelettes perform at a fraternity's talent show, the group found their ticket to fame at Hitsville USA.

Alumnus and former instructor John Kollig is helping Western inventory more than 200 of his paintings and sketches that date back decades.

Western's Challenge Scholars will not only receive full-tuition scholarships but have tutoring and writing coaching, career and employment advising and resources for first-generation college students and student financial aid, among other services, to help them thrive.

The pandemic thrust the world into a new era of digital connection, from remote work and virtual learning to family gatherings via computer screen. The evolution of communication in the pandemic inspired assistant professor Kelsey Paschich's piece "Recode," which she choreographed for Western students to perform at the annual Winter Gala Dance Concert.

Flexibility fueled success this school year for Western Michigan University's student-run radio station, 89.1 WIDR-FM. The group picked up multiple nominations in the 2020-21 Intercollegiate Broadcasting System (IBS) Awards.

A virtual Student Sustainability Summit will be held on Saturday, Feb. 27, from noon to 2 p.m. The summit will provide an opportunity for students across the University to share specific concerns on the broad theme of climate change.

Dr. Loretta Long, who educated millions as Susan Robinson on Sesame Street, earned an education degree from Western in 1960.

WMU's Office of Precollege Programming offers drop-in virtual tutoring sessions for middle and high school students in Kalamazoo Public Schools, provided by Western students.

WMU alumni Doug and Emily Wheelright met in 2013 at Lawson Ice Arena. Now, 8 years later they have welcomed their first child—a baby boy named Lawson.

Scott Jacobs landed a spot in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as a second assistant editor on the franchise's hit Disney+ series. He says it's the highlight of his career so far.

The annual Innovation Expo included 80 multidisciplinary WMU students who presented their unique products or services virtually, showing proof of concept or working prototypes.

"Loving husband, father, Tuskegee Airman." The words inscribed on Dr. Hackley Woodford's grave cover just a fraction of the immense impact the Western Michigan University alumnus had on thousands of lives in Southwest Michigan and beyond as a doctor, mentor and advocate for social justice.

Students are preparing themselves for the virtual job-hunting experience with the help of resources from Career and Student Employment Services and the Zhang Career Center.

Dr. Betty Dennis and the new Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion will  work within the college and with leaders across the University to move WMU toward inclusivity and antiracism, to benefit students and the greater WMU community.

Western Michigan University's online master's in education program is among the top in the country, according to U.S. News and World Report. Second in Michigan only to Michigan State University, the report cites Western's use of "contemporary instructional design practices and instructional technologies combined with the subject matter expertise of faculty to provide students with an effective and engaging learning experience."

Professor. World traveler. Journalist. Inventor. This 20th century renaissance woman may not have made it to the moon, but Dr. Merze Tate's resolve to boldly blaze her own path puts her among Western Michigan University's brightest stars. Fueled by a thirst for knowledge and boundless ambition, she became the first Black student to receive a bachelor's degree from Western State Teachers College—which would later become WMU—in 1927. But the road to get there was not easy.

Greg Gerfen, instructor of marketing and 30-year veteran of the advertising industry, shares his perspective on the strategies and potential pitfalls of advertising during the Super Bowl, outlining trends to keep an eye on this year.

Drs. Heather Petcovic and Matt Reeves in May will receive an almost $150,000 Nation Science Foundation grant to better understand how students use three-dimensional spatial thinking skills to predict contamination movement unseen below the surface.

Registration has begun for the Ethics Between the Lines Spring 2021 Book Clubs.

During his time as a Fulbright Scholar at Western,  Dr. Patrick Emeka Okonji will also spend time in the low vision clinic at the Unified Clinics at WMU to explore ways to incorporate clinical education in low vision rehabilitation preparation.

At their next meeting, WMU trustees will select among them a chair and a vice chair to lead the board. They also are expected to confirm the appointments of three University officers to serve the board as secretary, treasurer and assistant secretary and assistant treasurer.

The free, virtual discussion will be from noon to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 9.

The Master Certified Health Education Specialist accredited exam from the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing is one of the most highly regarded certification in the health education profession.

The Haworth College of Business is relaunching its MBA program, offering flexible delivery of courses, credit for relevant experience and skill sets that employers cite as most important for managers. The revised program will begin for students enrolling in fall 2021.

Western Michigan University's vision for the future of campus life is becoming a reality. The first group of students moved into the newly constructed Arcadia Flats apartments—a project that leads revitalization efforts in Hilltop Village, on the south end of campus.

The Richmond Center for Visual Arts is ready to welcome visitors back in person on Tuesday, Jan. 19, featuring the work of assistant professor Patrick D. Wilson. A number of enhanced safety measures are in place.

Drive-thru testing will be available by appointment at Sindecuse Health Center on Friday, Jan. 15, and Tuesday through Thursday, Jan. 19 to 21, from 8:15 a.m. to noon each day. Enrolled students, benefits-eligible employees and temporary employees may make their appointment using the health center's online patient portal.