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
Princeton Review names WMU a ‘best business school’ for an MBA
Western Michigan University's Haworth College of Business is once again on Princeton Review's list of best business schools. WMU Haworth has consistently appeared on the Princeton Review’s list of best business schools for more than a decade.
Walker Institute facilitates community book read, discussions about ending gun violence
Groups led by community leaders will read the book "Bleeding Out: The Devastating Consequences of Urban Violence—And a Bold New plan for Peace in the Streets" by Thomas Abt.
Western's Cold Case Program helps police net arrest in decades-old murder
Just shy of 35 years after a woman was found murdered in her home in Niles, Michigan, police arrest a suspect. It's a case students in Western Michigan University's Cold Case Program helped breathe new life into after decades of dead ends.
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.
'Sweet Magnolias' star shares how she planted seeds of success at Western
Brooke Elliott continues to take on new challenges in front of and behind the camera. The 1998 alumna is looking back at where it all begin, sharing how Western helped launch her career.
New student center highlights diversity and inclusion
The new student center will include space that is centered on student inclusion and engagement, featuring a Mosaic Affinity Space as well as a "voices wall."
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 location. Registration 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.
Broncos enjoy spring recess, some campus services on reduced hours
Some campus services at Western Michigan University will be on reduced hours during spring recess, which begins Monday, March 7, and continues through Friday, March 11.
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.
Engineering team finds success at regional castings competition
A WMU team earned second place and the Judge's Most Innovative Process award at the 2022 American Foundry Society Wisconsin Regional Conference. The team earned $2,600 for the WMU student chapter of the American Foundry Society.
Student-led summit to explore climate change justice
The second annual WMU Student Sustainability Summit will provide an opportunity for students across Western Michigan University to share specific concerns on the broad theme of climate change justice. The hybrid in-person and virtual summit, planned for Friday, March 4, from noon to 3 p.m., is supported by the Western Student Association, the Graduate Student Association, the Office for Sustainability, the Climate Change Working Group, the 2020 Medallion Scholars and the Strategic Planning Sustainability Working Group.
Mentorship, experiential learning help students thrive at Western, land jobs post-graduation
The future looks bright for Western Michigan University students. A recent report shows 93% of alumni who graduated between August 2020 and June 2021 have jobs or are continuing their education. And of those employed full time, 88% are in jobs they love related to their degree.
Student research presentations
Farhang Motallebi, a Ph.D. student in mechanical engineering, and Johan Fanas, a Ph.D. student in mechanical engineering will share details about their research.
Alumna preserving the past while creating her own legacy
As a journalist, author and mentor, Sonya Bernard-Hollins has chronicled and channeled the spirit of trailblazer Dr. Merze Tate while becoming a role model for youth in her own right.
Bronco in the Big Apple: Marketing student sees dreams come true at New York Fashion Week
Western, through a partnership with its exclusive trademark licensing agency, CLC, and fashion leader IMG, delivered a one-of-a-kind educational experience for Samantha Morehead at UofNYFW. This unique academic enrichment program provides future fashion leaders a behind-the-scenes look at the industry, including entry into select runway shows, panel discussions and networking opportunities with industry leaders.
Gov. Whitmer appoints Jon Hoadley to WMU Board of Trustees
On Friday, Feb. 18, 2022, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer appointed Kalamazoo resident and former Michigan representative Jon Hoadley to fill a vacant seat on the Western Michigan University Board of Trustees. Hoadley will fill out the remainder of Ron Kitchens' term, which expires on Dec. 31, 2024.
WMU master's degree in finance expected in fall 2022
Western Michigan University has developed a Master of Science in Finance degree, which is expected to begin in fall 2022. The program will prepare graduates for roles in finance, asset management, investment banking and computational finance.
Communication professor's immersive exhibit in media and news literacy will debut at Kalamazoo Valley Museum
A new exhibit at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum puts perceptions of the media in the limelight. Created by Professor Sue Ellen Christian, the exhibit called “Wonder Media: Ask the Questions!” invites people to critically evaluate media, and to develop skills to identify misleading and unverified news and information.
‘Their energy is very powerful’: Guest artist choreographs special performance for Western’s Winter Gala Dance Concert
"Woman," choreographed by National Choreography Competition winner Tsai Hsi Hung, will be the culminating performance of the Winter Gala Dance Concert, which also showcases works by guest artists Penny Saunders and Marisa Bianan as well as faculty and students. There are four performances scheduled from Friday, Feb. 18, through Sunday, Feb. 20, in Western's Shaw Theatre.
Network neuroscience: Alumnus finds career at the intersection of data science and the brain
As medical breakthroughs continue to improve the human condition, data scientists in the specialized field of network neuroscience are striving to isolate even more information and close the gap between their discoveries and clinical applications in an effort to advance diagnoses and personalized treatments. Among those elite researchers is WMU engineering alumnus Duy Duong-Tran, who moved into the academic-research field after a pivotal conversation with College of Engineering and Applied Sciences Dean Steve Butt.
Western launches food marketing focus within MBA program
Western Michigan University’s food and consumer package goods marketing program is planning to offer new coursework as part of the WMU MBA. Flexible course formats will enable professionals to maintain progress on their food marketing-focused MBA from anywhere in the world.
‘Pay it forward’: Alumnus mentors others to plan for future, helps revitalize local community
Alumnus and entrepreneur Jamauri Bogan makes time to mentor young people about financial literacy.
Development leader to discuss perseverance, success in bringing Costco to Kalamazoo
Custer Speaker Series is hosting a special presentation about perseverance, leadership and success with Greg Dobson, chief operating officer and principal at AVB Inc., a regional leading development company. Students, faculty professionals and community members will learn what it takes to address the challenges in making a project come to life in any professional role or industry. The talk is titled "Bringing Costco to Kalamazoo: AVB’s Perseverance and Success."
New Empowering Futures Community promotes exploration, campus engagement at Western
Supported by the $550 million Empowering Futures Gift, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Housing and Residence Life and Merze Tate College have collaborated to develop the Empowering Futures Living Learning Community, which will provide a space for recipients of the Empowering Futures Housing Scholarship to find belonging, explore their personal and academic interests, and engage with campus programs and resources.
Pipeline program expanded to increase health care workforce diversity
A program aimed at improving primary care and increasing diversity in health care professions is expanding. Building on the success of its inaugural year in 2021, the West Michigan Health Careers Pipeline Program will double its capacity, introducing dozens of West Michigan high school students from underrepresented and minority populations to a variety of careers in health care fields.
From Hollywood to the metaverse, WMU expert reveals how advertisers will try to score big during Super Bowl
Commercials have become as big a draw to the Super Bowl as the competition on the field and advertisers are going all in to score points with consumers this year. Prices for those ads are higher than they've ever been. Greg Gerfen has the play-by-play on four major trends you can expect when you saddle up to the TV for the Big Game.
Solution Squad helps students solve problems, connect with resources to build success
The Solution Squad, once a pandemic help desk of sorts, has evolved to better serve students, taking a more proactive approach to identify those who are struggling and help them get back on track to achieving their goals.
Duo leading new venture and supporting students along the way
Supporting students. Launching a company. Lifelong friends. Engineering alumni Mike Bevins and Dennis McKenzie's divergent paths crossed over the years until they were tapped to help launch Tight Line Composites in 2012, leading teams in the relatively new field of carbon fiber pultrusion