December 2024 WMU News

WMU professor elected senator of Phi Beta Kappa

Pablo Pastrana-Pérez, associate professor and chair of the Spanish Department at Western Michigan University, has been elected senator of Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious academic honor society. Phi Beta Kappa advocates for education in the liberal arts and sciences, fosters freedom of thought, and recognizes academic excellence.

Governor reappoints trustees Burris, Liggins to the WMU board

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer appointed trustees Kelly K. Burris, B.S.‘88, andJames L. Liggins Jr. to new eight-year terms.

Two longtime staff members retire from University Libraries

Dec. 17, 2024—After decades of service to the University Libraries, Vicki Carter, cataloging coordinator, and Terri Stowers, library acquisitions coordinator, will retire at the end of December.

Breaking it Down and Building it Up – Broderick Bebout Aims for A Career in Aviation Maintenance

One of the routine parental questions to a child in the early evening goes like this -- "What did you do in school today, Johnny?" No routine answer from Broderick Bebout -- "Oh, we built a plane." Not only does the sophomore in the College of Aviation's program in aviation technical operations bring the experience of constructing an aircraft in high school to his WMU career, but also along for the ride is being something of a poster child for the concept that a condition such as autism should not limit one's aspirations. 

WMU professor awarded prestigious Bellagio Residency: continues work on grief

WMU professor Dr. Ashley Atkins was recently awarded a prestigious Bellagio Residency to continue working on her book, which seeks to explore the complex, often isolating experience of grief.  

Sales students place first at National Sales Challenge

WMU sales students McKenna Farrell and Jack Tungate continued a winning competition season by taking first place at the National Sales Challenge. Their skills at speed selling and sales role-play wowed the judges and earned them individual and team wins in several categories.

Gaining his Western Wings and Finding His Way to FedEx, Jason Woo’s in Full Control of His Aviation Career

As a flight instructor in Korea, Jason Woo could have shared the skies with a plane bearing an insignia of a country that doesn't share his views and perspectives. The same could be said about him these days as part of his current duties piloting European routes for FedEx while based in Germany  As a global citizen whose flying knowledge and skills were fine-tuned at the WMU College of Aviation more than a decade ago, Woo is as prepared for such experiences as well as anybody these days. 

10 ways to use the Libraries in your course

Dec. 13, 2024—University Libraries has a variety of services, resources and tools that can help you prepare your courses for the next semester. Check out ten ways you can make use of what we offer.

Libraries awards nine Open Educational Resources Grants

Dec. 12, 2024—The University Libraries at Western Michigan University awarded Open Educational Resources (OER) grants to nine Western faculty and instructors in December.

Library systems upgrade scheduled on Dec. 17

Dec. 12, 2024—University Libraries is upgrading systems on Dec. 17, 2024, to improve access to databases on campus and anywhere in the world for Western users.

WMU food marketing program wins industry award

Progressive Grocer has named Western's food marketing program an Impact Award recipient for providing students industry experience and supporting environmental, social and governance (ESG) measures.

Ready for the spotlight: Theatre grad prepares to make the world his stage

Donovan Boursiquot Wade is ready for his close-up, graduating with degrees in acting and creative writing. With experience in multiple WMU Theatre productions and support from expert faculty, he's secured an agent and is ready to book him his first professional roles.

Computer engineering grad programmed a path to success at Western

Camryn Ruiz focused on getting hands-on experience through internships, class projects and participating in the Sunseeker Solar Car Project—and it's led to potential job opportunities in a number of industries.

WMU Board of Trustees to meet in formal session Thursday, Dec. 12

The meeting will be also be accessible by livestream.

WMU Aviation’s Jersey girl and recent grad: Jade Joseph

Jade Joseph began the process of "giving something back" to her university almost as soon as she arrived on the WMU campus in Kalamazoo. Now a recent graduate of the College of Aviation, she's living proof that an effective form of student recruitment is a welcoming, comprehensive presentation on the internet. That's how Joseph, a 2020 graduate of Liberty High School in Jersey City, N.J., found out about Western's aviation program, using the Covid pandemic and shutdown to take the time to do some higher-education research. 

Housing and Residence Life and Institutional Equity staff win GLASS award at Great Lakes Association of College & University Housing Officers conference

WMU housing and institutional equity staff presented their award-winning presentation on social mobility in residential communities at the annual GLACUHO conference in November.

NSF grant aimed at advancing construction education with generative AI and BIM

Imagine using generative AI and building information modeling to bring your classroom construction project to life. With support from an NSF grant and the determination of Dr. Hexu Liu, associate professor of Civil and Construction Engineering, students at Western Michigan University and across the United States may soon be doing just that

From mechanic to dietician, Air Force veteran focused on helping patients maintain healthy lifestyles

Derek Fischer graduates in fall 2024 with his master's degree in nutrition and dietetics and a full-time job as a dietician at Bronson Methodist Hospital.

Joey Pisano scrubs into sales: finds his passion in the medical device industry

Junior sales and business marketing student Joey Pisano has found both his professional passion and a place where he belongs during his time at WMU. Originally from Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, the Western Michigan University Haworth College of Business student has discovered he’s comfortable in a business suit or pair of scrubs as he explores a career in medical device sales. 

Invested in finance and fashion, business grad found wealth of opportunities at Western

Racheal Mmanga took advantage of opportunities to flex her finance skills in professional competitions and internships, preparing her for success as she embarks on a career in investment management.

International health care experiences put nursing grad on path to career success

Emily Bosak, who is graduating in fall 2024 with bachelor's degrees in both nursing and Spanish, had a number of opportunities at Western to gain experience in her field—through internships, research and international travel.

Plan ahead: Check winter recess 2024-25 hours for campus offices, facilities

Residence halls close Friday, Dec. 13, at 7 p.m. and reopen at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 4.  Spring semester begins at 8 a.m. Monday, Jan. 6, 2025.

Alyssa Krazel finds her fit in the accounting field

For senior Alyssa Krazel, to make the most out of her time at Western Michigan University is to make lifelong connections. Originally from Farmington Hills, Michigan, the accountancy student at the Haworth College of Business is sure to have a promising career by making the most of her involvements on campus and experiences in her field.

WMU celebrates fall 2024 graduates at Dec. 14 commencement

Graduates come from 36 countries, including the United States, and will participate in one of two ceremonies at Miller Auditorium.

Western Michigan University, MEDC announce major new state-of-the-art EV and semiconductor technical learning program expansions

A new $700,000 investment by the MEDC will help WMU develop a robust talent pipeline for Michigan's advanced manufacturing sector, ultimately aiming to fill the talent gap focused on semiconductors and electric vehicles.

WMU students demonstrate superior sales skills in competition

Western Michigan University students earned accolades at the Steel City Sales Challenge, a virtual competition with successive rounds, where several students were finalists and one claimed second place in the role-play competition.