Top News of the Year

Western scores in 2024

A men's soccer player celebrating on the field. — Persisting to peak performance

The fall 2024 sports season made history 51�� and beyond! The five Bronco teams with postseason opportunities—men's and women's soccer, football, volleyball and cross country—all made it to their postseason competitions. This is an institutional record, but Western's success is also launching the Broncos into the top three schools in the nation.

51�� President Edward Montgomery

TIME ranks Western as a ‘Best College for Future Leaders’

According to TIME, an elite diploma signals at least two things to prospective employers: survival of a difficult admissions process and a high likelihood of intelligence. For many companies, hiring from these institutions is also an investment in pre-vetted talent and established connections.

Western Michigan University teams up with Detroit Lions as official educational partner

Two students in the Cold Case program work in a room with case files.

State lauds success of Western Michigan University's Cold Case Program with major financial investment

Celebration planned for 2024 Experience-Driven Learning Grant awardees

51�� President Edward Montgomery greets two graduates

51�� president announces plan to retire next summer

Western Michigan University President Edward Montgomery, who for the past seven years has steadily led Western to remarkable milestones—including its first enrollment increase in a decade in the second most competitive market in the nation, record student retention and six-year graduation rates, an all-time high in research productivity and the largest gift ever made for a public university in U.S. history—has announced that he will retire next summer.

Students performing in the dance studio in Dunbar Hall. — Stepping into the next era of Western education

The penthouse dance studio is just one of many state-of-the-art spaces now open to students following the transformational renovation of Dunbar Hall. Putting experience-driven learning at the forefront, the innovative classroom building also features the Dunbar Media Suite, an interdisciplinary hub equipped with top-of-the-line broadcasting, podcasting and journalism equipment.

Check out the space

Impactful research

A green light illuminates a wind tunnel while students adjust the blades of a fan.

Igniting innovation: A record-breaking year of groundbreaking research

With record-breaking research investments and a focus on experiential learning, Western is poised to shape the future. Faculty and students are positioning themselves as leaders in critical areas like aerospace engineering, climate change, battery development, AI and more.

Department of Energy grants 51�� $5M to advance carbon capture and storage

Western joins Michigan universities in collaborative to spur innovation across state

NSF grant aimed at advancing construction education with generative AI and BIM

$3.17 million grant will energize electric vehicle research at 51��

Dust from the desert blows off the coast of Africa into the Atlantic Ocean.

Researchers discover role Saharan dust plays in hurricane rainfall

Working to say 'goodbye' to forever chemicals

Mobility grant drives 51�� and state forward as leaders in high-tech education, research and training

Moving into the next phase for voice-activated technology accessibility

Empowering Futures

Grant Overbeek and Maddy Boguslawski hold a page of a book near a press.

Broncos Lead interns learn the forgotten art of making books

Ben Higgins stands on a stairway overlooking check-in counters at the Kalamazoo Battle Creek International Airport.

Aviation student sees career opportunities take off in airport internship

Broncos Lead internship unlocks sport management student's potential

Student successes

Western students lead strategy development to keep young professionals in Kalamazoo

From networking and event planning to new downtown housing and electric scooters, students in the leadership and business strategy practicum are helping the Monroe-Brown Foundation solve the "brain drain."

Layla Wallace stands in a kitchen holding cupcakes.

Sweet success: Food marketing student cooks up skills to help business thrive

From child prodigy to business Bronco and beyond, Layla Wallace is growing her nearly 10-year-old bakery, learning to expand her community impact and even mentoring interns of her own.

Jack Austin poses for a portrait with the cast of "Beauty and the Beast."

Theatre student gives back to hometown with youth summer program

Jack Austin just wrapped up a second successful summer leading dozens of youth in a full-length production of "Beauty and the Beast" with Unity Theatre Company, which he founded two years ago.

Fashion student returns from 'life-changing' New York Fashion Week experience with industry connections, renewed runway resolve

Laura Argentati feels inspired to dive headfirst into a fashion career after getting behind-the-scenes access to runway shows and networking with some of the top talent in the industry.

Bolstered by impactful experiences, 94% of recent Western grads securing jobs, furthering education

Mathematics student accepted into prestigious international program

Engineers Without Borders student 'zooms in,' leveraging technology, teamwork to make the world better

Empowering undergraduate students with research internships

Awards and competitions

51�� business students successfully sweep awards in DECA competition

Western's jazz program captures four 2024 DownBeat magazine Student Music Awards

51�� Sky Broncos again claim top spot at regionals, advance to national competition

Sales students place first at National Sales Challenge

Environmentally-focused student reels in internship with Michigan Department of Health and Human Services

51�� nursing students lead hospital study that could change future of pressure-wound monitoring

Student experience meets community impact in groundbreaking new Evaluation Lab

Employee accolades

51�� professor awarded prestigious Bellagio Residency: continues work on grief

Western announces 2024 class of Presidential Innovation Professors

Adjunct jazz professor Duane Davis wins prestigious Ellis Marsalis, Jr. Educator of the Year Award

Faculty member, students honored by YWCA for their positive impact

Chen awarded third Fulbright award, research to focus on AI and business analytics

Broncos recognized for commitment to diversity, inclusion with 2024 Excellence in Diversity Award

Trio of science innovators recognized as Distinguished Faculty Scholars

Exemplars of engaging education honored with Distinguished Teaching Award

Western honors staff for impact on students and campus community in 2023-24

Professor honored for her service, commitment to students

Educator honored with Emerging Scholar Award for impactful research

Faculty members stand in groups and talk to one another.

Interdisciplinary faculty cohort works to expand project-based learning at 51��

51�� faculty to reshape induction and mentoring programs of future educators

CEHD faculty awarded three 51�� grants to enhance experiential learning programs

Pear kimchi grilled cheese on a black plate

Associate director of culinary operations makes mark in nationwide cooking competition

51�� Dining's associate director of culinary operations, Chef Andrew Francisco, secured a second place win in the Pacific Northwest Canned Pears Can-Do Challenge this summer. Francisco's submission, a Korean pear kimchi and grilled goat cheese sandwich, featured a homemade kimchi made with canned pears, thick-cut cherrywood bacon, goat and mozzarella cheese and Dijon mustard sandwiched between sourdough bread.

Amazing alumni

Bronco behind the big screen: Alumna uses makeup to tell stories in movies and TV

Western's own rocket man turns sci-fi dreams into reality

Educational leadership alum receives Lifetime Achievement Award for work in career and technical education

Education alum and teacher selected as state finalist for Presidential Award

Sport management alum finds success with Indiana Pacers

Trey Connor sits on a desk in his office holding a basketball.

From the classroom to the court: 51�� alumnus, one-time educator living out his hoop dreams

Alumnus turned top Seattle tech CEO tackles health care arena

Alumna is advancing medicine with mathematical modeling

Alumnus Gang Chen is making strides in AI and machine learning

Owner, CEO and Bronco at helm of Kaiser Enterprise adds to significant gift

Western alumnus receives Maryland's highest honor for geography education

Moving in and moving up

Brian Childs of International Student and Scholar Services

Haenicke Institute announces new senior director of International Student and Scholar Services

Walker Institute’s new director ‘stands on business’ with youth community outreach

Indigenous hip-hop artist brings new perspective to Western

Global education leader named interim associate provost at Haenicke Institute for Global Education

‘Community-focused, innovative’ academic appointed to lead College of Health and Human Services

Strong supporter of student success named dean of Merze Tate College

Western announces new director of choral activities

New director appointed to lead Michigan Geological Survey

Noteworthy developments

Students stand around a lab table dissecting cow brains. — Leveling up the experience

"Experiential learning isn't just a resume or portfolio builder; for me, it's an amazing guide to the right career path, and it builds comfort through discomfort."

Natalie Wiersma, kinetic imaging major

Check out what students are doing

Governor reappoints trustees Burris, Liggins to the 51�� board

Governor names new trustees to Western’s governing board

Celebrating 50 years of empowerment through literacy

Register by Friday, Nov. 22, for the free 2024 Adult Literacy Research and Training Symposium, to be held from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 13, in the Fetzer Center

Mallinson Institute for Science Education celebrates 20 years of global scientific literacy

The Mallinson Institute for Science Education 51�� in 2023 marked a significant milestone as the institute celebrated its 20th anniversary, a testament to its dedication in shaping the future of scientific fields worldwide.

Fort St. Joseph celebrates 25 years of archeological education

As the Fort St. Joseph Archaeological Project passes its 25th year, the work isn't just about unearthing artifacts; it's about the people behind the discoveries and the enduring impact on both history and lives.

Students watching the eclipse on campus — **Eyes to the skies**

The world stopped for but a moment in April 2024 as a rare solar eclipse in near totality descended on Western's campus. Students, faculty and staff brought out blankets and law chairs while sharing eclipse viewing glasses for mini watch parties to catch this spectacular sight!
Go back in time

A beauty shot showing fall colors on trees in front of 51��s clock tower on campus.

Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo Valley Community College and The Kalamazoo Promise receive $620,000 grant to help working-age students earn postsecondary credentials

New partnership puts Kalamazoo Public Schools students on path to Spanish minor 51�� Michigan University

Students talk with an instructor in front of a plane's propeller.

51�� and Kent Career Tech Center announce dual enrollment partnership for aviation students

Two students work with a mannequin in a bed at the nursing lab.

New $2 million grant supports nursing pipeline from KCC to 51��

A close up shot of hands signing a document.

Western joins new initiative to increase Michigan's child welfare workforce