Handing off the reins
This time of year, when new students are coming in, they really bring an energy that’s irreplaceable. Meeting them and getting to know them is the first step. But the next step is to get everyone moving in the right direction for our education mission and get that momentum toward the ultimate goal of graduation and a meaningful career. I’m just excited to support them.
Western wins!
National champions
There are no bad days—ever—in Kalamazoo!
For the second consecutive year, WMU Athletics finished at the top of the Mid-American Conference in the 2024-25 Learfield Directors’ Cup standings. The accomplishment capped an academic year that featured a school-record nine programs’ earning postseason appearances.
A year of distinction
Accumulating accolades
- WMU honored with Heterodox Academy’s 2025 Open Inquiry Award for Community Excellence
- Repeated recognition: WMU food marketing program wins industry award for second consecutive year
- Fort St. Joseph receives Governor’s Award for Historic Preservation
- Two WMU student jazz groups secure national outstanding performance awards
- WMU precision flight team takes flight with national top five finish, lifelong industry connections
Broncos charging ahead in the workforce, according to latest report
According to the most recent Career Outcomes Report, 95% of Western students who graduated between August 2023 and June 2024 and are working full time have a job related to their degree.
Experience-Driven Learning
Historic $100M fund launched by WMU faculty to pioneer place-based investment and Experience-Driven Learning
A recent collaboration between Sleeping Giant Capital, a private investment firm led by Western Michigan University management faculty members Dr. Doug Lepisto and Dr. Derrick McIver, and Western’s Haworth College of Business is creating mutual benefit. Sleeping Giant Capital announced its second fund with more than $100 million in commitment capital to acquire and grow West Michigan businesses. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and WMU President Russ Kavalhuna were on hand to celebrate the announcement at Portland Products on Sept. 23.
Redefining the campus experience
Monumental milestone
Student successes
Impactful research
Western achieved record levels of research awards and expenditures in 2024-25, with faculty and staff submitting competitive proposals to federal, state and private sponsors.
Noteworthy developments
WMU’s occupational therapy assistant program receives transformational gift from longtime pioneers in field
Drs. Fred Sammons and Barbara Rider have committed to a landmark legacy donation, which establishes a lasting endowment to support both the occupational therapy assistant program and its students.
Making his mark
In the news
Students with WMU Cold Case Program help crack 1989 murder
New bus connects WMU students with downtown Kalamazoo
- Inside the all-important presidential transition (The Chronicle of Higher Education)
- Space Force looks to WMU for help on propulsion tech (WOOD TV)
- Ready for takeoff: How Western Michigan University trains the next generation of pilots (Detroit Free Press)
- New WMU school psychologist program could increase number of graduates by as much as 50% (FOX 17)
- WMU Biosciences Center earns funds through new state program (WWMT)
- Sen. Gary Peters visits with President Russ Kavalhuna at the College of Aviation (WOOD TV)
An investment worth making
President Kavalhuna heads to Detroit to explain how Western sets students up for successful careers and lives through Experience-Driven Learning.
