Our board is currently composed by eight members appointed by the governor to eight-year terms, they are the governing body of Western Michigan University.
The Board of Trustees is the governing body of Western Michigan University. It derives its powers from the Constitution of the State of Michigan (1963, Article VIII, Sec. 6), Enrolled House Bill No. 54 (72nd Legislature, Second Extra Session of 1963), and Enrolled Senate Bill No. 30 (75th Legislature, 1969).
Jeffrey A. Rinvelt
Chair
WMU alumnus
Home: Ann Arbor, MI
Term: Dec. 31, 2022
James B. Bolger
Vice chair
WMU alumnus
Home: Whitehall, MI
Term: Dec. 31, 2020
David Behen
Home: Saline, MI
Term: Dec. 31, 2020
Lynn L. Chen-Zhang
WMU alumna
Home: Portage, MI
Term: Dec. 31, 2026
Shelly Edgerton
Home: Plainwell, MI
Term: Dec. 31, 2026
William D. Johnston
WMU alumnus
Home: Portage, MI
Term: Dec. 31, 2022
Ron Kitchens
Home: Kalamazoo, MI
Term: Dec. 31, 2024
Shani J. Penn
WMU alumna
Home: Detroit, MI
Term: Dec. 31, 2024
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Kahler B. Schuemann
Secretary to the board -
Jan J. Van Der Kley
Treasurer and assistant secretary -
Patti Van Walbeck
Assistant treasurer