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From WMU Ambassador to Aviation Analyst – Karen Kropornicki Sets the Gold Standard

College of Aviation

… by Tom Thinnes on Approved for public release, 21-183 Who knows what is on a person's horizon?  What's important is to … Earth."  Need more background?  Its forerunner -- under another name -- first identified the Soviet Union's cache of … larger organizations outside of WMU," she says, "is a big bonus.  It's always an instant conversation-starter and …

https://wmich.edu/aviation/news/2021/03/kropornicki

The Bronco Advocate-in-Chief

W Magazine

… its “so that all may learn” mission and future. On July 1, 2025, Russ Kavalhuna returned to his alma mater as … we wanted a West Michigan person—an alum—who could take us not only to the next level, but to the next two levels … competitive pool of candidates from across the country. Now, nearly a year in—wow—he’s exceeded my expectations.” …

https://wmich.edu/magazine/news/2026/06/bronco-advocate-chief-russ-kavalhuna

Starting Gate business accelerator serves 100th student company

W Magazine

… Gate student business accelerator opened in summer 2013.  Now, the accelerator is on the cusp of its 10th anniversary … they navigated those challenges. Payton Walker operates a crypto mining service that is geared toward those with no … I had a rough idea of what I wanted to achieve with my crypto mining startup, but I wasn't quite sure how to get …

https://wmich.edu/news/2023/02/70888

Open educational resources grants awarded

University Libraries

… our Open Educational Resources (OER) Grants program. In 2025, we awarded 12 adoption grants to help instructors … Grant recipients Dr. Peter Gustafson, AE 4630 Dr. Pavel Ikonomov, EDMM 3540 Dr. Elizabeth Isidro, LS 6300 Dr. Cristina … Grant recipients Dr. Julie Apker, COM 4840 Marie Moreno, BCM 2400 Dr. Dee Sherwood, SWRK 2100 1. Savings …

https://wmich.edu/library/news/2026/02/impact-report-oer

Hints from Helmer – Charles Culminates Marine Tenure with Aviation Technical Operations Enrollment

College of Aviation

… students who share class time with Charles Helmer receive a bonus in their instructional knowledge and perspectives. So do the folks in the front of … is now known as the Battle Creek Executive Airport at Kellogg Field .     "This allows me to work full time while …

https://wmich.edu/aviation/news/2022/02/helmer

WMU board extends President Kavalhuna to 8 years, signaling enduring commitment

News

… of candidates. He has exceeded our expectations. There is no better indication of his leadership style than his … directly solve the problems business, government and nonprofits face in a changing world.” Kavalhuna sees an … $432 million 2026-27 operating budget, a 1.6% increase from 2025-26. The budget closes a $4.7 million budget gap by …

https://wmich.edu/news/news/2026/06/wmu-board-extends-president-kavalhuna-8-years-signaling-enduring-commitment

Western remembers VP Emeritus Robert Beam

W Magazine

… ’71, vice president emeritus for business and finance, died Nov. 7, 2025, in Kalamazoo. Beam managed the University’s financial … Under his direction, the facility underwent a major technological overhaul, including a complete transition to …

https://wmich.edu/magazine/news/2026/06/western-remembers-vp-emeritus-robert-beam

Souder Soars: How Aviation Tech Ops has Transformed Tom

College of Aviation

… "to lock myself in my room for hours" to get his brain and knowledge up to top speed.  Souder says it turned out to be … course papers and final exams were routine challenges, but not quite on the scale of making certain that an airliner is … I acquired in my aviation courses at WMU." Another bonus for Souder is living near where he works and operating …

https://wmich.edu/aviation/news/2019/11/souder

Bronco in the Sky: How WMU Took This Pilot from Jackson to Jet Set

College of Aviation

… Alumni Cole Dillon, current Captain at SkyWest Airlines Nothing like flying the friendly skies of the WMU College of … of more than 520 planes to 258 destinations throughout North America.   Dillon and fellow WMU Aviation Alumna, … allowed me to make new friends and industry connections.  A bonus was flying to those events."   Dillon during his WMU …

https://wmich.edu/aviation/news/2025/08/dillon

Rising from Republic Airways and Soaring with Spirit Airlines: Aaron Jones Climbs Higher

College of Aviation

… earned a degree in aviation flight science and a minor in geography , he took a position as a … with fatigue.   With degree in hand, Jones followed a suggestion from a faculty member to check out Republic, which … beating Central."  They were married  at the Soaring Eagle Casino in Mount Pleasant in 2018 and the family now includes …

https://wmich.edu/aviation/news/2023/09/ajones