March 2022 WMU News

St. Julian Winery makes gift to WMU leadership and business strategy program

St. Julian Winery recently made a gift to support scholarships for students in Western Michigan University's leadership and business strategy program, following a partnership that resulted in a new product for the Bronconess wine brand. Bronconess is a student-operated business that has raised more than $45,000 for scholarships through sales of its products.

Business Broncos take first place in ACG Cup competition

Four Western Michigan University students recently placed first for the undergraduate title at the Association for Corporate Growth Cup, winning a $6,000 cash prize. This is the first time WMU has won the competition at the undergraduate level.

Focusing on the basics with aerospace engineer Adam Houtman

"Brilliance is in the basics" for aerospace engineer Adam Houtman, B.S. '13, who launched his career in the WMU College of Engineering and Applied Sciences and attributes his success to focusing on the basics, something his WMU professors instilled in him. "Dr. G., like many other WMU professors, embraces mentoring as much as teaching a subject and no engineer can get far without good mentors!"

Western Weekend RSO Fair: Find new friends, win prizes

The RSO Fair is a drop-in event from noon to 3 p.m. on April 2 at Sangren Hall connecting students to WMU student organizations, intramural sports and Greek life chapters. Created by WSA and CAB, it gives Broncos a chance to find a new interest, connect with other students and immerse themselves in the campus community. There will also be a prize drawing for both students and organizations.

Western team works to increase gender, racial diversity in higher ed STEM fields

Work to diversify representation in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) faculty is moving forward at Western Michigan University. Fueled by a nearly $1 million National Science Foundation ADVANCE grant, a team at Western is partnering with researchers at Iowa State University, North Dakota State University and Michigan Technological University to create programming aimed at increasing the participation of women, and particularly women of color, in STEM.

We Talk and Fetzer Institute partner to ease political divisiveness

The first initiative of the partnership will be bringing Dave Isay, founder of StoryCorps, an ongoing national oral history project, and its One Small Step initiative to Kalamazoo on Monday and Tuesday, March 28 and 29. Isay will speak about this work at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday in the Fetzer Center’s Kirsch Auditorium. The event is open to the public, and free parking is available in the Fetzer Center lot.

WMU new economic development park honored for cleanup, sustainable use of land

A recipient of the U.S. Green Building Council of West Michigan's (USGBC-WM) Innovative Project Award, Western was set to be honored during a ceremony at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 10, in Grand Rapids as one of the projects that "break the mold of standard building construction, design and operations," according to the regional chapter.

WMU offers workshop on leadership in a technical world

Western Michigan University will offer leadership training on April 1 and 2 from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. at WMU’s Grand Rapids locationRegistration is ongoing until March 30; the total fee is $400. The seminar is titled "Leadership in a Technical World" and is led by Dr. Timothy Greene, former provost and dean at WMU. 

Western community stands in support of Ukraine

Western Michigan University is standing in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and those impacted as Russian troops invade and launch attacks in the country. The Western Student Association, in partnership with the Haenicke Institute for Global Education, held a moment of silence at the Campus Flagpoles Tuesday to reflect on the crisis and show support for those impacted.