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When language becomes liberation: WMU alumnus explores the power of English

College of Education and Human Development

… 2026), he argues that learning English serves as a pathway to dignity, leadership and opportunity for millions of … he moved to an all-girls inner-city school where English was taught one hour a day by non-English-speaking … one path,’” Hasan says. “So lack of English is this huge wall around them, which unless they can break through, they …

https://wmich.edu/education/news/2026/08/wmu-alumnus-aamir-hasan-english-liberation-book

Student finalists for $100K Cultivate 269 pitch competition announced

News

… into reality. The finalists for Kalamazoo Forward Ventures’ inaugural Cultivate 269 pitch competition … will get six minutes to convince the audience and a panel of judges to bet big on their budding business.   … the inaugural Cultivate 269 has been extraordinary,” says Dwayne Powell Jr. , chief operating officer and main street …

https://wmich.edu/news/news/2026/03/cultivate-269-finalists

Wings of Resolve: The Air Force Journey of WMU Aviation Bronco Tracy Smiedendorf

College of Aviation

… University College of Aviation with a degree in what was then known as flight technology:   On "9-11" he was in the Pentagon when the hijacked airliner slammed into … overseas deployments to Japan, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar.  More often than not, he was in command of …

https://wmich.edu/aviation/news/2025/09/smiedendorf

Aviation Management and Operations Alumnus Mitchell Carr Cruising in His Career

College of Aviation

… Cruising in His Career Submitted by Tom Thinnes on "If you want to do something in life," says Carr, "go for it … biggest critics, who will make you double-think or don't want you to move up in life, can be family or friends.  I … done everything you can, but you just keep hitting brick walls."    It might not have been the philosophy of Jim …

https://wmich.edu/aviation/news/2022/01/carr

No Aviation Legacy, No Problem: Joe Zynda’s WMU Journey to Envoy Air and Beyond

College of Aviation

… College of Aviation is a firm advocate of the paying-it-forward philosophy because of how he was treated during his higher-education years that began in … as they advance in their aviation careers. "Instructing is molding the next wave of pilots," he says, "who then pass …

https://wmich.edu/aviation/news/2026/07/zynda

In Memoriam, summer 2026

W Magazine

… BS ’51, Nov. 29, 2025, Grand Rapids, MI Ona Eileene (Pappe) Wall , BA ’52, MA ’64, Dec. 7, 2025, Grandville, MI Muriel … Robins , BA ’54, Nov. 24, 2025, Livonia, MI Willard Howard Mejeur , BS ’54, Dec. 10, 2025, Cadillac, MI Thomas …

https://wmich.edu/magazine/news/2026/06/memoriam-summer-2026

Western welcomes high schoolers for ALSAME college access event

News

… and career readiness.   The conference featured workshops, panel discussions and a college fair to help students … , and prepare for the transition to higher education.   “It was an honor to be selected as the site for this year’s … their college decision process,” says Dr. Alicia Kornowa , WMU director of admissions. “So often, students and …

https://wmich.edu/news/news/2026/05/western-hosts-2026-alsame-youth-conference

Friday Feature: Dr. Gail Rouscher

College of Aviation

… aviation students. Dr. Rouscher’s first jump into aviation was as a member of the U.S. Navy. She was an aircraft engine mechanic, stationed in Rota, Spain … worked as a contractor for American International Airways. She worked with DC8's, L1011's mostly and performed …

https://wmich.edu/aviation/news/2018/02/rouscher

Asian Forum 2026 examines East Asian perspectives on aging, honors the late Dr. Timothy Light

Haenicke Institute for Global Education

… Center for Chinese Studies, adds Zeng.   Light, who passed away in December 2025, was a distinguished sinologi st and philanthropist who … link .   May 2, Saturday Events   10:00 a.m. to Noon - Panel I: "Aging and Governance: Policy, Community and Care" …

https://wmich.edu/global/news/2026/04/asian-forum-2026

Lessons That Don’t Appear on a Checkride: Nick Garrod reflects on flying, learning, and what really matters after 20 years in aviation

College of Aviation

… in southwest Michigan, Garrod said his job "has me home way more than I'm away, and my salary pays the bills, with some money left …   "But as I got older," he says, "I never considered that was something I could do, so I pursued other interests."  …

https://wmich.edu/aviation/news/2026/01/garrod