A full 91 percent of WMU grads find success within three months
The data is based on responses from WMU's annual Postgraduation Success Survey, in which a record 77 percent of WMU's 5,205 2016-17 graduates responded.
Top News of 2018
University to honor its top four staffers for 2017-18
Representing the best of the best staff members, this award will be presented to Katie DeCamp, Susan Kramer, Jeff Stone and Connie Volenski.
World-renowned economist to receive distinguished scholar award
The 2017-18 award goes to Dr. Susan Pozo. It is the highest annual honor WMU bestows on faculty members.
Literacy education expert to receive Emerging Scholar Award
The 2017-18 award goes to Dr. Maria Selena O. Protacio. It acknowledges the accomplishments of WMU faculty members who are among the rising stars in U.S. higher education.
Two will receive WMU's Distinguished Service Award
As recipients of the Distinguished Service Award, Dr. Stephen Covell and Peter Thannhauser join 63 faculty and staff members who have received the accolade since it was established in 1980.
Three professors to be honored with Distinguished Teaching Awards
The annual event includes a State of the University address by WMU President Edward Montgomery.
WMU goes all in to promote student success
Some 4,700 incoming freshman and transfer students are part of a sweeping new program that immediately connects them to campus and orients them to college life and WMU.
WMU to host 10th International Conference on African Development
The conference will bring scholars and policymakers from around the globe to campus Aug. 17-18 to present their research and solutions related to sustainable development for African nations.
Gymnastics posts second highest GPA in the nation
The second-place finish ties the 2013 season for highest mark in program history when the Broncos posted a 3.8086 GPA.
University partners with city to promote 'shared prosperity' for residents
The memorandum of understanding for the Shared Prosperity Kalamazoo designates WMU's Lewis Walker Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnic Relations as primarily responsible for coordinating the University's involvement in new Kalamazoo city initiative to reduce poverty and promote more broadly shared prosperity in the city.
Student organization honored for volunteer service
WMU's Black Student Union was honored with the 2018 Champ Award at the 11th annual Champs Celebration for mentoring students in Kalamazoo Public Schools.
WMU appoints new VP for diversity and inclusion
Following a nationwide search, WMU has named Dr. Candy McCorkle as its next vice president for diversity and inclusion, effective Aug. 1.
Multimillion-dollar research center addresses construction challenges
Researchers in the Georgeau Construction Research Center are studying how to build better in an age of climate change and other global challenges facing the construction industry.
Aviation partners with Delta to boost airline's pilot ranks
WMU College of Aviation students who are accepted into the program will be put on an accelerated path to becoming a Delta pilot; the airline will begin accepting student applications in August.
Fulbright specialist envisions more conflict as Arctic ice melts
WMU's Fritz Allhoff spent last month at the University of Iceland working on cybersecurity and critical infrastructure issues, including co-organizing an international workshop on emerging arctic conflicts.
Incoming students win $60,000 Medallion Scholarships
High school seniors competed for the Medallion Scholarships, the highest merit-based award WMU can bestow on an incoming freshman. All 32 runners-up were offered a $25,000 scholarship.
ISM program among top 10 in the nation
The Gartner's ranking serves to solidify the strength of WMU's integrated supply management program, which was one of only three to be ranked in all three evaluation categories.
Women's aviation team places first among collegiate competitors
Pilot Lauren Quandt, of Grosse Ile; co-pilot Shelby Satkowiak, of Mio; and teammate Kelly Erdmann, of Southfield, captured fifth place overall in the women-only Air Race Classic cross-country flying event.
WMU confers nearly 1,300 degrees during summer commencement
WMU granted nearly 1,300 degrees during two commencement ceremonies June 23. Among the students who graduated were 32 military veterans as well as international students from 31 countries.
Student awarded Critical Language Scholarship to study in Japan
Graduate student Joshua White received a full scholarship to become part of the U.S. government effort to expand the number of Americans studying and mastering critical foreign languages.
Undergraduate selected to receive prestigious Boren Scholarship
Senior Caitlin Wiley will study Portuguese in Brazil this coming academic year after receiving a Boren Scholarship to focus on a geographic area, language or field of study deemed critical to U.S. national security.
Student group recognized by world's largest HR association
WMU's chapter of the Society for Excellence in Human Resources has been awarded the Society for Human Resource Management's Superior Merit Award for being one of the nation's most active and highest achieving student chapters.
Alumna uses equine therapy to help patients overcome physical and emotional barriers
Courtney Sumpter, a WMU-trained occupational therapist, established Northern Michigan Equine Therapy to help people overcome physical and emotional barriers impeding their day-to-day activities.
Staff member named Michigan's student-employee supervisor of the year
A Midwest professional association has chosen Alexia Alexander as Michigan's top supervisor of students for 2018. Alexander was named WMU's student employment supervisor of the year in February.
Arcadia awards WMU-KVCC sustainable brewing scholarship
Ellie Maddelein is the first to receive the award, which was established by Arcadia, a leader in the West Michigan craft beer community, to further enhance career and learning opportunities for women in brewing.
Valley Dining Center achieves LEED Gold certification
WMU's Valley Dining Center Gold certification in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design is the second highest award of four levels of LEED certification.
WMU becomes part of national student mental health effort
As part of its Success at WMU initiative, the University has completed initial membership steps to become a JED Campus, putting a greater campuswide focus on student well-being and mental health.
WMU grad and instructor is named state's top teacher
The 2018-19 Michigan Teacher of the Year is Laura Chang, an elementary school teacher in Vicksburg and a part-time instructor of special education and literacy studies at WMU.
WMU engineer receives ADVANCE proof of concept grant
Dr. Daniel Kujawski is using the state grant to push toward commercialization a project of his that improves prediction of the fatigue properties of materials.
Executive board room at medical campus named in honor of Dunns
The third-floor conference room at WMed's W.E. Upjohn M.D. Campus will now be known as the Dr. John M. and Linda T. Dunn Executive Board Room.
Jazz students continue winning streak in DownBeat competition
In what is regarded as the most comprehensive competition for collegiate jazz programs, WMU students earned two awards, placing among the top 10 finishers in the international music competition.
Sales program again nationally recognized for excellence
One hundred percent of WMU sales and business marketing grads find full-time careers or are continuing their education within three months of graduation; 98 percent of them are in a job that relates to their degree.
WMU's Seita foster youth effort garners national acclaim
The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi—the nation's oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines—has awarded WMU with its Excellence in Innovation Award for expanding higher education opportunities through the Seita Scholars Program.
Arts and sciences communications recognized at annual awards event
The annual PRoof Awards recognize practitioners who successfully use skill, creativity and resourcefulness to address communication challenges.
WMU alumni entrepreneurs reveal how they built their businesses
In the W Magazine's Bronco entrepreneurs edition, several alumni reveal how they started businesses and made key pivots to keep them thriving.
Student awarded prestigious study abroad scholarship
Alexis Lenderman, an entrepreneurship and global and international studies major from Flint, is among just 1,000 undergraduate students nationwide to earn a Gilman International Scholarship to intern or study abroad.
Students honored for entrepreneurial innovation
Two WMU student entrepreneurs, Avery Green and Desi Taylor, were recognized for their original business ideas while participating in Starting Gate, the student business accelerator.
WMU and KCC announce major transfer agreement
Agreement will create a smoother process for Kellogg Community College graduates who transfer to Western Michigan University.
Advertising students take second place in national competition
WMU presenters were Kiana Bailey, who won the competition's Best Presenter Award, Sara Buckle, Alex Gutierrez-Spencer and David Hughey. The presenters were part of a 29-member student team.
Accountancy students take first place at regional competition
Tim Belcher, Roberto Ramon-Flores, Shao Qin Ga and Kaitlyn Watkins took first place at the Beta Alpha Psi Midwest Regional Meeting Best Practices competition.
Business students recognized for academic excellence and leadership
WMU’s Haworth College of Business recognized 25 students as part of the fourth annual Trailblazer Student Recognition program, including senior MacKenzie King, who was named Trailblazer of the Year.
Arbor Day event to mark 10th Tree Campus USA anniversary
At the April 27 event, learn more about WMU's investment in trees, and help plant a conifer honoring the University's new president and first lady.
Travel agency with a twist wins WMU's business pitch contest
Spanish major Desi Taylor took first place for her pitch about a company that puts a creative spin on traditional travel with trips that are 100 percent customized for the client.
Bronco mascot rider nets her own equestrian 'triumph'
Emily Stewart, a WMU junior majoring in social work, has qualified to compete in May at the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association's national championships.
Commission OKs more WMU offerings in Florida
WMU will add seven new degree and certificate programs in a range of disciplines for students studying at its Punta Gorda, Florida, regional location.
Six to be feted as top staffers for spring 2018
Laura Cornish, Katie DeCamp, Brenda Hamlyn, Bette Ludwig, Jeff Stone and Janice VandeVusse will be recognized during a reception at 2 p.m. Monday, April 16, in 157 Bernhard Center.
Veteran educator, prolific researcher named ACE Fellow
Dr. Andrea Beach joins just 44 other educators who will spend 2018-19 working at another institution through the prestigious American Council on Education Fellows Program, which helps develop senior leaders in higher education.
WMU group helps rural Alaskans do their taxes
Dr. Fritz Allhoff and four WMU students traveled by plane and snowmobile to prepare 300 tax returns for local residents.
Stanford design school names four WMU students innovation fellows
Andy Sylvain Hobelsberger, Megan Nicole Miller, Saleh A. Mohamed and Daniel Paul Mozel have been named University Innovation Fellows by Stanford University's Hasso Plattner Institute of Design.
Top seniors to be honored as 2018 Presidential Scholars
Fifty students out of a senior class of more than 5,400 students will be recognized during the 38th annual Presidential Scholars Convocation Tuesday, March 27.
WMed's inaugural class celebrates big day, prepares for next step in residency training
Every student in the WMU Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine's inaugural class matched to a residency slot as part of a nationwide process that is increasingly competitive.
WMU, community groups developing plan for local waterways
WMU is working with several community organizations to develop a plan for reducing pollution and protecting and improving water quality for Portage and Arcadia Creek watersheds.
WMU celebrates 20 years as home to a Phi Beta Kappa chapter
An early April induction of up to 81 top juniors and seniors will mark the 20th anniversary of WMU's chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the oldest and most prestigious honors organization in the nation.
WMU sales students win team gold and individual honors
First-year student Ryan Demas and junior Stacy Zoeller represented WMU in the University of Toledo Invitational Sales Competition, coached by senior Marissa Bruno and Associate Professor of Marketing Dr. Kelley O'Reilly.
Free campus workshops offered on virtual reality
Open to the entire campus community and surrounding area, workshops will be held in the lower level of Waldo Library. No registration is needed.
WIDR celebrates success at intercollegiate broadcasting conference
WMU's student-run noncommercial radio station, WIDR 89.1 FM, won an award for best underwriting spot at the 78th annual Intercollegiate Broadcasting System conference.
WMUK honored for broadcasting excellence at statewide event
Public Radio station WMUK 102.1 FM was recognized for broadcasting excellence, receiving three awards in this category from the Michigan Association of Broadcasters at the Great Lakes Media Show.
Business college receives naming gift for sales, negotiation and leadership lab
Alumnus Robert Kaiser, owner and chief executive officer of Gallagher-Kaiser Corporation, has given a generous naming gift to fund the renovation and expansion of the sales lab in the Haworth College of Business.
WMU public safety named No. 3 in nation for safety initiatives
WMU's Department of Public Safety has been recognized as the No. 3 university police force in the nation for its campus safety initiatives.
Student earns awards from national, state recreational sports groups
Master's candidate Justine Morneau, a graduate assistant for facilities in University Recreation, earned a 2017 collegiate recreation honor at the state level and will receive a similar honor at the national level.
WMU medical school granted full accreditation
In the final step of a journey that began some seven years ago, the WMU Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine has been granted full accreditation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education.
Dance emerita honored for advocacy
Wendy Cornish, WMU professor emerita of dance, is the recipient of this year's Partners in Dance Community Dance Advocacy Award.
Kohrman Hall being renovated to house product design facilities
Construction activities began in December that will allow the recently created product design program to move into renovated spaces in Central Kohrman Hall by fall 2018.
Western Herald editor wins prestigious national journalism fellowship
Elissa C. Kedziorek, editor-in-chief of WMU's student newspaper, the Western Herald, will head to Washington, D.C., in mid-March as the 2018 Michigan Fellow for the National Newspaper Association's News Fellows Program.
WMU's Heritage Hall renovation earns prestigious global engineering award
For their work in renovating Heritage Hall, WMU alumni Jonathan Rumohr and Jesse Hendershot have received the ASHRAE 2018 Award of Engineering Excellence, an honor bestowed upon international building projects only five times over the past 30 years.
OT, social work faculty earn $1.8 million behavioral health grant
A majority of the funding will support $10,000 stipends for 28 students each year, allowing the students to focus on their research and make the most of their final-year clinical experiences.
Special education major earns outstanding student award
Megan Foreman, a senior from Plymouth, is the one "extraordinary undergraduate student" to receive this year's Dr. Charles Van Riper Outstanding College Student Award.
National organization recognizes WMU advertising and promotion students
Abrahan Garcia, of Holland, and Alex Gutierrez-Spencer, of Monroe, are two of only 50 college seniors chosen to participate in the American Advertising Federation's Most Promising Multicultural Students Program for 2018.
Professor transforming aviation education using augmented reality
As a result of Lori Brown's work with Microsoft HoloLens, WMU has become the first aviation program in the nation to use augmented reality in the classroom.
WMU Department of Statistics becomes NISS affiliate
The program brings together statistical and data science professionals from all sectors, including academia, industry, and governmental and national labs, to support research, networking and more.
WMU trustees approve naming BTR road for the late Robert Jones
Robert Jones Way will be the name of the loop road scheduled to be developed as part of the BTR Park 2.0. The new 55-acre development is adjacent to the original BTR Park near the intersection of Drake Road and Parkview Avenue.
WMU's family engagement office marks 10 years of success
While the student is the focal point in the high school-to-college transition, the transition has a familywide ripple effect, a fact that is recognized and valued at WMU.
Bronco basketball legend Manny Newsome to be honored Saturday
Newsome's No. 5 Jersey will be formally retired during a special halftime ceremony at the 2 p.m. game Jan. 27. Community members are also invited to a pregame indoor tailgate.
Men's soccer Broncos Bye and Shepherd selected in MLS draft
Bye, midfielder, went as the No. 8 overall pick to the New England Revolution. Shepherd, goalkeeper, was selected No. 46 overall by the Toronto FC.
Business college receives naming gift for financial wellness center
WMU's Haworth College of Business has received a major naming gift from alumnus Todd Sanford, CEO and founder of Sanford Financial Services. The gift establishes a new center focusing on personal finance.
Montgomery IDs and funds ideas to transform student life at WMU
After a campuswide call for ideas that transform the way WMU serves its students, two new initiatives have been announced and funded to build a stronger sense of belonging and community among all students.