KPS Class of 2017 descends on WMUMarch 4, 2011 KALAMAZOO--For the second year in a row, Western Michigan University will welcome Kalamazoo Public School sixth-grade students on its campus in March and April to get a first-hand look at college life and the opportunities available through a college education. The WMU/KPS partnership, called Bronco BUDS--Building Unique Dynamic Students--encourages early middle school students to set their sights on college and take advantage of the Kalamazoo Promise tuition scholarship program. All of the district's more than 1,000 sixth-graders will be transported to WMU for a day to engage in hands-on activities related to choosing a college career and taken on a University tour, including a visit to a classroom and residence hall. They also will eat lunch at a campus dining hall. KPS students will be guided through their college experience by WMU students and staff. Many of the college-student guides are Kalamazoo Promise scholarship recipients themselves. "Students eligible for the Kalamazoo Promise have the added advantage of living in a community that has a major public research university full of people eager to help them become familiar and comfortable with the idea of going to college," says WMU President John M. Dunn. "The more often they come here and learn about the resources and opportunities a college education can provide, the more likely they are to take full advantage of the wonderful gift they've been given in the Promise. This is an initiative our entire campus embraces because these students are Kalamazoo's future, and we want to work with our community partners to make that future a success." Bronco BUDS is an annual program for KPS sixth-graders that began last year. Spring visit schedule for KPS schools
For more information, contact Monteze Morales, graduate assistant and coordinator of college visitation activities for the WMU Office of Diversity and Inclusion at monteze.o.morales@wmich.edu or (269) 387-6325. Media contact: Deanne Puca, (269) 387-8400, deanne.puca@wmich.edu WMU News |
