April 2022 WMU News

The WMU collegiate chapter of the AMA won several awards this year, completing its academic year on a high note.

WMU students pitched their innovative business ideas for the opportunity to win $5,000 in prizes at the Bronco Pitch Competition, which was held in person at the Haworth College of Business.  

Hawke Osterhout will graduate with a bachelor's degree in psychology with plans to pursue and master's degree and ultimately become a mental health counselor specializing in integrative holistic care.

The Western Michigan University sales and business marketing program has once again been recognized by the Sales Education Foundation as a top sales program.

Engineering professor Dr. Bob White has received the 2022 Faculty Advocate Award for support of students with disabilities at Western Michigan University through a partnership with the Disability Services for Students office at Western.

Craving chocolate? Alumnus Connor Tierney produces single origin and ethically sourced chocolate through his company Chocolate Thunder, which he runs during his off hours  as a full time project engineer with Landscape Forms. "There are 168 hours in a week and my day job is only 40 of those hours," says Tierney.

Elizabeth "E.J." Taylor will graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in theatre focused on acting and a minor in communication. At Western, she found a way to connect her passion with purpose, empowered to use her talents to better the campus community.

Dr. Marcel Zondag, associate professor of marketing and director of the Food Industry Research and Education Center (FIRE) at Western Michigan University, has been named director of the integrated supply management (ISM) program at the Haworth College of Business.

The large number of opportunities—student organizations, career fairs, research for undergraduates—are part of what drew Emily Principe to Western's engineering program. And it's been a perfect fit since she transferred from Macomb Community College.

From shy, quiet kid to confident leader, Jessica Cortes has blossomed at Western Michigan University. She will graduate with a bachelor's degree in social work and is continuing her education in the accelerated social work master's degree program with dreams of one day working in a school system.

Just seven years ago, Aunner Calderón didn't speak a word of English. Now he is graduating with honors from Western Michigan University—a full year ahead of schedule—with a degree in biomedical sciences and a world of possibility in front of him.

The Board of Trustees is expected to consider the appointment at its June meeting.

Dr. Martha Councell-Vargas, associate professor of music; Dr. Tianshu Liu, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering; and Dr. Alisa Perkins, associate professor of comparative religion and an affiliate scholar with the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding, have been awarded three-year Presidential Innovation Professorships for their advanced and creative studies.

Kyle Albrecht, who will graduate from Western with a bachelor's degree in aviation flight science, is ready for his career to take off with the Delta Propel program.

Hailey Timmerman will graduate with a bachelor's degree in early childhood education and a job teaching second grade at Washington Writers' Academy in Kalamazoo this summer.

Western Michigan University will grant 1,868 degrees at the bachelor's level, 422 at the master's level and 31 at the doctoral level as well as one specialist degree to students during in-person and virtual commencement ceremonies Saturday, April 30.

The Haworth College of Business’s Zhang Career Center recently hosted a Student Professional Readiness Series (SPuRS) event covering a timely topic: gender in the workplace.

Mey Wong's successful internship with Kellogg's landed her an early job offer as an associate engineer in the company's information technology department.

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, April 20.

Senior Grace VanArendonkis, the recipient of the 2022 Army Officer’s Saber from the Arsenal of Democracy Chapter of the Association of the United States Army, has been ranked eighth nationally among all cadets in the Active Duty Nurse Corps.

More than 3,400 Broncos from all 50 states and around the world made gifts totaling nearly $3.2 million for Western's fifth and most successful Giving Day.

Celebrate Arbor Day and Western Michigan University's commitment to effective campus forest management with a tree-planting at 11 a.m. Friday, April 29.

Student clothing designers and fashion aficionados revved up their creative skills for a cause. MODA raised $2,000 for the Ford Warriors in Pink initiative with its Motown Fashion Show at the Gilmore Car Museum, supported by Seelye Ford. A recent alumna helped secure donations of hundreds of bandanas left over from fundraising campaigns for breast cancer patients. Several student designers then used those bandanas to construct their garments for the show. 

In addition to its biennial DEI conference and Burian Lecture, the CHHS Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion has accomplished much in a very busy year, including hosting many virtual workshops, developing a code of ethics for the college and identifying and displaying DEI-related data for the college.

Whether offering a friendly face and information to prospective students, leading complex research projects or washing dishes in the dining hall, Western Michigan University's student employees provide essential services to keep the institution running—and they build professional skills while doing it. The University will celebrate their contributions during National Student Employee Week, April 10-16.