Army officer Steve Balaze has found a perfect fit in the MBA program at Western Michigan University. Incorporating both local and global perspectives, his coursework has direct applications to his Army career and teaching position at WMU. 

Maddy Woods, senior sales and business marketing student, is embracing the dynamic nature of her chosen field. Her experience in Bronconess has given her the chance to showcase her sales skills and learn the intricacies of small business ownership so she can enter her career with confidence.

Alex Campbell conducted research on AI and machine learning as an undergraduate student that was accepted by the annual Americas Conference on Information Systems (AMCIS). The computer information systems and data science graduate completed an independent study with Dr. Carrie Song, associate professor of business information systems, who discovered their common interest in the topic and mentored him throughout his research.

At Western Michigan University, a new research group within the Mallinson Institute for Science Education is focused on equity and inclusion in STEM education. Led by Dr. Taormina (Tara) Lepore, the group is committed to supporting neurodivergent students and enhancing classroom practices to better serve a wide array of diverse learners. 

Experience-driven learning was on display at the 75th Senior Engineering Design Conference when December 2024 graduating seniors showcased their innovative projects that put their knowledge and skills into practice in real-world settings. 

The Haenicke Institute for Global Education’s Soga Japan Center will host a Japan Foundation Film Series next month. The series begins with a viewing of Samurai Cat on Tuesday, Dec. 3. A second screening, Bento Harassment, will be held on Thursday, Dec. 5.

As a principal scientist at Novartis, Dr. Alex Ferguson, B.S.E.’16, M.S.’17, uses mathematical models to make predictions about how drugs distribute in the body and how they can be effective in treating disease.

Since 2014, Operation Hat Trick has donated more than $5 million to fill critical gaps in care for military and veterans.

Register by Friday, Nov. 22, for the free 2024 Adult Literacy Research and Training Symposium, to be held from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 13, in the Fetzer Center 

For computer information systems (CIS) senior Ricardo Campos, succeeding as a student comes down to dedication and accountability. Originally from Tuscon, Arizona, the Western Michigan University Haworth College of Business student is using his experience from time in the United States Navy to navigate his undergraduate studies.

As the busy holiday season kicks off, WMU business professors provide their perspectives on what trends are influencing consumer behavior and impacting households.

 

Leading the industry, Western’s new drone program is expanding the wings of aviation students. Their new skills are dynamic, sometimes even being used for sport.

The Student Financial Aid department hosted a competitive, month-long food drive in October to assist the Essential Needs Food Pantry.

The Arnson Family has established a scholarship in honor of their mother, Frieda, to support a Muskegon County student.

From drafting thank-you notes to business pitches, generative AI can be used in a variety of ways to help complete tasks and better understand complex topics.

Like the speed of U.S. Olympian Sha’Carri Richardson, women’s sports are gaining unprecedented momentum. From the track to the beam to the field and the court, female athletes are settling in as household names and faces—and they’re not going anywhere.

Alum Trey Conner always has his head in the game, ready to support his Grand Rapids Gold players when they get their shot. The COO knows all about how one play can change it all.

Former Western trustee and entrepreneur, William F. Pickard, BS ‘64, passed away on June 12, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Western Michigan University recognizes alumni achievements and announcements submitted during fall 2024.

From graphic art on a computer screen to the painstaking art of hand-crafted books, Maddy Boguslawski and Grant Overbeek are filling the pages of their resume with chapters of experience.

The following are Western alumni and emeriti who passed away and were reported during fall 2024.

With record-breaking research investments and a focus on experiential learning, Western is poised to shape the future. Faculty and students are positioning themselves as leaders in critical areas like aerospace engineering, climate change, battery development, AI and more.

A team of researchers at Western Michigan University's College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, including graduate and undergraduate students, have developed a cost-effective, environmentally friendly and efficient method for treating water contaminated with toxic pollutants that can harm both humans and the environment.

Western Michigan University computer science alumnus, Gang Chen, M.S.’98, shares insight to his over 20 years of experience with artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and large language models (LLMs). After his time as a software design engineer and later a principal engineering manager at Microsoft, Chen now works as a senior manager in Amazon’s Artificial General Intelligence group managing several engineering teams.

Dr. Alvis Fong, professor of computer science at Western Michigan University and a leader in AI and ML research, covers a multitude of aspects of AI and ML in various technical publications. But leading technical research is just part of this expert’s research profile. He has an intense interest in teaching and learning research that revolves around combining technical education with skills students and workers need for effectively applying AI skills.