WMU News

Two named to leadership posts in admissions and orientation

April 1, 1999

KALAMAZOO -- The Office of Admissions and Orientation at Western Michigan University has announced the appointments of Donna L. StJohn as associate director and Christopher W. Tremblay as coordinator of orientation.

StJohn had been coordinator of orientation since 1992. She replaces Diane M. Ariza, who is now director of admissions at Oakland University near Detroit. Tremblay, who replaces StJohn, had been assistant director of admissions since 1995.

As associate director of the Office of Admissions and Orientation, StJohn manages recruitment planning and publications at WMU.

Her duties include supervising 10 professional staff members; developing strategies for presenting programs and services to Michigan's prospective students, their parents and key high school and community college personnel; and making final admissions decisions for beginning, transfer, nontraditional and readmission students.

StJohn of Kalamazoo worked at WMU from 1981 to 1987 as a residence hall director, managing residence hall operations for 500 students. She joined the admissions and orientation office in 1991 as training and development specialist.

In addition, StJohn was caring network supervisor for Catholic Family Services of Kalamazoo from 1989 to 1990; Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Project coordinator for the Allen County Health Department in Lima, Ohio, from 1988 to 1989; and a summer supervisor with Michigan's Allegan County Welfare Department in 1981 and 1982.

StJohn received a bachelor of science degree in criminology from Indiana State University in 1980 and a master of science degree in communication from WMU in 1987. She is a member of several professional associations, including the American Association of College Registrars and Admissions Officers.

As orientation coordinator, Tremblay annually develops, implements and evaluates orientation programs for more than 4,500 first-year students. His duties include overseeing a student staff of about 40 orientation coordinators and leaders and serving as a liaison with various WMU offices to ensure smooth integration of orientation programs.

Tremblay of Kalamazoo joined the Office of Admissions and Orientation in 1994 as an
admissions counselor and was named an assistant director of admissions in 1995. In the latter position, he coordinated WMU's Medallion Scholarship Competition in addition to recruiting high school and transfer students from nine Michigan counties. He will continue to be responsible for the University's recruitment efforts in the Lansing area.

While an undergraduate student at WMU, Tremblay served the University as a telemarketer for the Annual Fund and as a writer for the news and communications office. He gained additional public relations experience through internships with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation of Battle Creek, Mich.; the Walt Disney World College Program; and the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo.

Tremblay received a bachelor of arts degree in public relations from WMU in 1994 and currently is completing a master of arts in organizational communication. He is a member of several professional associations, including the Michigan Association for College Admission Counseling and the National Orientation Directors Association.

Media contact: Jeanne Baron, 616 387-8400, jeanne.baron@wmich.edu


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