WMU grabs more than $800,000 in grantsJune 5, 2009 KALAMAZOO--Externally funded grants to Western Michigan University climbed to more than $800,000 in April, WMU trustees learned at their June 4 meeting. The one-month tally brings the University's year-to-date grant total to nearly $26.4 million. Research grants raked in the lion's share--$606,215 in all--and were led by a new grant of $150,000 from the American College of Cardiology Foundation. That grant, to Dr. William Hamman, co-director of the WMU College of Aviation's Center of Excellence for Simulation Research, and Beth Beaudin-Seller, College of Aviation research associate, will use simulation strategies developed to train commercial flight crews and apply them to the health care arena to improve training for medical personnel. Another new research grant, this one for $100,000 from Haworth Inc. to Dr. Tycho Fredericks and Dr. Steven Butt, professor and associate professor, respectively, of industrial and manufacturing engineering, will be used to improve product performance for industrial seating. Public service grants accounted for $205,575 and were led by a renewal grant of $180,000 to Dr. David Shields, dean of the WMU Haworth College of Business. The funding, comes to WMU through Grand Valley State University as part of the Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center Region 11 network. The funds will continue a third year of developing small business activity in Southwest Michigan. Media contact: Cheryl Roland, (269) 387-8400, cheryl.roland@wmich.edu WMU News |