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KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University faculty will showcase and celebrate their cutting-edge research through presentations at the Office of Research and Innovation's Spring Convocation on Friday, April 21.

“Spring Convocation creates an opportunity to honor distinguished accomplishments of our prestigious faculty members in research, innovation and creative scholarship. Being a research-intensive comprehensive University, our faculty innovate in many disciplines spanning from biological sciences to diversity and inclusion. I am looking forward to celebrating the success of our distinguished faculty members,” says Dr. Rezmi Seker, vice president for research and innovation.

The event, which is fully virtual, begins at 9 a.m. with a Fulbright workshop. Faculty and other professionals can learn about the types of awards that are available and what the application process looks like. 

At 10 a.m., there will be presentations on award-winning faculty research from the 2022 Presidential Innovation Professors: Dr. Martha Councell-Vargas, associate professor of music; Dr. Tianshu Liu, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering; and Dr. Alisa Perkins, associate professor of comparative religion and an affiliate scholar with the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding.

A virtual Faculty Research and Creative Activities Award poster presentation session will begin at 10:45 a.m., followed by a noon awards ceremony that will recognize 47 faculty and staff members for their external funding accomplishments in the 2021-22 fiscal year. In addition, the 2023 Presidential Innovation Professors will be announced. 

The Spring Convocation will be followed by the Bronco Innovators Challenge pitch. Students will be pitching to judges at 2:30 p.m. in Room 1060 of the Fetzer Center.

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