April 2022 WMU News

Student marketing association recognized for exceptional planning and communications efforts

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

Faucet attachment cuts down on grease and the competition at Bronco Pitch

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.  

Western helped illuminate career passion, empowered psychology grad to embrace identity

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.

WMU recognized again as a top university for sales education

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 receives award for support of students with disabilities

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.

Engineering alumnus produces ethically sourced chocolate

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.

Theatre graduate ready for next act, bolstered by support and mentorship

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.

WMU supply chain program names new director

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.

Western is just right for this chemical engineer

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.

Social work grad empowered to uplift migrant and Latinx communities

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.

Foundation Scholar driven to care for communities in need

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.

Embry-Riddle research leader, cybersecurity expert to become WMU's next research VP

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

Western announces 2022 class of Presidential Innovation Professors

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.

Juggling knives, flying and a busy academic schedule, aviation grad has big things on horizon

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.

Kalamazoo Promise comes full circle as Western education grad prepares for KPS career

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 to confer more than 2,300 degrees during commencement ceremonies April 30

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.

Zhang Career Center speakers address gender in the workplace

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.

Computer science grad finds key to career success at Western

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.

Labor contract on WMU trustees' meeting agenda Thursday

Individuals wishing to address the board during either public comment sections of the meeting must notify Dr. Kahler Schuemann by 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 20.

Western Army ROTC cadet top in state, ranked 8th nationally

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.

Giving Day 2022 most successful in University history

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.

Western marks Arbor Day with tree-planting, Tree Campus Higher Education designation

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.

MODA Motown fashion show drives donations to breast cancer charity

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. 

Business fraternity advisor recognized as Advisor of the Year

Dr. Timothy Palmer, professor of management and director of the Center for Sustainable Business Practices, has been recognized by the Delta Sigma Pi fraternity as Advisor of the Year for the Huron region.

Health and Human Services' DEI office looks forward at end of successful year

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.

Innovation at Western celebrated at Spring Convocation

The event, which is fully virtual, begins at 9 a.m. with a Fulbright workshop. Presentations on award-winning faculty research follow at 10 a.m. before a virtual Faculty Research and Creative Activities Award poster presentation session at 10:45 a.m. There will be an awards ceremony at noon.

Western hosts national college dodgeball tournament

Western Michigan University hosts the National Collegiate Dodgeball Association Nationals Saturday and Sunday, April 9-10, at the Student Recreation Center on campus.

WMU sales students claim first place in the Desert Cup

A team of four students from Western's Haworth College of Business claimed first place in the Desert Cup at Arizona State University’s Collegiate Sales Competition.

Western celebrates impact of student employees on campus

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.

Ph.D. student earns teaching effectiveness award

Mechanical engineering Ph.D candidate Hassan Shirzadi Jahromi recent received the All-University Graduate Teaching Effectiveness Award as the result of his dedication to WMU engineering students and the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences' commitment to an experiential approach in education. This researcher and educator impresses not only the faculty of the college but also the mechanical and aerospace engineering students his teaches.