December 2019
Developing and defending positions: WMU students drill down on energy policy

An exercise in analyzing and developing positions on legislation—and then presenting those views in a public forum—was experienced Dec. 2 by students in an environmental policy and politics class taught by Dr. Denise Keele , associate professor of political science and environmental and sustainability.

The exercise focused on Michigan energy policy—in particular, several bipartisan packages referred to as “Powering Michigan Forward” moving through the state legislature. The exercise culminated in a roundtable discussion held at the Fetzer Center that included constituents, elected officials and representatives from Michigan environmental groups.

All 34 students in the class participated in the exercise and were assigned the role of a specific legislator or interest group to dig into the issues. Over the course of fall semester, the special interest groups “lobbied” for their positions among four caucuses formed along party lines. The caucuses prepared proposals, then negotiated final formulation of issues they agreed upon, issues where compromise was likely, issues of continued disagreement, and issues of further concern that still needed to be addressed. Each group presented their proposal outcomes at the roundtable.

Michigan Reps. Jon Hoadley , Aaron Miller and Donna Lasinski and Sen. Sean McCann participated and shared their voting record on recent energy policy bills and their perspectives on increasing the shift to renewable energy sources to power the state. Representatives of the Michigan Environmental Council and the Michigan League of Conservation Voters also gave an update on current work on environmental policy in Michigan.

“It was impressive to witness this interactive exercise that allowed our students to learn more about the legislative process and practice respectful engagement with people who have opposing views,” said Jeff Breneman , VP for Government Relations. “We are grateful to our legislators for their support in helping us develop the next generation of leaders with the negotiating and communication skills that will be essential to their future success.”

Read more about the exercise and outcomes.
WMU ranked No. 1 as a "Hidden Gem" university

College Gazette recently named WMU as the No. 1 “Hidden Gem” public university in the United States.

The ranking recognizes institutions consistently demonstrating excellence in their curriculum/learning outcomes, as well as in student opportunities. WMU was singled out for its academic programs and the high employment rate of recent graduates in their intended fields. Read more at College Gazette .
D.C. energy showcase features WMU professor's battery research

U.S. Rep. Fred Upton , the leading Republican on the House Energy Subcommittee, hosted Dr. Qingliu Wu , assistant professor in the WMU Department of Chemical and Paper Engineering, at the Energy and Environment Innovation Showcase in Washington, D.C. on December 9.
 
The event featured organizations from across the nation that are using innovative technologies to reduce emissions, tackle climate change, protect our environment, secure reliable and affordable energy, create American jobs, and strengthen our economy. The showcase highlighted WMU's projects focused on lithium-ion battery technology and creating efficiencies in printing. Event photos .
 
"The showcase was a wonderful platform to highlight—to government, industry and society at large—WMU's research into energy delivery and emissions reduction," Wu said. " We have gained great success in fabricating electronic devices by using high-throughput printing processes. Currently, we are trying to apply these technologies in lithium-ion battery technology to further reduce energy consumption during manufacturing processes and thus also reduce the cost of battery products." Read more .
NSF awards two WMU faculty for STEM ideas

A National Science Foundation panel awarded two WMU professors for their big ideas that aimed to shape the future of science, technology, engineering and math research nationwide.

Dr. Todd Ellis , assistant professor of geography and science education, and Dr. Bilinda Straight , professor of anthropology and women's studies, each received $1,000 cash prizes for their entries in the NSF Idea Machine 2026 competition.

Their ideas were among 12 selected for advancement to a Blue Ribbon panel—pared down from 800 submitted by institutions across the country, including Harvard, Columbia and Duke. They are the only finalists from Michigan, and WMU is the only institution with two finalists. Read more in the Western Insider .
WMU nursing student selected to serve on Secretary of State collegiate task force

WMU sophomore Ariana Johnson is one of 33 students representing 23 Michigan colleges and universities on the Collegiate Student Advisory Task Force convened in August by Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson.

The task force met three times over the fall semester to help Benson identify the unique challenges encountered by voters ages 18 to 24 and to recommend a series of programmatic, administrative or policy changes to address those challenges. Through this task force, young voters and diverse perspectives were at the table as the Michigan Department of State works to implement the Promote the Vote constitutional amendment passed by voters last November.

Johnson—who is from Marshall, Mich. and majoring in nursing—got involved with the task force to learn what her peers on other Michigan campuses are doing to promote voter participation and to learn more about engaging students in voting.

“A lot of my friends are not very involved with voting, so I was eager to participate in a group of people with diverse perspectives and take a non-partisan look at facts to encourage interaction,” she said. “I believe that the most important engagement issue that remains is the potential confrontation with a different point of view. It is just as important to encourage civil discourse, as it is to encourage voter registration.”

The University’s WeVote initiative was put forward by Johnson as a good example of how a campus can come together to encourage voter registration and participation. “Not all of the campuses represented on the task force have a non-partisan group like WeVote helping their students participate and engage in voting and the voting process,” Johnson said. “I encourage my peers to take it to the booths not to the boots. At the booths is where it matters and where action can be truly taken.”

Members of the task force will continue working together and anticipate hearing back from Benson on their final report and recommendations by the end of December. Going forward, Johnson said task force members are committed to engaging with their campus leadership and coordinating with new and existing campus organizations to increase voter engagement. 
WMU alumna's personal experience will drive national strategy to combat human trafficking

A WMU alumna is on the frontlines of combating human trafficking nationwide. President Donald Trump appointed Bella Hounakey to the  United States Advisory Council on Human Trafficking .

"It's an honor to serve not just our country, but to also be part of a bigger system that is working on behalf of vulnerable populations," says Hounakey, a  Seita Scholar  who earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees from WMU.

Read more at WMU News .
WMU quarterback recipient of premier community
service award

Western Michigan senior quarterback  Jon Wassink  has been named the recipient of the Wuerffel Trophy , presented by the Chick-fil-A® Foundation, according to an announcement by the organization Tuesday.
                                                                                      
The Wuerffel Trophy, known as college football's premier award for community service, is presented annually to the football bowl subdivision player who best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement. Named after 1996 Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Danny Wuerffel from the University of Florida, the Wuerffel Trophy has honored over 1,200 nominees since its inception in 2005. Read more at WMU Athletics .
WMU on the grow

Arcadia Flats

If you've driven by main campus lately along Stadium Drive, you've likely noticed the new Arcadia Flats apartment building under construction that's part of the first wave of development for the University's forthcoming Hilltop Village . The apartments will be complete in the summer of 2020, and open for the 2020-21 academic year.

“The vision for the remainder of Hilltop Village is for a dynamic mixed-use development that will feature multiple options for engagement between students, faculty, staff and the greater Kalamazoo community,” said Kara Wood, associate vice president for Community Partnerships. “It is WMU’s commitment to create a destination for students who seek campus amenities that will strengthen their future success.”



Aviation Education Center

Major expansion is underway at the College of Aviation for a new 50,000-square-foot instructional facility to provide additional space for the college's soaring enrollment. Completion of the $20 million building project is expected in summer 2020, with classes beginning in the new space the following fall. Read more at WMU News .

Wanted: 2020 Census workers

Applications are now being accepted for temporary workers to help conduct the 2020 Census. The Census Bureau is hiring people for five types of positions to support the 2020 Census. Learn more about each position, including roles, hours, and where most of the work will typically be done on the Census 2020 website .
WMU students volunteer to spread holiday cheer

WMU student athletes and leaders helped the community generate holiday spirit at the 2019 Kalamazoo Holiday Parade held on Nov. 16. The group that accompanied the WMU Marching Band included Buster Bronco, members of the University's Cheer, Dance and Softball teams, and the Western Student Association. About 40 students braved early hours and chilly temps to represent the University at this annual community event that draws thousands of spectators to downtown Kalamazoo.

Some campus offices on reduced hours for the holidays

Most University offices will observe holiday recess from Tuesday, Dec. 24, through Wednesday,
Jan. 1 . Holiday recess begins with the end of fall semester, and some campus services will cease or have reduced hours through the start of spring semester. Read more at WMU News .
Happy Holidays to you and yours!
The Western Michigan University Office of Government Relations will ethically 
operate with transparency, civility, bipartisanship and inclusivity to support public 
higher education. We advocate for and advance public policy and partnerships
benefiting Western Michigan University and the communities we serve.