WMU B ronco Advocacy Network
September 2017

WMU President Edward Montgomery welcomed Governor Rick Snyder
and about 100 officials representing Michigan's public universities and colleges
to the  2017 State Universities Summit held at the Fetzer Center on August 24.


The WMU Office of Government Affairs manages the network
and works on behalf of WMU to strengthen relationships
with state, federal, and local policy makers.

UPCOMING EVENTS 
  • Tuesday, Sept. 19--Constitution Day Lecture: When Women Won the Vote: Did the 19th Amendment Change American Politics. Information. 
  • Wednesday, Sept. 20--WMU Board of Trustees meeting, Bernhard Center 
     
  • Fall legislative session schedules:
     
Dr. Martha Warfield, center, accepted the award on behalf of WMU 

    Community impact of Bronco student volunteers nets  state award

The volunteer efforts of nearly 20,000 Western Michigan University students were recognized with a 2017 Governor's Service Award for Excellence in the category of Education Service Leader at a ceremony held in Detroit on August 21. 

The awards program honors the initiatives of schools, colleges, universities and other organizations that support youth making a difference in their communities, which is facilitated by  the Michigan Community Service Commission and the governor's office.

Over the course of the 2016-17 academic year nearly 20,000 WMU students provided a variety of services in the greater Kalamazoo area and southwest Michigan, generating a cumulative total of 1,638,126 hours volunteering. Of that total, 6,677 students were engaged in academic service learning. 

"Service learning is a mutually beneficial endeavor, in which course learning objectives are met by addressing community-identified needs, putting academics into practice," said Dr. Martha B. Warfield, WMU vice president for diversity and inclusion, who accepted the award on WMU's behalf. 
WMU student volunteers have planned and facilitated highly attended archaeological lectures, supported incarcerated citizens during the reintegration process, organized the University's first annual Rainbow Run 5K, and partnered with Kalamazoo Public Schools to provide tutoring for students. Some of these WMU flagship efforts have also been recognized for their creativity and success, and all have promoted service and the development of networks in west Michigan.

Congratulations to all of the outstanding Broncos who contributed and earned the award. It's a great day to be a Bronco!
Inauguration set for WMU's 9th president during CommU weekend

Dr. Edward Montgomery , who began his tenure as the 9 th  president of WMU on August 1, will be formally inaugurated Friday, Sept. 15, during an 11 a.m. ceremony in Miller Auditorium. 

A celebratory picnic will follow at 1 p.m. at Fountain Plaza. Members of the campus and wider Kalamazoo communities are invited to these events commemorating the beginning of Montgomery's tenure as president. Schedule.

The formal ceremony will be part of the 26th annual  CommUniverCity weekend. In addition to the presidential inauguration, weekend CommUniverCity events include an evening of tailgating and football under the lights vs. the University of Idaho on Saturday, Sept. 16.
This popular fall celebration was initiated to
celebrate community-university partnerships.

Kalamazoo higher ed leaders address
DACA order in joint statement

After U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced September 5 that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals order--DACA--would end in six months, the leaders of Kalamazoo's three institutions of higher education collaborated on a message of support to DACA students and a call for a legislative solution to the issue.

The statement was jointly issued by the presidents of Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo Valley Community College and Western Michigan University. Read the statement.



Learn more about the impact of DACA students on postsecondary education in this DATAPOINT.
Bronco gubernatorial appointments

Congratulations to the following Broncos recently selected for a gubernatorial appointment or reappointment:
  • Russ Kavalhuna, of Battle Creek, WMU executive director of flight operations, appointed to the Michigan Aeronautics Commission. 
     
  • Ben Geiger, of Nashville, Commission on Community Action and Economic Opportunity. 
  • Kevin Klein, of Traverse City, appointed to the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Task Force.
  • Laurie Linscott, of East Lansing, appointed to the Early Childhood Investment Corp.
Reappointments :
  • Ola Smith, of Kalamazoo, WMU professor of accountancy, reappointed to the Board of Accountancy.
  • Douglas Datema, of Grand Rapids, was reappointed to the Elevator Safety Board.
     
  • Daniel Tinkey, of St. Joseph, was reappointed to the Board of Athletic Trainers.
  • Ronald Wheeler, of DeWitt, was reappointed to the Board of Real Estate Appraisers. 
  • David Worthams, of Kalamazoo, was reappointed Board of Real Estate Appraisers. 
The governor's office is always seeking qualified candidates to serve on boards and commissions. Learn how to apply via the governor's Appointments website .
WMU implements clear bag policy at Waldo Stadium 

If you're headed out to Waldo Stadium this fall for Bronco Football, please review this new clear bag policy that has been implemented to enhance existing security measures and expedite venue entry. The policy regulates the size and type of bags that may be carried into the stadium  effective Sept. 1, 2017.  Information .


Advocate for your favorite university 

Friends of WMU is a grassroots, bipartisan state political action committee of Broncos helping Broncos, which was established to promote the interests of Western Michigan University. Learn how you can be more engaged as a WMU supporter on the  Friends of WMU website.
Contact us at (269) 387-2072 or write:
bln-contact@wmich.edu 

WMU Magazine