SPRING/SUMMER 2020

LEARNING THROUGH A LENS Faculty, students creatively adapt to distance learning READY TO SERVE Despite mounting uncertainty, nursing students say they’re ready to join the ranks of health care workers fighting COVID-19.

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CONTENTS EXECUTIVE EDITOR Paula M. Davis 8. Uncharted Waters CONTRIBUTING EDITORIAL STAFF Joy Brown Erin Flynn 12. Unique Collection Megan Looker The University Libraries is offering students a glimpse Deanne Puca inside the minds of southwest Michigan authors David Small and Sarah Stewart through their working archive, ART DIRECTOR complete with drafts, original art, unpublished works Kim C. Nelson Given an inconceivable and journals. task and limited time to CREATIVE TEAM Mark Bugnaski accomplish it, the WMU 20. Dreamers of Tomorrow Madeleine Fojtik, M.A. ‘12 community is finding ways Students at the Richmond Institute for Design and Debbi Kreps, B.S. ‘88 to thrive while teaching and Innovation are developing modes of transportation and Shelli Osterhout learning from a distance. exploration for the future. PRODUCTION STAFF Bradley Horstman At the center of the 22. Something to Chirp About transition is WMUx, which An associate professor of biological sciences and doctoral QUESTIONS OR was recently charged student share basic birding tips to novices looking to get COMMENTS? with delivering next-level Contact Paula M. Davis at back to nature during quarantine. [email protected] learning opportunities on and off campus with UPDATES 26. Taking Flight emerging technology. For address changes, A new partnership with United Airlines is putting aviation please send updated students on the fast track for life in the sky, offering information to enhanced training even in spite of COVID-19. alumni-donor-update@ Patricia Villalobos wmich.edu. 28. Community Collaborations Echeverría, professor and area coordinator of In recognition of 1.34 million pubic service hours served on printmedia, records a campus and throughout the world, WMU has received the video for her ART 5000: W Magazine is owned 2020 Carnegie Community Engagement Classification. Machinations class. by Western Michigan University, 1903 W. Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo, 30. Charging into the Future MI 49008-5433. Views The College of Engineering and Applied Sciences is expressed in the magazine receiving new funds to create more cost-effective, fast- are not necessarily those of the University. WMU charging and high-energy lithium-ion batteries in the name is an equal opportunity/ of environmental sustainability. affirmative action institution and a member 32. Figures of Speech of the Association of With his career on the brink, news anchor Andrew Public and Land-Grant Universities as well as the Dominianni turns to a longtime WMU master faculty Council for Advancement specialist to find his voice again. and Support of Education.

4. University News 14. Alumni Profiles 29. In Print 38. Expert Insights 40. Classnotes 42. In Memoriam

2 wmich.edu/magazine 3 University News WMU 3D printers producing face shields WMU Signature and masks for health care workers awarded for Western Michigan University’s 3D printers aren’t sitting idle during the pandemic. outstanding Instead, staff and professors from multiple campus departments are using them to innovation produce personal protective equipment— specifically face shields—for health care A unique program that highlights workers who desperately need them. The student experiences is garnering equipment goes to the Sindecuse Health acclaim. WMU Signature received Center as part of the ongoing WMU effort the Innovative Program award VIDEO to provide materials to help protect health at the NASPA Region IV-East workers and share WMU resources. annual conference. “WMU Signature is a way that we Sales win makes WMU most victorious validate what students have been doing outside the classroom,” university in national competition’s history says Dr. Evan Heiser, the program’s director. “They’re getting engaged, Dear Friends, they’re exploring their passions, and the really different thing is students have to do something unique to put their passion into action.” The world is a vastly different place than it was caring students who used their tools and talents when we issued the previous edition of the to help front-line workers in health care settings, Students who complete WMU magazine. Things have changed in ways that Broncos are showing the grit, determination and Signature receive a co-curricular most of us never expected. We’ve witnessed the adaptability that are most needed when the world designation on their diplomas signifying one of nine pathways frightening spread of a global pandemic that has doesn’t make sense. Sarah Obermeyer and Ryan Demas competed in the State Farm Marketing and Sales Competition. affected nations around the world and touched our they can choose to focus on: Rocked by calamity, tested by tragedy, through it all, A team of two sales three different rounds of the prospect into their office campus in the worst way, but at the same civic engagement, diversity and the Western Michigan University family continues to students competed in competition, including: A to review options. time, we’ve also beheld humanity and decency inclusion, entrepreneurship, display true humanity and courage. I hope that the global engagement, health and the State Farm Marketing marketing presentation at their best. A customer service role-play stories you’ll read throughout this issue will remind wellness, leadership, social justice, and Sales Competition at answering the question, based on the scenario of a I’m writing this message at a moment that can you of what’s best and most enduring about our sustainability or teaching and the University of Central “How might a State Farm current customer coming only be described in one word: uncertainty. Our beloved University—its people. student success. WMU is the Missouri, during the fall agent educate and promote state’s residents are currently sheltering in place, to their agent’s office to Thank you for continuing to stand strong with us, only university in the nation semester, with one student a futuristic vision of mobile businesses are closed, K-12 schools continue online pay their six-month auto for being part of our worldwide community and offering the high-level student taking top honors in the telematics technology and we hold our collective breath as we monitor the insurance premium in full. joining us in proving that no matter the obstacle, engagement endorsement. customer service role-play while ensuring customer data and watch the viral spread. There’s no denying The goal was for the agent to Broncos are prepared to go the distance. category. This victory brings data privacy?” that this is a troublesome time for all of us. “The idea is to help students stand WMU’s student winnings start a conversation about out when they’re applying for jobs A sales role-play, focused renters’ insurance while But at the same time, I’m heartened by the things to over $40,000 in the past or graduate school,” Heiser says. on how a State Farm agent processing the transaction. that I see taking place across our University. eight years of competition, “Getting engaged on campus helps could develop a relationship From the response of our faculty members, who making it the most Obermeyer clinched the to make students more successful. with a new client from an quickly shifted 5,000 course sections to distance Edward Montgomery, Ph.D. successful university in the win in the customer Helping students focus and find internet lead. The role-play education platforms this spring, to the creative and President event’s history. service role-play portion something they’re passionate about began with an appointment- of the competition. will help them be more successful.” Ryan Demas and Sarah setting phone call where the Obermeyer competed in agent’s objective was to get

4 wmich.edu/magazine News 5 UniversityUniversity NewsNews WMU professor unites health care Business Grants awarded for COVID-19 heroes, Broadway stars to raise spirits professor research projects and funds during pandemic earns second The University's Office of Research and Innovation has awarded five grants for research related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The projects Broadway stars are bringing dramatic flair to honor frontline medical Fulbright cover health, politics, religion, education and language support. workers risking their lives to care for others during the pandemic. "Our guiding principle was to advance excellence in the pursuit of The Resilient Project, spearheaded by Jay Berkow, director of music award knowledge and ideas to help tackle COVID-19-related issues," says theatre performance, unites a star-studded company of more than For an Dr. Terri Goss Kinzy, vice president for research and innovation. "We 60 performers with doctors and nurses from across the country. impressive think it's going to be a major contribution from Western Michigan Participating from emergency rooms, critical care units and even second time, Dr. University to the nation's response." their own living rooms, they join together to sing "Resilient," a song Kuanchin "KC" from a rock-opera he’s been working on with composer/lyricist Dave Totaling $31,620, the grants are funded by the Meader Presidential Chen, professor Ogrin called “Mata Hari.” Endowment—a fund specifically designated for promoting of business WMU launches excellence at WMU. A committee selected the winning projects, Dr. Kuanchin "Given the unprecedented impact of this crisis, which is still information looking for those that had a broad impact, were collaborative in unfolding, our goal was to salute the true heroes who are at the systems, co-director of the online cybersecurity nature and could begin immediately in a remote capacity. forefront of the battle for human lives. The tireless health care Center for Business Analytics professionals—doctors, nurses, hospital personnel—who are literally and John W. Snyder faculty undergraduate degree "They leveraged a unique expertise of WMU and were different than risking their lives every day to take care of all of us," says Berkow, fellow at Western Michigan what many other universities are doing in this crisis," Goss Kinzy says. Jay Berkow who recruited WMU music theatre alumni Patrick Connaghan, University, has earned a Beginning in fall 2020, WMU will offer a fully online Bachelor The awards are not designed to be an exhaustive list of pandemic- highly competitive Fulbright of Science in Cybersecurity that will benefit graduates Cassandra Sandberg and Todd Tuchek to participate in the project. related research at the University, rather a spark to ignite new ideas. VIDEO Specialist Award from the U.S. and organizations in multiple ways. The four-year degree The video will benefit their colleagues through the American Department of State and the program is designed to help meet the increasing workforce College of Physicians, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS' COVID-19 J. William Fulbright Foreign demand for digital security specialists in areas ranging from Emergency Assistance Fund and the Emergency Nurses Association. Scholarship Board. government defense to supply chain operations. Professor awarded for book

Since the inception of the The COVID-19 pandemic, which has increased the number that peels back the curtain on Music students slide to the top in national Fulbright Specialist Program in of online users and exposed the safety vulnerability of Fetzer’s secret life 2001, faculty from the Haworth software and videoconferencing platforms, is further fueling trombone competition College of Business have the need for specialists who know how to keep digital data The Historical Society of Michigan awarded received this award three times and interactions secure. Brian C. Wilson, professor of comparative It’s not often a trombonist needs Steve Wolfinbarger, professor in the business administration religion, with its highest honor—the State security clearance to perform. of trombone. Two is virtually Students in WMU’s program will have the added advantage category. Chen received his first History Award—for his book, “John E. Fetzer But Alyson Johnson and Alayna unheard of. of acquiring invaluable skills that extend beyond the screen. Fulbright award as an associate and the Quest for the New Age,” which follows O’Connell got to shine in front Rather than developing curricula solely from a computer “This is huge. I think I can recall professor at the college in 2012. the businessman’s journey from Seventh- of the field’s top brass at the science perspective, WMU’s interdisciplinary cybersecurity maybe one other time when day Adventism to a quest for global spiritual American Trombone Workshop’s With this award, Chen will major also relies on the Haworth College of Business for a there were students from the transformation. It’s Wilson’s second such National Solo Competition, held complete a project at Warsaw business viewpoint on cybersecurity. same university as finalists in award, also winning in 2015 for his religious study of Dr. John at Fort Myer, Virginia. University of Life Sciences in another competition,” says “Security lies in this unique area where you have to Harvey Kellogg. Poland that aims to exchange The freshmen were two Wolfinbarger. “I’m incredibly understand the business side and the technical side” rather research experiences and Wilson was able to get an intimate look at Fetzer’s life through the of three tenor trombone proud. This will be something than one or the other, says Jason Johnson, lecturer in the Alyson Johnson and Alayna establish partnerships Fetzer Memorial Trust, which originally commissioned him to write finalists selected for the elite O’Connell got to shine in front of these students remember for College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. benefiting participants, the introduction to an anthology. That led to a sabbatical and competition—one of two major the field’s top brass at the American the rest of their lives.” Trombone Workshop’s National institutions and communities book project. solo contests for students Solo Competition, held at Fort Myer, The program is designed to be taken anywhere in the Will Ford, a 2018 graduate of both in the U.S. and overseas worldwide. To have one student Virginia. The freshmen were two world, and to be expansive enough to train for a wide During the course of that year, he was able to read letters Fetzer of three tenor trombone finalists WMU, was also a finalist in through educational and variety of cybersecurity positions that keep important chosen for the finals is high selected for the elite competition— wrote as a boy, see pamphlets he’d collected speaking out the Division III category of the training activities within praise for a program, says one of two major solo contests for online information and transactions secure. against Seventh-day Adventism, and read through the research students worldwide. competition. business administration. he’d cultivated.

6 wmich.edu/magazine News 7 BRONCOS ARE ALWAYS READY FOR A CHALLENGE. THAT ABILITY TO ADAPT AND RISE ABOVE WAS GALVANIZED AS THE COVID-19 CRISIS SWEPT THE GLOBE AND CAMPUSES CLEARED OUT TO MITIGATE THE Uncharted SPREAD. FROM LECTURE HALLS TO LIVING ROOMS, THE MOVE TO DISTANCE EDUCATION CHANGED THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT AT Waters: WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY. Campus “I am pleasantly surprised by the efforts of the College of Fine Arts and their commitment to giving us the best possible community education they can,” says Jolin Cramer, who completed her bachelor's degree in dance in April. “As students who are navigates privileged with great studio spaces, virtual dance classes can be difficult, but we found a new way to normalize the circumstance and ‘crank our personal volume’ during a time unprecedented of uncertainty.” shift to distance Dance is about conveying and evoking emotion through movement. Cramer had plenty of inspiration with the changes learning in response to the pandemic. “Personally, my biggest challenge is dealing with the grief of leaving my senior year behind,” she says. “It was hard to process being a production major with no more productions, a dancer with no more performances and a student with no more warm-ups, naps in the student lounge or improv jams VIDEO with my friends.” Cramer had to come to terms with the fact the end of her college career would look a little different than she planned. Jolin Cramer, bottom left, if one of several WMU dance students involved in Collective Groove, “My graduation dress came in the mail the day a communal video-dance project inspired by commencement was postponed—that hit hard. I was sad for Mitchell Rose's "Exquisite Corps," which also a while and everything felt like a simulation, but then I got includes students from Salve Regina University and Southern Methodist University. Monique Haley, inspired. Inspired by my friends, faculty and people from all assistant professor of dance, created the project over the world who I have never met.” alongside Brandi Coleman and Lindsay Guarino. While classes changed through distance learning, Cramer found comfort in sharing space with her classmates—even if that space was on a computer screen. Her classes met three times a day, and students would push their furniture aside or find a spot in the basement to dance in unison. The sessions quickly became her favorite moments of the day.

One class even had a virtual birthday party for a professor.

8 wmich.edu/magazine Uncharted Waters 9 effort to make the shift as smooth as possible, working around the clock to ease the transition for virtual classroom veterans and rookies alike. The program’s software engineers, design specialists, internet technology experts and the like managed to ramp up support services and structures Provost Jennifer Bott and WMUx Associate Provost within just a few days. Edwin Martini talk to faculty on campus about how to Instructors were offered assistance with approach distance education. online teaching fundamentals and delivery options during the transition. Stinson took advantage of the help available to learn about using Webex. She says staff PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE at the faculty technology center walked Formerly Extended University Programs, WMUx’s new name also comes with a her through the steps and she was able Lucinda Stinson, part- heightened purpose to focus on human-centered solutions. Its full visual identity time instructor in the to pick things up quickly. Plus, she had and name will be introduced everywhere next fall. The department, which has VIDEO College of Health and her daughter on standby if there was Human Services. existed since the early 20th century as an “ideas incubator,” will continue to operate something she didn’t understand. on the third floor of Ellsworth Hall on WMU’s Main Campus. Meanwhile, it will eventually resume conducting a “listening” campaign to solicit wish-list concepts for "She's a millennial," laughs Stinson, how it can deliver next-level learning opportunities on and off campus with emerging admitting that sometimes learning new technology, such as augmented reality and noteworthy pedagogical approaches. Cramer and other students each held a "My project-based classes changed a bit It's not surprising the WMU community technology can be a challenge. But she candle and sang happy birthday, blowing more, and anything that was supposed to stepped up to adapt to this challenge. That, points out, she does have an advantage. "As Eventually, some of the concepts will be put into motion to benefit people such as out the flames in unison. Those classmates be a group presentation has become more she says, is what Broncos do. a health care professional—I've been doing Osher Lifelong Learning Institute participants, dual-enrollment students who are became her family, and WMU, says Cramer, challenging. But my professors have lots this for over 40 years—you always have to "They stick together in herds and put up earning college credit while in high school, regional nonprofit workers, long-time became home. of ideas on how to make it" Dybing, who think on your feet. So, I can always go from a strong fight when threatened. I think professors and traditional students. graduated in April, found software which Plan A to Plan B to Plan C very quickly." “I have always been of the mindset that our professors in particular, but also our allowed her and her senior design project The unit’s new name is in keeping with its tradition of offering extended learning, this is something much bigger than all of maintenance and custodial staff, Dining partner to control their lab computer Her flexibility and commitment to taking on represents the next stages of education and serves as a creative capacity multiplier us,” she says. “I am not surprised by the Services and Residence Life, are doing a remotely. She also learned some new skills the new challenge is something Dr. Edwin for programs and people across campus. Its “human-centered” focus relies on constant support, uplifting messages and great job of getting us through this." to help record lessons for the labs she ran Martini, associate provost of WMUx, has empathy, ideation and experimentation as those pertain to outcomes rather than desire to help from the community. It’s as a teaching assistant. seen from faculty members across campus. capabilities. overwhelming in the best way to know that LEADING FROM BEHIND (THE we are all in this together.” "Learning how to edit the videos has COMPUTER SCREEN) "At the end of the day, we're all in this “This entire transformation from EUP to WMUx represents a significant investment in definitely made me think creatively and in For Lucinda Stinson, a part-time instructor together. Students are learning new tools, the core academic mission of the University,” says Dr. Jennifer Bott, provost and vice ENGINEERING SUCCESS different ways than I'm used to," she says, in the College of Health and Human as well," he says. "Our staff worked long president for academic affairs.■ Learning via Webex meeting isn't rocket joking that she could fall back on a career Services, moving from in-person classes hours, into the night and throughout the science. If it was, though, Grace Dybing as a Youtuber. to distance learning in a matter of days weekend, to make sure that we could says her aerospace engineering instructors seemed daunting at first. support our instructors and our students Dybing admits being nervous when she first • The communications team writing new As for students, in collaboration with the would have passed with flying colors. during this challenging time." Martini technical training and posting that Office of Information Technology, WMUx heard about the shift to distance education, "There was a wide range of emotions, says while his team braced for hiccups content online; designed, built and launched an Elearning "I think that they have done a great job with but she's discovered the silver lining in new running from fear to confidence that I can do along the way, WMUx met an student support site in about 36 hours that getting their classes online, and now when I opportunities—like being able to go back this," says Stinson, who spent the weekend unprecedented challenge. • Regional staff from locations like offers a wealth of general and detailed put on my headphones it's just like being in and listen to lectures after class because learning and preparing. "It really took a Traverse City and Macomb County resources about many distance learning the classroom," she says, adding professors they're recorded now. mental adjustment for me, because I'm a Behind the scenes, staff orchestrated a staffing the live chat feature to provide tools. have been able to keep the classes active people person. I'm not overly computer remarkable effort that included things like: "I think the faculty are working really hard quick responses to student and faculty by using chat functions. savvy, but I know that I can figure it out." to give us the best education they can, and • The instructional design team inquiries; and Simply put, without WMUx, learning at WMU WMUx—the evolution of Extended University it shows,” says Dybing. constantly fielding classes and emails would not have continued spring semester. Programs—spearheaded a campuswide • Academic support staff from across from instructors; campus providing virtual tutoring, coaching and advising.

10 wmich.edu/magazine Uncharted Waters 11 University Libraries acquires David Small and Sarah Stewart archive

The University Libraries has “Stitches,” was listed as one of with a series of exhibits and opportunities and access for acquired the complete working Publisher’s Weekly’s best books lectures. Due to its size and our students and faculty. Our archive of author and illustrator, of 2009, a finalist for the 2009 complexity, the collection will undergraduates and graduates National Book Award for Young become available as materials will be able to conduct research An award-winning author and illustrator team from David Small, and author, Southwest Michigan, David Small and Sarah Stewart, Sarah Stewart. Residents of People’s Literature and a 2010 are cataloged and prepared for using original, unstudied visit the Zhang Legacy Collections Center. Southwest Michigan, Small Alex Awards recipient. public use. material, and this collection and Stewart have created may attract additional national The Small-Stewart collection It was acquired to enhance a respected body of work, and international attention to includes drafts and original art, learning and research on collaborating on six books, our Libraries,” said Dr. Susan unpublished works, notebooks, campus. including “The Gardener,” a Steuer, WMU professor and rare sketchbooks, correspondence Caldecott Honor book. Small’s book librarian. and journals. Portions of the “The Libraries should invest ■ biographical graphic novel, collection will debut in fall 2020 in material that offers unique

12 wmich.edu/magazine Unique Collection 13 Johnny Anderson III B.S. ‘19

Life has a way of coming full Anderson also gleaned circle. For Johnny Anderson professional experience III, it happens multiple times through internships and a week. The WMU graduate other experiential learning student is an advocate opportunities—something for homeless individuals, that helped him get a job helping connect them to directly after graduation. health care, housing and Alumni other essential services in "I never would have the community. imagined I would have the Profiles opportunities or be in the "The thing I love doing most place that I'm working right Dr. Dweepobotee Brahma is helping people; making now," says Anderson, that connection with them," who is now pursuing his Ph.D. ‘19 says Anderson, community master's degree in social outreach coordinator for work at WMU. the Family Health Center in Kalamazoo, who splits his The COVID-19 pandemic time between the office and has only made his job more As child in Kolkata, India, the policymakers,” says Brahma, who the field, looking for people important—and more Dr. Dweepobotee Brahma witnessed earned her Ph.D. in applied economics in need. difficult. His clients have poverty firsthand. from WMU in 2019. “You get to influence expanded beyond the policy, you get to see policy making up It wasn't that long ago homeless community to “I was lucky, I grew up in a metropolitan close and provide your input. It’s very that he was in their shoes. anyone who needs help. city,” she says. “But even within the city, exciting.” In 2015, he found himself With resources scarce and there were pockets of poverty, poor homeless and hungry for a many agencies scaling back people who lived in slums. So, I had seen It’s an opportunity made possible, she new start after quitting his services, finding immediate it all around me, and I wanted to work says, by the support she received from job at a factory. So, Anderson assistance for individuals can toward something that would improve the Department of Economics. the quality of life of those people.” enrolled in classes at WMU. be challenging. Still, there’s a “The department focuses on doing His passion for connecting silver lining. Driven to help end that suffering, applied, real-world applications in with others led him to social Brahma is now working with various terms of your research, as opposed to work—a program in which he “I have been able to increase connection with community ministries in India to assess and address theoretical research that is the focus in found supportive mentors public health schemes and other many other departments,” says Brahma, who propelled him down the leaders and agencies I did not interact with prior to the development issues. As an associate whose dissertation research included path toward his career goals. fellow at the Brookings Institution India topics such as infant health, vaccination pandemic,” he says. ■ Center—a world renowned policy think and malnutrition. “Being equipped in tank—she has the opportunity to make a a skillset that is more policy relevant, real impact. or more industry relevant, makes you eligible for jobs in nonacademic settings, “I love it. I get to work with the as well.” ministry, working hand in hand with ■

14 wmich.edu/magazine Profiles 15 Hunter Davidson B.A. ‘19 Feeding the growing Davidson knew early on number of Michiganders in he wanted to serve in the need during the COVID-19 military. He chose WMU, crisis is no small task. across the state from his 2nd Lt. Hunter Davidson hometown of Croswell, and his team of Michigan specifically for the ROTC National Guard soldiers program. are up to the challenge. Initially scheduled for He explored several annual training in Morocco, possible fields of study the global pandemic before he chose political shifted their plans. science. After graduating in 2019, he landed a job His team from the 1433rd as a manager at Amazon. Engineer Company began That job, paired with the work at the Feeding experience he gained America West Michigan at WMU, set him up for Food Bank in Comstock success in the uncharted Park in late March. They territory he’s leading his packed emergency boxes team through now. full of food for smaller food pantries to distribute “The ability to remain Raegan Delmonico resilient, flexible and to families. The team was B.S. ‘19 later deployed to Pontiac handle all of the changes to assemble boxes for that have been happening senior citizens. Davidson throughout this COVID-19 crisis, Western really estimates they helped No bones about it, Raegan Delmonico loves "I took introduction to anthropology with It's an experience that sets many WMU helped with that,” says distribute more than archaeology. Dr. Michael Nassaney," says Delmonico. "He graduates apart from colleagues in the Davidson. “Everything 400,000 pounds of food for got me involved with the project, and there field, and one that has helped Delmonico changes here every single thousands of people "You can read a lot about different was no turning back. I got the bug." earn jobs at multiple archaeological sites day. So, if I wasn’t resilient in need. archaeological techniques as much as you after graduation. or able to adapt, it would want, but you won't truly understand that The rest is history—which, coincidentally, “Part of the reason we be pretty difficult.” until you get out and do your field school is the major Delmonico originally thought "Getting the experience at Fort St. Joseph joined the guard was to and really put your hands in she'd pursue when she first came to was amazing. Being able to do my field be able to give back to our the ground." Western. She switched her major to school there and then come back as a lab neighbors. We are also anthropology in her fourth year after taking coordinator is an amazing resume builder," civilians ourselves most of The alumna cut her teeth as an Nassaney's class. says Delmonico. "People can't believe I the time, so being able to undergraduate student at the Fort St. coordinated the lab as an undergraduate." serve our communities is Joseph Archaeological Project's field "Dr. Nassaney really took me under his ■ really important.” school in Niles, Michigan, unearthing wing. He kept pushing me to apply to the centuries-old artifacts. field school and stay involved with the project."

16 wmich.edu/magazine Profiles 17 J. Gabriel Ware B.A. ‘16, M.A. ‘18

Coronavirus concerns. Ellen Christian. They were Battening down for always helping me with blizzards. A Hollywood stories and helping me in heavyweight headed to general, so that I didn’t trial. J. Gabriel Ware’s just disappear for six workdays are never months.” dull. The two-time WMU alumnus works As a Seita Scholar, Ware on the assignment desk had the financial stability at ABC News, covering to pursue his dream in breaking news stories full force. The accelerated from across the country. master’s degree program also allowed him to get an “It’s kind of overwhelming earlier jump on his career. at first because it’s a big network,” says Ware, who “If you’re going into was hired in 2019 after a media, there are plenty of successful internship. opportunities at Western to establish yourself,” The Detroit native’s he says. “All of my success is the result of experiences helped me Joseph Sánchez years of hard work and get to where I am now.” ■ focus, honing his craft B.S. ‘20 and exploring all aspects of media as a student at WMU—with the support While his wings were clipped graduating year. Now in the middle of a pandemic, he’s Overseeing a team of around of a number of professors with a degree in aviation management and secured a full-time team leader position 25 workers, Sánchez is now tasked with along the way. operations amid a global pandemic where at the Plainfield, Illinois, store, playing off keeping the store running smoothly amid “Working at the Western airlines are suffering, Joseph Sánchez didn’t his business skills forged even during his social-distancing rules and concerns about Herald helped me get find himself down on his luck. aviation courses at WMU. food shortages. an internship at Encore The first-generation college graduate “While retail is completely different from “In a time like this, where a lot of our magazine,” says Ware, says connections while he was student aviation, it’s still related to business. I chose communities and businesses are being who also completed body president for the Western Student the aviation management major because impacted by the pandemic, we must internships at WMUK Association helped him understand I also really enjoy general business,” he challenge ourselves to do what we can radio and Yes! Magazine “although I was in the field of aviation, I says. “Leading others and working with a for our families and ourselves,” he says. in Seattle. “When I was could still pursue other career goals that team is what I like the most. It isn’t just “I am truly thankful and hope that years at Yes!, I was always in are of interest to me.” work to me, but more about helping others from now I can help Broncos reach their contact with Dr. Leigh develop skills, gaining management dreams, too.” ■ Ford and professor Sue Those goals led him to grocery giant Meijer, experience and learning how great where Sánchez had interned his junior teamwork impacts results.”

18 wmich.edu/magazine Profiles 19 Product design students THE NEXT STEP In fall 2020, a new course will be introduced in the Richmond Institute, opening up the envisioning future of mobility product design experience to students across the University. with Eaton partnership “We will build smart, interdisciplinary teams of students based upon the needs “This helmet will allow the user has been working with the product Flying cars. Automated supply of our corporate partners. These students to have an unseen full connection design students. will apply design thinking methodologies systems coordinating robot to the aircraft they are piloting,” to real-world problems, while learning displaying aeronautics, trip and aircraft The project reflects Eaton’s long- deliveries. Undersea living and how to collaborate with students from information, pilot health and passenger term intent to support WMU and the civilian space exploration. The other disciplines—a skill crucial to the status information, he says. Richmond Institute as a foundational workplace.” mobility solutions of tomorrow partner. Classmate David Bulley is focusing on An example might be pairing a design are being dreamed up today at transportation related to orders and “Part of our responsibility as an student with an engineering student and deliveries, focusing on automated organization is to make our community Western Michigan University. an occupational therapy student to help systems. stronger,” adds Andrea Russell, human create a prototype for a rehabilitation Through a partnership with Eaton resources director at Eaton. “We’re device. The teams will have the opportunity Corp., the first cohort of product design “I’m working on the idea of magnetic lucky to have a large university with to gain resumé-building experience in students—now in their third year in propulsion for land-based vehicles great programs that we can work with.” the field and in the institute’s world- the Richmond Institute for Design and and hover flying for personal The relationship is mutually beneficial. class facilities. Innovation—is envisioning what the transportation,” he says. “Each storage cube will be its own robot that can Students have a tremendous world might look like in 50 years. “Combining fine arts, engineering and move itself from different points and opportunity to work on real-world business, (the Richmond Institute) takes “The students are learning how to even stack itself on other cubes for projects and get mentorship and a step into the future where few other use ‘design fiction’ to spur present- transportation.” guidance both during their college universities have had the vision or courage day innovation,” says Michael Elwell, career and after graduation. There’s to go,” says Linda Morgan Demmer, who— director of the Richmond Institute. THE FUTURE OF DESIGN knowledge transfer in both directions. along with her husband, Bill—donated “The result is transformative, disruptive The course is the first of six that Eaton “The students benefit from feedback $900,000 to create the DREAM Lab, which design solutions instead of the has committed to being involved in, from industry professionals and get to includes state-of-the art machining and incremental change we typically see putting students in the driver’s seat list the experience on their resumé,” design capabilities for rapid prototyping. in industry.” on projects involving such topics as says Elwell, noting that there’s extra transportation, electrification and “This program is designed to develop In this “special topics” course, students motivation in working with a corporate sustainability. Eaton engineers and graduates who will enter the job market are creating future transportation sponsor because there’s a possibility designers will interact with students with a broad educational view and with scenarios for the year 2070, considering the student’s work could actually go throughout the courses, offering project talents that will be highly sought after by what role Eaton might play in that into production. critiques and guidance. employers.” world, and then developing products The opportunity, Bulley says, is From top: Student Aisha Thaj, for those scenarios. “It’s important to Eaton that we invaluable to his own career aspirations. assistant professor Sunki “Being part of the first class of this help grow a design program like the Hong, Eaton user experience new program has been a life-changing “I love the early stages of the design designer Phil Goodwin and Richmond Institute for Design and “WMU teaches us the skills, but also Eaton engineering manager experience,” says Koch. “With every project, process when I get to sketch out as Innovation has, so that this community puts us in front of the people we will Michael Preston we are challenged to do something new many ideas as possible before settling can grow in its foundation of having be working for. Networking is the best and figure it out as we go along. It will make on one that will do the job in the most good, strong design opportunities,” asset of this program.” a positive impact on all of our careers as efficient and elegant way possible,” says says Phil Goodwin, a user experience it forces us to develop a strong work ethic Nick Koch, who is designing a helmet designer at Eaton who joined the and be resilient workers.” that pilots of on-demand flying car ■ Institute’s industry advisory board and services might wear.

20 wmich.edu/magazine Dreamers of Tomorrow 21 VIDEO For the birds: Avian adventures at Asylum Lake Preserve Oblivious to the COVID-19 pandemic, a white sandhill crane that sailed overhead, while a male mallard meandered downstream. Within WMU’s 274-acre Asylum Lake Preserve on a mild spring morning in April, several bird species were observed building nests, flying, paddling, eating and calling to one another and even battling, in some cases.

Birdwatching at the preserve, which offers a publicly- Here you go: Tree swallows accessible visual and symphonic feast, remains an easy, battling over bluebird box free, soothing and educational option amidst social territory at Asylum Lake Preserve, which is always brimming with distancing mandates and closures that have altered life as wildlife activity. we knew it.

No birding experience? No problem. This inspiring hobby only requires a sense of adventure, a fondness for fresh air and the ability to quietly observe.

Dr. Sharon Gill, associate professor of biological sciences, and Joanna Sblendorio, a doctoral student studying bird behavior, recently provided basic birding lessons at the preserve, located in Oshtemo Township and bordered by Drake Road and Parkview Avenue. Here’s what they shared:

22 wmich.edu/magazine Something to Chirp About 23 WHY GO BIRDING AT ASYLUM? Giving more consideration to bird activity reveals an expanded world that offers vital reconnection with nature, which may be more important than ever as the pandemic continues to wreak physical and emotional havoc on humans throughout the world.

“The value of coming out in nature is to get away from all of the typical things that you’re worrying about in your day. What a beautiful WMU’s Asylum Lake Preserve is experience to be able to hear the water babbling behind us and the brimming with birds, says Dr. Sharon Gill birds calling,” says Gill, who is originally from Canada and recently and biological sciences doctoral student Joanna Sblendorio birdwatching during received a National Science Foundation grant to study alarm calls in a springtime visit to the public preserve. yellow warblers. “It can give you an amazing sense of peace and also connectedness to something bigger than ourselves.”

Asylum Lake Preserve Little Asylum Lake,” says Gill. of birds just by walking here Wearing colors that blend with Certain species have been noise, which can negatively Sblendorio and Gill suggest passing through the area this affect bird migration and visiting “All About Birds” by and the adjoining “We can walk through the and listening,” says Gill. “If the scenery are advisable, forest and engage with the you’re listening here, there are but not nearly as important spring, while others will plan to breeding. Cornell University, and the property lie in the west organisms here. And then blackbirds calling, there’s robins as quiet observation—no stay for the duration of summer. Merlin Bird ID app that’s Ducks and waterfowl are seeing fork of the Portage Creek there’s also the prairie. We singing, there’s woodpeckers, sudden movements and full affiliated with Cornell. During their recent lake less of a decline because of Watershed. The land have three important types of the red-wing blackbird. All of concentration. preserve visit, Gill and concerted conservation efforts, The National Audubon ecosystems in the area, making those things you can listen to. was ensured when WMU Sblendorio were entertained even those meant to support Society is the country’s bird it a really nice place to walk and You don’t have to name them to “Birdwatching is an activity in constructed its nearby by a bluebird couple creating birds during the past 50 years. hunting, Gill says. authority. Its site includes experience nature.” get the joy out of experiencing mindfulness,” says Sblendorio, College of Engineering a New Jersey native who a nest in a box built by people Cornell University researchers compelling stories, news and them. You could become “When we invest in became captivated with for that purpose. Their task calculated North America is conservation tips. Parkview Campus. An ADVICE FOR NOVICES somebody who’s really active conservation, we make a birds while helping a master’s wasn’t easy. While the female home to nearly 3 billion fewer online story map offers a About 450 bird species call and knows their birds, but if difference,” says Gill. “There’s Practical bird conservation student study them on a deposited beakfuls of grass birds today compared to 1970. Michigan home, according you’re not one of those people an inherent value in nature, and activities are detailed at self-guided introduction military base. “You’ll see flashes into the box, her mate was busy Even traditionally common to the Michigan Bird Records right now, certainly don’t let other organisms have a right to 3BillionBirds.org. The site to the preserve and of color, the rustle of leaves. It’s fending off swallows, which species such as Baltimore Committee’s January 2020 that stop you from enjoying be here just like we do.” lists ways anyone can help an opportunity to appreciate were also diving to gulp the first orioles and barn swallows its history. list. Right now, many species birds because you have all you reduce the rate of bird decline, the world.” flying insects of the season. are seeing drastic population The preserve serves as a that departed for the winter need to enjoy them: your ears decreases. RESOURCES such as modifying windows are migrating back to the area, and your eyes.” research area for academic Some birds, such as CONSERVATION For those interested in buying to be less reflective, growing disciplines such as which offers birders plenty of The causes are many. Some of native plants, keeping cats The best times to birdwatch, chickadees, are loud. Cranes Another good reason to take their first set of binoculars geology, hydrogeology and interesting activity. them include climate change, indoors, drinking coffee that’s according to Sblendorio, are at are graceful. Fox sparrows up birdwatching: Species for bird watching, Sblendorio environmental studies, but it is “have a really cute whistle,” reduction in habitat due to suggests a seven or eight cultivation-friendly to birds and Experienced birdwatchers dawn and dusk. throughout the world are in a particularly wonderful place Sblendorio claims. She calls human activity, skyscrapers, magnification. reducing plastic use. enjoy grabbing their binoculars, rapid decline, Gill points out. ■ for birdwatching, Gill says. “The dawn chorus is just warblers “little forest gems” pesticide use and outdoor cats. identifying as many species According to a September 2019 spectacular, right when the sun that range in hues from yellow Bird identification books are Asylum “does offer a really nice as they can and perhaps article in Science Magazine, Gill and Sblendorio’s research comes up,” Sblendorio says. to blue to rusty red. also there for the buying, but set of features and different conducting counts, “but if you the Western Hemisphere has and field studies partly focus on there are also several websites natural areas. So, we can don’t have that bird knowledge, lost more than one in four the effects of human-generated and mobile applications to use. go to Big Asylum Lake and you can still experience the joy

24 wmich.edu/magazine Something to Chirp About 25 Student aviation opportunities take off with launch of Aviate partnership

Since he was 5-years old, Josh “For current and prospective students, “We think it’s a top-notch school,” Carpenter’s head has been in the there is still no better time than now says Capt. Curtis Brunjes, managing clouds. His first ride on an airplane had to be considering a career in aviation,” director of pilot strategy at United. “We him hooked. says Tom Thinnes, recruitment and think that the curriculum, the standard outreach manager for the College of and the program at Western Michigan “We were always interested in things Aviation. “While the COVID-19 situation University generates the top talent.” with motors and things that went fast,” will slow the industry down for a little says his twin brother, Tim, who also bit, the industry will come back.” Student aviators at Western are caught the bug. The siblings followed able to train on some of the most their aviation aspirations from their The passenger travel slowdown has advanced aircraft in collegiate aviation, hometown of Commerce, Michigan, another unexpected benefit: it could something Josh Carpenter says led WMU alumni Josh and Tim to WMU. bolster training in the prospective to a “very seamless” transition to his Carpenter are first officers pilot ranks. career as an airline pilot. His brother, with United Airlines. “It was awesome,” says Josh. “I always Tim, adds that the crew environment had a study partner and a friend, along “While the industry has postponed training in WMU’s curriculum “replicates with some sibling rivalry.” some of the new hire classes over the exactly what we do at the airlines.” next few months, we anticipate having Graduating in 2013, the brothers an increase in certified flight instructors, “So, when you get to the airlines, you followed similar career paths—both which may help us address some of the know how to study the material, you eventually landing at United Airlines, training backlog,” Thinnes says. know how the basic flow of a flight where they are first officers. deck and how to set it up, and those CREATING OPPORTUNITIES things combined will put you well A new partnership between WMU’s Students accepted into the Aviate ahead of others who don’t attend a College of Aviation and United will put program are required to get experience program such as this,” he says. students on a faster track to follow in teaching as a certified flight instructor their footsteps. The Aviate program The preparation is one of the many at WMU. Once they accumulate the offers applicants a new altitude of reasons WMU lands among the top minimum flight hours to earn their opportunity with the fastest path to three aviation schools in the nation. restricted airline transport pilot’s a career with a major airline in the license, they’ll fly for a United Express country. It’s a path that remains steady “Students know that if they really want Aviate partner. After successfully despite the emergence of the COVID-19 a job, if they really want to be feet completing at least 2,000 flight hours crisis. Industry experts anticipate the first into this industry, this is the place and 24 months with that partner pandemic-related decline in passenger to come,” says U.S. Rep. Fred Upton. carrier, pilots will be able to transition air travel will eventually turn around, “The proof’s in the pudding. United to United as a first officer. and students who apply for Aviate will recognized it—we all have.” ■ be uniquely positioned to fill a need for WMU is one of just four collegiate more pilots when they complete the programs chosen by United to VIDEO program in four to five years. participate in Aviate.

26 wmich.edu/magazine Taking Flight 27 In Print Community Collaborations

Building homes, visiting with terminally and offered 333 credit-bearing, ill children, and testing for ground community-based learning courses 1.34M contaminants are just some of the ways representing more than 75% of its that the Western Michigan University academic units and programs. SERVICE community, in partnership with WMU’s selection means the institution’s HOURS outside entities, makes a distinctly dedication to dynamic and noteworthy Carbon Criminals, positive difference, as its recent community engagement runs through Carnegie Community Engagement its mission, culture, leadership, Climate Crimes Classification proves. In recognition of allocations and practices, says Kara (Rutgers University Press, 2020) EARN WMU 1.34 million hours served on campus COVETED Wood, associate vice president for and throughout the world, and for the CARNEGIE community partnerships and co-chair Western Michigan This new book by Dr. second consecutive time, WMU received RECOGNITION of the University’s Civic Action Planning University emphasizes Ron Kramer, professor of the 2020 classification, which recognizes service-oriented learning. Team. It also illustrates the University’s Here, students perform sociology, analyzes the higher education institutions across the commitment to working with others on painting prep work for a looming threats posed country for their outstanding institutional local community project. critical societal issues such as poverty, by climate change from a ONE OF commitment to transformative racial equity, access to affordable health criminological perspective. collaboration locally and beyond. 119 care and the environment. It advances the field of green INSTITUTIONS Only 359 colleges and universities criminology through an IN THE “WMU has a long history of public service maintain the classification, an elective examination of the criminal COUNTRY and community partnership, including endeavor that requires institutions ARRAY OF OPPORTUNITIES Kramer nature of catastrophic experiential learning opportunities that to voluntarily submit information environmental harms resulting from the release allow faculty and students to apply their • Hydrogeology field courses focused on describing the impact of their community of greenhouse gases. The book describes AWARDED work and produce useful solutions for hazardous man-made chemicals known engagement initiatives, ranging from and explains what corporations in the fossil THE business, government and nonprofit by the acronym PFAS. class projects that address local needs to fuel industry, the U.S. government, and the DESIGNATION agencies,” Wood says. IN 2020 engaged research that maintains national • WIRE Youth Development Programs. international political community did, or failed to do, in relation to global warming. "Carbon or international reach. The University’s reciprocal community These free offerings have benefited Criminals, Climate Crimes" integrates research engagement practices with public more than 1,000 youth between the WMU was one of 119 institutions in the and theory from a wide variety of disciplines to and private entities are longstanding, ages of 7 and 13. country to be awarded the designation in analyze four specific state-corporate "climate widespread and diverse, as its Community the 2020 cycle, one of only 13 doctoral- • Southwest Michigan Children’s Trauma crimes": continued extraction of fossil fuels Engagement Geo-Map shows. granting universities with a “high research Assessment Center. and rising carbon emissions; political omission activity” classification to receive this For the next classification process, “Our (failure) related to the mitigation of these • The Kalamazoo Literacy Council hosts recognition, and one of 11 in Michigan goal is to increase the strength, impact, emissions; socially organized climate change an annual Adult Literacy Research and to be named. and sustainability of our partnerships, all denial; and climate crimes of empire, which Training Symposium at WMU, which has the while contributing to our students’ include militaristic forms of adaptation to climate The University’s application documented impacted nearly 875 adult learners and educational experience and effecting disruption. The final chapter reviews policies that that, in one year’s time, its faculty, has improved instructional capabilities positive societal change,” says Wood. ■ could mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, adapt students and staff partnered with over of almost 300 volunteers. to a warming world, and achieve climate justice. 1,500 unique community organizations ■

28 wmich.edu/magazine In Print 29 A nearly $9.6 million grant recently global energy concerns and address received from the U.S. Department of national priorities of the Department Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and of Energy. “This research is designed to Renewable Energy is supercharging also engage Western Michigan University ongoing lithium-ion battery research students and allow them to contribute led by the College of Engineering now and become the next generation of and Applied Sciences and corporate leaders in this field,” says Dr. Terri Goss partners. The scientific breakthroughs Kinzy, vice president for research and supported by this funding are innovation at WMU. expected to enhance crucial environmental sustainability efforts Contributing to the research at WMU will pertaining to energy efficiency and be Ph.D. students Guanyi Wang, Jie Ziong resources consumption. and Jian Yang; undergraduate students Lindsay Gubow, Bharat Goel and JustOne Titled Enabling Advanced Electrode M. Crosby; and professors Dr. Kecheng Architecture through Printing Technique, Li, Dr. Paul D. Fleming, Dr. Alexandra the three-year project is being Pekarovicova and Dr. Massood Atashbar. spearheaded by Dr. Qingliu Wu, an Dr. Quinglu Li, right, assistant professor and project lead for the Enabling Enhanced Electrode assistant professor in WMU’s Department Wu says he is grateful to have received Architecture through Printing Technique project, of Chemical and Paper Engineering. As the grant and for the support of various with student research assistants. principal investigator, Wu is leading the partners and colleagues who also helped project team of scientists and engineers earn the award. in seeking ways to create more cost- effective, fast-charging and high-energy “I am excited that we can have more Ever wish your cellphone lithium-ion batteries for use in electric students at WMU involved in our research battery lasted longer, or vehicles and other consumer products on lithium-ion batteries,” says Wu. “As such as drones and portable devices. you know, lithium-ion batteries could your laptop took less time to store significant amount of energy from recharge? There’s an excellent The low-cost printing method used for solar and wind power, making possible a electrode fabrication will potentially fossil fuel-free society.” chance that such improvements Renewable increase energy density without are eminent thanks to federally sacrificing battery life. Lithium-ion The state-of-the-art printing technology funded research being batteries, such as those in cell phones, being developed for this project could energy that now take up to three hours to charge potentially reduce environmental spearheaded at WMU. would take only 10 minutes or less with pollution and result in cheaper such next-generation technology. batteries for customers, Wu says. researchers WMU’s longstanding reputation for Wu has assembled a multidisciplinary discovery and forward-thinking scientific at WMU team within WMU to work with: development is exemplified within its Argonne National Laboratory; WMU’s College of Engineering and Applied partners Northeastern University, Sciences, where its numerous programs receive Brown University and University of produce practical improvements North Carolina Charlotte; SafeSense and problem-solving leaders who are Technologies LLC, a technology start- committed to improving lives. ■ $9.6 million up launched by WMU and spun off as an independent company; and Boston, Massachusetts-based Nanoramic grant Laboratories to provide solutions to

30 wmich.edu/magazine Charging into the Future 31 In summer 2019, Andy Dominianni spent eight solitary weeks at his family’s cottage in upstate Michigan, but not for a relaxing hiatus. Instead, the evening anchor for WWMT-TV Newschannel 3 in Kalamazoo was determined Figures of speech: to find his voice again. The singular, distinctive audial source that his livelihood depends on had rebelled Instructor helps Kalamazoo TV against him out of the blue the previous year, thereby anchor recover his voice jeopardizing his career.

VIDEO

“It was horrifying,” Dominianni Andy Dominianni, DREAD AND DIAGNOSIS evening anchor says. “It was easily the worst Dominianni says he pursued for WWMT-TV thing that’s ever happened a TV news anchor career Newschannel 3 in Kalamazoo, reviewing to me.” because of the varied learning the script prior to opportunities and chances to delivering a live The problem began in August newscast. meet fascinating people. An 2017 while shooting footage for internship at ABC News during a piece on the 50th anniversary his college years inspired of the Detroit race riots. His him, and one of the smallest stand-up, which typically took TV markets at the time in only one or two takes for this the United States – Alpena, seasoned news professional to Michigan – gave him his start. nail, instead took 11 takes. His voice kept breaking. Every “It’s a very fun job,” says third word came out as air Dominianni. “It’s a public without sound. platform, so it’s a front-row seat. I get to see everything Amid a series of false starts as it’s happening, and I get to with specialists who weren’t interview the people who are a good fit for him, Dominianni making it happen. So, I get to met Heidi Douglas-Vogley, really make a difference.” a master faculty specialist in WMU’s Department of Following his fateful Detroit Speech, Language and Hearing assignment, Dominianni Sciences. Her vocal assistance says he feared the worst. and emotional support, he Was it lung cancer? Extensive says, made possible imaging concluded it wasn’t. his recovery. Was it a vocal cord nodule? An upper endoscopy, which necessitated Dominianni being

32 wmich.edu/magazine Figures of Speech 33 on camera in a far different he was feeling at that time and provided an accurate diagnosis eke it out. So, the one problem way, negated that theory, too. provided a foundation for the Kalamazoo news caused the other.” An out-of-town ear, nose and for healing. anchor: abductor spasmodic throat doctor misdiagnosed dysphonia. “The larynx for all of us is him. A local specialist with a “EVERYBODY WAS an emotional thermostat,” Douglas-Vogley explains. less-than-pleasant bedside TRYING TO BE ROAD TO RECOVERY “Anytime we have stresses manner increased his anxiety Dominianni has one of the HELPFUL, BUT and tensions, they can zap us and consequently worsened his rarest of rare vocal afflictions. NOBODY KNEW laryngeally and people can symptoms, he says. Spasmodic dysphonia is a lose their voice. Some people WHAT I WAS GOING neurological disorder that “In the meantime, I was not get migraine headaches, some THROUGH. AND HEIDI affects about one out of every able to do my job very well,” people get upset stomachs, and 100,000 people; far fewer Dominianni explains. “Going DID. HEIDI KNEW,” some people develop varying have ABSD, the affliction as on live TV was difficult. I was so SAYS DOMINIANNI. levels of laryngeal dysfunction.” it pertains to the abductor anxious about my voice failing, Douglas-Vogley has extensive variety. The voice muscles in Douglas-Vogley and a graduate and that anxiety made my experience with diagnosing the larynx, or voice box, are student initially visited condition worse. There were and therapeutically treating targeted, according to the Dominianni on set to watch nights where I just couldn’t eke a variety of vocal problems. National Institute on Deafness him work and provided him out the words.” She teaches speech-language and Other Communication with vocal training on WMU’s pathology and privately Viewers noticed. So did his Disorders. Instead of producing campus to help ease the self- practices, and she has worked bosses. He tried everything he a continuous air stream imposed strain on his vocal at WMU for 27 years. Previously, could think of, and lots that vibrates the cords for cords. But because the news she served as a senior speech- of methods that were sound production, the cords never stops, his phrenetic language pathologist for suggested to him, but no involuntarily spasm, which schedule didn’t make it easy to Bronson Methodist Hospital amount of hot tea brought his causes voice breaks and a squeeze in sessions. in Kalamazoo. voice back to its easygoing and strained tone. unbreakable normalcy. “THROUGHOUT THIS Meanwhile, Rehm suggested Ironically, Dominianni also then there may be something PROCESS, WHENEVER Three occurrences gave developed a compensatory more at play than muscle Dominianni his biggest breaks: muscle tension dysphonia HE WAS ON AIR, I DID tension dysphonia, which connecting with Douglas- because of the unnatural MY BEST TO WATCH was Dominianni’s original, Vogley, whom an acquaintance physical methods he was using inaccurate diagnosis. HIM WHEN I COULD Heidi Douglas-Vogley, a of his recommended; reaching to keep his voice from breaking master faculty specialist in and straining. MTD causes vocal AND SENT HIM REAL- Western Michigan University’s out to retired American public As he continued to seek Department of Speech, Language quality changes, discomfort in TIME TEXT MESSAGES radio star Diane Rehm, who medical help, Dominianni and Hearing Sciences in the the neck or throat, voice fatigue studio with news anchor Andy has also had vocal difficulties; ultimately returned close ABOUT WHAT HE and other speaking problems, Dominianni, in background. and finally receiving an to where his problems NEEDED TO DO TO Douglas-Vogley worked with according to Weill Cornell Dominianni at the studio and accurate diagnosis. suddenly began. A Channel Medicine’s Sean Parker Institute FIX HIS VOICE ON THE in her clinical office to help him 3 viewer, as well as another recover his voice. Douglas-Vogley, a tearful for the Voice. SPOT,” DOUGLAS- local otolaryngologist, Dominianni says, “couldn’t have recommended he see VOGLEY SAYS. been nicer. She couldn’t have “I was recruiting other muscles Dr. Adam Rubin, in St. Clair been more understanding. She to force sound out however I In person, traditional vocal Shores, north of Detroit. said ‘I know what you’ve been could,” Dominianni explains. training continued, and “we The laryngologist, whose going through. I had a similar “I did everything but stand on also addressed the whole office walls are adorned speech problem myself.’ Come my head to make sound come notion of stress management with autographed photos of and see me.’ ”Her compassion, out. I remember tensing all the and relaxation as it impacts world-famous singers and he says, contrasted with the muscles in my stomach, my laryngeal function,” she notes. other vocal performers he has frustration, fear and alienation legs, certainly my neck to just The pair concentrated on successfully treated, finally specific sounds that gave

34 wmich.edu/magazine Figures of Speech 35 Dominianni the most difficulty; muscle lives. That paralyzes the summer humming through help someone and appreciative two of those were words that muscle,” which then prevents gripping narratives about the of the experiential learning begin with the letters ‘h’ and ‘a,’ the vocal cords from spasming, ship that transported parts of opportunity. which meant that his signature he explains. the world’s first nuclear bomb evening newscast greeting for detonation in Hiroshima and The university setting, WMU speech therapist and professor Heidi Douglas-Vogley points Douglas-Vogley works with news anchor for and his own name were nearly RESETTING EVERYTHING about organized crime. WWMT-TV Channel 3 Andy Dominianni in out, paved the way for a impossible to utter. Proper The medical interventions the Unified Clinics at WMU. Andy’s diagnosis Dominianni also used this more pliable approach to of Spasmodic Dysphonia is one of many coordination of breathing were essential, but after more disorders that receive treatment through time to improve his diet, Dominianni’s treatment. with voice production was than a year of straining his the Voice, Swallowing, Respiration and and adopt other healthier Resonance Clinical Laboratory. essential. Also used was “straw body to try to force his voice lifestyle changes. “The advantages of us being phonation,” a strategy that to work, Dominianni says he able to work with him are, we keeps the throat, voice and had to relearn how to talk and “I kind of just decided I have the flexibility to spend a larynx more open. safely project his voice for work was going to hit reset on little more time, to be a little purposes. This last piece of Unlike most people, who everything,” he says. more creative, to be able to call the puzzle, he says, involved take their ability to speak for in outside resources and to not time, perseverance, some Dominianni also knew this granted, Dominianni must now feel the pressure that I think we unorthodox vocal methods was his last chance to keep consciously think about how might feel if we were working and isolation at the remote his job. If his recovery wasn’t he breathes and uses muscles within the rigid confines family cottage. The time alone, markedly noticeable, if his voice in order to use and protect of a non-university based he says, enabled him to set continued to falter, he was his voice. He has adopted the outpatient center,” Douglas- aside everyday responsibilities certain he would be reassigned professional singer’s technique Vogley says. and distractions that would’ve to a different position or of breathing diaphragmatically encroached on his vocal dismissed. Therefore, for the “And, we were able to have the and intentionally avoids quick retraining. last two weeks of his 10-week advantage of being able to see catch breaths and chest and work leave, he returned to him live, doing his job,” and shoulder raising while he’s Armed with an extensive Douglas-Vogley, who went with “give him some direct, relevant speaking (on air and otherwise) homework list of daily vocal him to the set to practice in his feedback related to what he’s to maintain a normal, exercises and a stack of books natural work environment. doing,” she says. continuous tonal flow. that he’d always wanted to read, he voluntarily sequestered Douglas-Vogley also recruited Also helping matters was that From a medical standpoint, himself from everyone, a handful of graduate students Dominianni was “a wonderfully Dominianni was prescribed including his wife and children, to help with a specific advocacy compliant client” who “was resorted to texting and emailing a platform for people to offer Western Michigan University oral medication to help ease for nearly two monthsto project for Dominianni, which a delight to work with,” friends and family during his support and encouragement. allows me the opportunity to the MTD, and Botox to address recover. For eight hours each compiled vocal improvement Douglas-Vogley says. “He’s an long stay at the cabin. be able to make those impacts the ABSD component. The SPEAKING OF PROGNOSIS day, he concentrated on proof. appreciative, kind person.” in people’s lives.” Botox injections he receives A bout of influenza physically this goal. Although obviously treatable, “I’ll never stop being grateful approximately every three set him back and was With the support network “I asked his employer to The time off, the exercises ABSD is not curable. Dominianni to her,” Dominianni says of months are “as fun as they emotionally more taxing he’s cultivated and with the The books, he says, were less forward several clips over a and the intensive speech will have to receive treatment Douglas-Vogley. “There was sound,” he says. on him than it otherwise concession he’s willing to make, for enjoyment and more for span of about six months to me therapy that Douglas-Vogley for the remainder of his life to no magic pill, but because she vocal therapy. Rather than so that my graduate students provided worked. keep speaking. would’ve been. Dominianni is hopeful that he “They numb your larynx with was nice and understanding, I reading them, he hummed could listen to him, analyze can remain as a news anchor this awful medicine that makes At one point, Dominianni, at wanted to get better for her.” through the tomes to retrain his and assess,” Douglas-Vogley “I still have to do some vocal Other difficulties remain. For for several years. you feel like you’re drowning,” Douglas-Vogley’s suggestion, voice to properly use air flow. says. “We were then able to function drills every day, neck many ABSD sufferers, including “I think that’s why any of us get Dominianni says. “In about 20 decided to publicly detail “Where do I go from here? I’m Two nonfiction works—one send them a graphic picture of stretches and things that just Dominianni, mundane acts into this field. We hope that seconds, you think you’re dying some of his vocal challenges not going anywhere,” he says. about the U.S.S. Indianapolis the measurable progress that kind of relax these muscles such as talking on the phone we can make a measurable even though you know you’re for viewers. The explanation “I’m staying right here and and another about the mafia he actually had achieved.” The because they tend to tense and ordering at a drive-through difference in somebody’s life,” not. And then they shoot Botox helped both them and him doing what I want to do.” —served Dominianni’s vocal students thought the project up, but I would say that my window are impossible; he says Douglas-Vogley. “I feel like ■ all the way through your Adam’s close the divide, and it provided purposes. He may be the only was “fun and exciting,” she says, voice is almost perfect,” says apple into the back of your person who has spent a and were glad they could Dominianni. neck where the thyroarytenoid

36 wmich.edu/magazine Figures of Speech 37 Expert Insights

On one hand, “seclusion and silence are outside of class; in other words, Orbe’s pedagogy have resulted in hundreds of the enemies of engaging taboo topics in students leave his course knowing how articles, chapters, books and presentations. meaningful ways,” says Orbe. Some are to talk about politics, abortion and the loath to express disagreement with those Second Amendment without getting into Many Taboo Topics veterans say their course they’re stuck at home with. The occasional a shouting match. experiences changed them for the better insistence to accentuate the positives and and provided them with some of their most ignore the negatives, or to embrace the To achieve “dialogic moments” with shared valuable college takeaways. Westernized masculine notion to never meaning, listening and silence are just as important as questioning, Orbe explains. “This was the top course that transformed show weakness, also contributes to power my thinking, that I can easily draw from in struggles, he says. “How can we use communication in a everyday life,” says alumnus Jonathan Pulley, On the other hand, some are opening up powerfully affirmative way and not in a who serves as a W.K. Kellogg Foundation more within the digital realm than they Machiavellian way where you’re trying to Racial Equity Program officer. “One thing I normally would in person. Orbe describes dominate others?” he asks. drew from this class is, I can be who I am, but one transformative online group interaction I honor and respect people with different This embrace of respectful and productive experiences who believe differently.” Taboo topics course uses dialogue with men from different parts of the country dialogue also meshes with WMU’s spring in which they discussed a member’s semester series called “We Talk: Embracing “Family secrets, race, faith and religion, recent suicide. Free Speech and Civil Discourse,” an death, interracial romantic relationships, to break through barriers “I have had several similar interactions inclusive effort targeted toward helping kinks/sex/masturbation and fear were just where people have broken the taboos us realize our similarities while appreciating a few of the topics we discussed,” says around discussions related to death, mental our differences. alumna Hailey Mangrum, who is now the HOW DO SUBJECTS SUCH AS SEX, RELGION AND Such nontraditional assistant director of leadership development health and emotional vulnerability,” Orbe Years ago, Orbe noticed a glaring gap learning, which requires says. “In this regard, the pandemic has for fraternity and sorority life at Virginia SUICIDE RELATE TO RESPECTFUL DISCOURSE? AS non-judgmental in communication course content—the Tech. She now knows how to “set up a seemed to bring people closer together and toughest subjects pertaining to subjects STUDENTS IN DR. MARK ORBE’S COMMUNICATING expression, strong facilitated an openness with others that space for dialogue…, engage people from curiosity and a willingness such as race, sex and spirituality profoundly opposite ends of the spectrum and help ABOUT TABOO TOPICS COURSE DISCOVER, THESE wasn’t always there. Death has a way impact people, but they’re not addressed in to be vulnerable, can be of doing that.” folks understand the negotiations we make SEEMINGLY DISPARATE CONCEPTS BECOME tinged with discomfort, classrooms. So, he designed Taboo Topics every day based on the intersections of our confusion, hilarity and Communicating About Taboo Topics has a from scratch, and has taught it every fall for identity,” she says. INTERDEPENDENT WHEN IT COMES TO THE Dr. Mark Orbe significant personal similar effect. the past 11 years. Claire Hernandez, a senior who took DEEPEST OF DIALOGUE-BASED DISCOVERIES. IN connection, sometimes all within the same Orbe’s work has since inspired similar class session. People laugh, cry, blush “This class is about mutual understanding” the course in fall 2019, focused her final THE PROCESS, STUDENTS AND THE INSTRUCTOR that’s not predicated upon persuasion; one classes offered at Indiana University and the project on an impromptu conversation she and get angry. Disruption is the norm. University of Alabama, and it has captured OPEN THEMSELVES UP TO TRANSFORMATIVE Confessions are common. can comprehend a particular stance without had with a friend who admitted she was agreeing with it, Orbe says. His mantra and national recognition. In summer 2018, contemplating suicide. Hernandez used EXPERIENCES THAT INCREASE THEIR COMPASSION Orbe refers to the classroom for this course greeting, which helps set the proper tone, is the National Communication Association her listening, empathetic and critical LEVEL WHEN IT COMES TO VIEWPOINTS THEY as “the brave space rather than the safe “dumela.” Derived from Botswana and South (the largest organization in the discipline) thinking skills she’d gleaned from Taboo space.” The timid or stubborn need not Africa, it means: “I believe in you, I affirm you, selected him to lead a weeklong teaching Topics to ensure her friend felt safe, VEHEMENTLY OPPOSE. apply, yet anyone can use and benefit from and I see great potential in you.” workshop on Communicating About Taboo supported and heard. these practical lessons. Topics to faculty members from across The course is also about attaining learner- the country. As for Orbe, he says he hopes to teach Taboo The current pandemic and its accompanying centered empowerment, as inspired by Topics as long as he can remain a student- socioeconomic, health and political rifts, the late Brazilian educator Paulo Friere’s “Our world is increasingly diverse on so teacher who is learning along with his pupils. Orbe says, are now lending even more critical pedagogy advocacy. Questioning many different levels, and unless we’re relevance to the necessity for respectful authority, established beliefs and the status teaching the skills on how to understand, “Dare I say, if we give students the dialogue that addresses subjects typically quo are course imperatives. Why do U.S. we’re never going to have communication, opportunity to teach us, they will teach not discussed. Measures meant to decrease Americans avoid discussing the active stages which requires sustained shared meaning. us. I’m not the only teacher,” says Orbe. COVID-19's spread, such as social distancing of death? Why are miscarriages kept secret? We’re never going to have intercultural “There’s a certain cultural humility that has and quarantining, are profoundly influencing Course participants dive into such turbulent communication,” says Orbe, whose to come in here from everyone. All of us has interaction and even heightening the taboo conversation waters, which lays the intersectional interests in communication, something to learn.” ■ nature of certain topics. foundation for having healthy discussions culture, race and qualitative research and

38 wmich.edu/magazine Expert Insights 39 Classnotes

Thomas Hutchison, Ron Bailey, BSE ‘80, is David de Velder, BS Abby Reeg, MA Andrew Brown, Dana Stachowiak, Randy Gist, BM ‘09, on Westin Brake, BBA BS’ 67, was appointed global vice president of ‘90, joined Wolverine ‘93, began her BBA ‘99, was named BS ‘03, was appointed alto saxophone, and ‘12, joined Bridge Bank executive director of sales and marketing for Building Group of role as director of assistance finance director of the Women’s Blake Cross, BM ‘15, in the Silicon Valley, Genesee County Habitat SmartPlug Systems in Kentwood, Michigan, as advancement for director for the Village of Studies and Resource on tenor saxophone, California, region as a for Humanity in Flint, Seattle, Washington. project manager. Exalta Health in Grand Tinley Park, Illinois. Center at the University played in a set with the portfolio manager in its Michigan. Rapids, Michigan, a of North Carolina- Jonas Brothers at the equity fund resources Phyllis Goetz (Kurtz), Jeri Meola, MA Dan Crabtree, BBA 50 Most Influential Women ‘90, founder of EGL nonprofit that provides ‘99, was appointed Wilmington. 62nd annual Grammy group. L. Graham Ward, ‘68, BS ‘81, was promoted to healthcare to uninsured, Awards. director of the Center president of Kimball, a ACE Research, was vice president of Cherise Brandell, PhD Leadriane Roby, PhD recognized in the underinsured and global supply chain ‘03, is director of library , BS ‘09, ‘12, was selected as for the Study and furniture manufacturer underserved families. Shawntes Gary Resolution of Conflict based out of Jasper, Minnesota Women for Meritor Inc. in Troy, and community services opened FitStop24 Old 20 superintendent of Grand in West Michigan for 2020 at the WMU-Cooley Law Indiana. Business Owners Hall Rosemary Anger, BS Michigan, a global for the city of Sunnyvale, West in Elkhart, Indiana, Rapids (Michigan) Public School, was voted by of Fame. The program, ‘94, MA ‘03, earned supplier of drivetrain, California. a 24-hour fitness Schools. led by the Minnesota mobility braking and the faculty as recipient a Michigan Master , BA ‘04, franchise. , Chapter of the National Assessing Officer aftermarket solutions Bob Bales Bella Hounakey of the Frederick Griffith principal of McDougle Jerusa Carvajal- BA ‘15, MSW ‘18, was III award, Adjunct Association of Women designation from the for commercial vehicle Regional business publication Grand Business Owners, and industrial markets. Middle School, was Villamar, MA ‘09, PhD appointed by President Professor of the Year, Michigan State Tax named the 2019-20 ‘17, assistant professor Donald Trump to the Rapids Business Journal named six 2019-20. honors the state’s Commission. She is Kyle Gernhofer, BS most successful female Principal of the Year for of Spanish at Ouachita U.S. Advisory Council on a property specialist ‘00, had his software the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Baptist University, Human Trafficking for a WMU alumni as “50 Most Influential Dave Custer, BA ‘69, entrepreneurs. with the Michigan CEO and founder of company, DenScore City Schools (North presented a paper at two-year term. Women in West Michigan” for 2020. David Anderson, BBA Department of Treasury. Inc., recently chosen as the biennial meeting Custer Inc., received the Carolina) district. Molly (McCallister) American Association ‘91, was elected mayor Robert Herrera, MA one of eight insurance of the Society for the of the city of Kalamazoo. technology companies Brad Bergmooser, BA MacGirr, BA ‘15, is of Community Colleges’ ‘94, EdD ‘10, has started ‘04, is chief executive Amazonian and Andean director of marketing These honorees were profiled in 2020 Outstanding as superintendent for to participate in the Studies, hosted by the 2020 Global Insurance officer of Financial Plus and communications the 50 Most Influential Magazine Alumni Award. Farmington (Michigan) Credit Union in Flint, University of Alabama. at TraverseConnect, Public Schools. Accelerator cohort, a supplement, published in the Grand Dennis M. Nally, BBA 100-day mentor-driven Michigan. Adam Clay, PhD ‘09, the parent organization , BA was appointed director of the Traverse City ‘74. is independent Courts Aimee Guthat business accelerator Scott W. Malott, Rapids Business Journal director of Amerisource ‘95, joined national program intended to BBA ‘04, a lawyer of the Center for Writers, (Michigan) Area Bergen Corporation Craig R. Courts, BBA workplace law firm the center for graduate Chamber of Commerce. for a recognition event March 4. ’83, MBA ’91, is the new foster innovation. with Plunkett Cooney in Valley Forge, Jackson Lewis P.C. as a study of creative writing , PhD president of Glacier Brad Haverkamp, MBA in Bloomfield Hills, Brandon Krieg The biannual event drew 850 Pennsylvania. principal in Detroit. Michigan, was named within the School of ‘15, assistant professor Hills senior community ‘00, Chemical Bank’s Humanities at the people in 2018. Frank Calvaruso, BS’ in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Tracy Liz Miller, BFA lakeshore community as a “Rising Star” in of English for Kutztown ‘95, is director of Michigan Super Lawyers University of Southern (Pennsylvania) 76 , is the national and vice president of president, was added Mississippi. sales manager for the Ann Arbor region education for Saratoga as a board member & Rising Stars, published University, published StrategyShares ETFS for Trinity Health Senior Shakespeare Company for Community Action by Thomson Reuters. Stephanie Hampton, his third award-winning in Saratoga Springs, BA ‘10, MA ‘14, a teacher collection of poetry, in Ponte Verda Beach, Communities. House in Holland, Andrew Martin, BBA Lynn L. Chen-Zhang Florida. New York. at Kalamazoo Public “Magnifier,” this past David A. Miller, BS Corl Michigan. ‘05, joined the Citizens WMU Honorees , BS ‘95, Schools’ Maple Street December. “Magnifier,” ‘84, is the National Brad Misner Angela King, BA ‘01, is National Bank financial , BS was hired as community services team as a Magnet School, was published by the Center Discovery market leader Christina L. Corl program coordinator for named the state’s top for Literary Publishing • Lynn L. Chen-Zhang, MSA 91, member of the WMU Board for architectural firm ‘91, a partner with development director of Glen Oaks Community financial services Plunkett Cooney, was Benicia, California. officer, responsible for English teacher by the at Colorado State BSA Life Structures in College’s partnership Michigan Council of University, is the winner of Trustees, certified financial planner and certified public Overland Park, Kansas. elected chair of the Paula Fender, MBA agricultural programs expanding investment Columbus (Ohio) Bar management services in Teachers of English. of the 2019 Colorado accountant, as well as partner, chief operating officer and ‘95, is president and with Michigan State Prize for Poetry. Scott Leighton, BBA Association’s Judicial northern Michigan. Dashuna Robinson, BA ‘87, joined Houston, CEO of Centier Bank in University Institute of chief compliance officer with Zhang Financial. She also is vice Screening Committee Merrillville, Indiana. Agricultural Technology. , BS ‘05, ‘10, was appointed as Alexis Lenderman, Texas-based US LED as for a one-year term Derek Barker trustee to the Benton BA ‘19, BBA ‘19, was president of the WMU Foundation Board. president. Angelica Grindle, MA Derik Rynearson, BBA is seeing patients as a ending Jan. 1, 2021. physician at Podiatry Harbor (Michigan) awarded two grants Mary DeBoer, BA ‘89, ‘96, PhD ‘02, joined ‘01, MS ‘07, is a partner Area Schools Board of totaling $3,250 from the John Ambrose, BS ‘92, DEKRA Organizational at accounting firm Associates of Bluffton • Amanda Fielder, BA ‘02, partner with Grand Rapids, Michigan- was appointed by was named director (South Carolina). Education. Business Development Safety and Reliability in Beene Garter in Grand Fund from the city of Indiana Gov. Eric J. of undergraduate John Harshbarger, BS based law firm Warner Norcross and Judd. Holcomb to the Porter Oxnard, California, as Rapids, Michigan. Shaun Houck, BSE ‘06, Kalamazoo for her Prawdzik admissions for Michigan vice president of client director of operations ‘10, senior firefighter County Circuit Court. State University in East Shane Rodgers, BBA for the Farmington scholarship business, Steven M. Prawdzik, engagement. 02, MS ‘02, was named for OCG Operations, was The Scholarship Expert. • Birgit Klohs, BBA ‘83, president and chief executive officer Brian Allen, BA ‘90, is Lansing, Michigan. inducted into the Hall of Hills (Michigan) Fire BBA ‘77, MBA ‘81, is vice president of sales Shannon Anderson Alt, vice president of finance Department, was Melanie Hight, BS ‘19, the host of The Sports Ray Zilke, BBA ‘93, BA ‘97, is vice president, and accounting for eye Fame for Lakeland High of The Right Place Inc., the regional economic development and marketing for XACT leads the newly created School (Michigan). selected 2018 Firefighter a flight instructor with Project radio show on Robotics in Hingham, general counsel and care company Blue Sky of the Year by the OpenAir, was one of organization for western Michigan. She also is a past chair of the WYGR 94.9/99.5 FM in health care financial corporate secretary Vision in Grand Rapids, , MBA ‘06, Massachusetts. services division for Troy Butler Farmington/Farmington four recipients of a 2020 Grand Rapids, Michigan. for Amerisure Mutual Michigan. is director of business Hills Optimist Club. Leadership Scholarship WMU Board of Trustees. Brian Janssen, BS ‘90, Crestmark financial Insurance Company development at law firm Fred Smith, BS ‘78, of services company in , BS ’10, from the National is business banking in Farmington Hills, Thacker Sleight in Grand Brittany Karnes Business Aviation Stevensville, Michigan, manager at TCF National Franklin, Tennessee. of Allen Park, Michigan, • Michelle LaJoye-Young, MPA ‘92, Kent County sheriff since was recognized by the Michigan. Rapids, Michigan. Association’s Business Bank, supporting , has written “A Hunter’s National Federation Anthony Paul Davis Jason Keiswetter, BBA Caitlin Lester-Sams, Fate,” the first in a Aviation Management November 2018. western Michigan for the BS ‘93, is director of the Committee. of State High School Detroit-based financial ‘98, was promoted to BFA ‘07, appeared as science fiction trilogy Associations during the Department of Parks president of Petoskey Mrs. Bucket, Charlie institution. and Recreation for written under the name • Wendy Sellers, BS ‘92, MA ‘03, consultant, author, speaker and 50th National Athletic (Michigan) Plastics. Bucket’s mother, in B. K. Rae. Directors Conference in the city of Marathon, the Broadway-touring owner of The HR Lady consultant firm. December 2019. Retiring Florida. musical production of in 2017, Smith worked Roald Dahl’s “Charlie a total of 38 years as and the Chocolate • Diana R. Sieger, BS ‘73, MSW ‘78, president of the Grand a teacher, coach and Factory” at the Detroit Rapids Community Foundation who has held numerous other administrator for St. Opera House. Joseph Lake Michigan leadership positions in the Grand Rapids area. Catholic Schools, Send submissions to: [email protected]. Include your name (first, middle, last, maiden), degree(s), Comstock Public year(s) graduated and a daytime phone number by which we can reach you. We will publish photos as space permits. Schools, Buchanan Community Schools and Benton Harbor Area Schools.

40 wmich.edu/magazine 41 In Memoriam

Mary Ida Margaret Burnadean Raymond E. Fausel, BS John E. Bargo, BS ‘58, Kenneth E. Clay, BS Richard J. Goebel, Gordon Hal Lorraine Shirley Kigar, Phyllis Jean (DeRy) Charles Eugene Linda Merriam Danny, Claribel M. Ruimveld, (Austin) Hunt, BS ‘40, (Bingaman) Trimner, ‘54, Nov. 8, 2019, West MA ‘64, Oct. 10, 2019, ‘61, Aug. 20, 2019, Three MA ‘64, Nov. 27, 2019, Leffingwell, BBA ‘66, BA ‘68, MA ‘78, Jan. 31, Winston, BA ‘70, Jan. 15, Herman, BS ‘73, Oct. 22, BA ‘76, Sept. 5, 2019, BS ‘79, MA ‘81, Dec. 6, MA ‘65, Jan. 4, 2020, BA ‘49, Feb. 4, 2020, Covina, CA Kalamazoo Rivers, MI Hickory Corners, MI Sept. 5, 2019, New Port 2020, Big Rapids, MI 2020, Kalamazoo 2019, Vandala, MI Walker, MI 2019, Kalamazoo Battle Creek, MI Kalamazoo Richey, FL Thelma Elaine Horner, Ray Douglas Harbour, Patricia Lou (McAnully) Allen L. Jacobsen, BBA Patrick William Mary Elizabeth (Klitch) Paul Phillip Husza, Jack A. Demaagd, Lineas L. Baze, BA ‘80, Barbara Jeanne Tom James Contes, Secretarial Certificate BS ‘58, MA ‘61, Oct. 1, Kraai, BS ‘61, Nov. 1, ‘64, Aug. 27, 2019, Casa Mary Josephine McGuire, BA ‘68, Sept. 2, Atherly, BBA ‘71, TC ‘71, BS ‘73, Nov. 30, 2019, MSA ‘76, Oct. 19, 2019, Nov. 17, 2019, Jackson, (Taylor) Birch, BA ‘42, BS ‘50, Dec. 22, 2019, ‘54, Sept. 17, 2019, 2019, Portage, MI 2019, Lemont, IL Grande, AZ (Herman) Livingston, 2019, Stevensville, MI Oct. 21, 2019, Ames, IA Linden, MI Kalamazoo MI Oct. 27, 2019, Southfield, Chicago IL Elkhart, IN , , BA ‘66, Aug. 25, 2019, , BBA , MI William F. Hestwood David L. Krieger Barbara Joyce (Hatch) Columbia, NC John E. McNab Gayle Genevieve Rita Myrl (Rotzien) Gary James Goodman Gabriele Ruth Roy Crawford Jr., BA Jean A. (Acuna) Wank, BS ‘58, MA ‘66, Oct. 23, BBA ‘61, Oct. 11, 2019, Korhorn, BS ‘64, Jan. 14, ‘68, Nov. 3, 2019, Lake (Gervais) Bakita, BS ‘71, Layher, BS ‘73, TC ‘55, BS ‘76, Dec. 5, 2019, Bay (Puetter) Hahn, MA Lillian A. Jones, BS ‘42, ‘50, MA ‘54, Sept. 24, BA ‘54, Oct. 13, 2019, 2019, Jackson, MI Stevensville, MI 2020, Grand Rapids, MI Larry Eugene Norris, Orion, MI Oct. 26, 2019, Mattawan, Dec. 13, 2019, Niles, MI City, MI ‘80, Oct. 25, 2019, Jan. 22, 2020, Battle 2019, Tuscaloosa, AL Diamondale, MI BS , BBA ‘66, Oct. 27, 2019, MI , BS ‘73, , Kalamazoo Creek, MI Mary Lou (Copp) Thomas V. Meisel, James M. Leisher Paw Paw, MI Frances Laura (Barker) Jerry Lee Lyon Katherine P. Greeley Floyd S. Green Jr., BS Robert G. Bloomquist, Hewson, BA ‘58, Sept. 5, ‘61, Oct. 17, 2019, Bay BS ‘64, Sept. 20, 2019, Pease, BA ‘68, TC ‘51, Lloyd K. Bloomer, BS Nov. 17, 2019, Aurora, CO MA ‘76, Oct. 19, 2019, Fredrick John Anna Marie (Schmidt) ‘50, Nov. 6, 2019, Venice, BS ‘55, Dec. 18, 2019, 2019, St. Claire Shores, City, MI Tawas, MI Arvida Kay (Erlandson) Dec. 9, 2019, Bellevue, MI ‘71, MA ‘73, Specialty Marquette, MI Sterenberg, MSW ‘80, , BS ‘43, Oct. 18, FL Kalamazoo, MI MI , BA ‘66, Nov. 28, Program Alcohol and Evelyn Rose (Papes) Nov. 29, 2019, Grand Bush Lynda M. (Myron) Julia Anne Luttrell, Price William C. Sweet, Malcomnson, BA ‘73, Robert A. Hardies, 2019, Sturgis, MI , , BA ‘61, Nov. BA ‘64, Nov. 10, 2019, 2019, Kalamazoo BS ‘68, Nov. 13, 2019, Drug Abuse ‘00, Oct. 19, MA ‘80, Dec. 21, 2019, Big BBA ‘76, Aug. 12, 2019, Rapids, MI Phyllis Anne Carole Jane Nancy Rae Uithol Miotto 2019, Portage, MI Marian Alice (Fooy) (Malarney) Kiella, BS (Longnecker) Brown, BS ‘58, Oct. 23, 2019, 19, 2019, Saginaw Lansing, MI Roger L. Pulliam, Ph.D., Lapeer, MI Rapids, MI Northville Township, MI Kirtis Thomas, MA ‘80, , BS ‘43, Aug. 25, ‘50, TC ‘72, Dec. 27, 2019, BA ‘55, Oct. 5, 2019, Madison, IN Township, MI BS ‘66, MA ‘68, Feb. 12, Oct. 22, 2019, Wixom, MI Kipfer Penelope Elaine James William Leslie Ann (Tyler) Joann M. McClure, MLS William Kast, MBA 2019, Eagle Harbor, MI Allegan, MI Grand Rapids, MI , BA , , BA 2020, Whitewater, WI , BBA ‘69, Sept. Boeve, BS ‘71, Jan. 16, ‘73, Nov. 15, 2019, Sound ‘76, Nov. 27, 2019, , Donald Leo Wass William H. Rowekamp (Simnick) McNellis Bellinger 2020, Muskegon, MI R. Ann (Adams) Frasier Jeanette Irene Richard W. Kohls, Howard David Cripps, ‘58, MA ‘59, Jan. 25, 2020, MA ‘61, Sept. 12, 2019, ‘64, Jan. 9, 2020, Paw Albert Frank Reed, BBA 22, 2019, Kalamazoo Bend, IN Lakewood, CO BS ‘81, Oct. 26, 2019, , BS ‘43, BA ‘50, Aug. 22, 2019, BBA ‘55, Sept. 12, 2019, Dallas, TX Kalamazoo Paw, MI ‘66, MBA ‘67, Oct. 27, , BS Southfield, MI (Garbow) Rugg Gerald M. Stephen C. Fisher Donald Calvin Page, George Patrick Aug. 17, 2019, Largo, FL Beaver Island, MI Youngstown, AZ , , BA , 2019, St. Clair Shores, MI , BBA ‘69, ‘71, Oct. 18, 2019, Ann MA ‘73, Dec. 28, 2019, , BS ‘76, Dec. Lorraine Eula Wethy Jeanne Erhardt Robert Ian Morrison Boissonneault Arbor, MI McGrath Margaret E. (Barry) Marville Anna Frith, Violet (Wayne) Dorothy Ann (Kruse) BS ‘58, Sept. 9, 2019, ‘62, Aug. 30, 2019, Grand BS ‘64, Dec. 21, 2019, Stanley G. Robbins, Nov. 16, 2019, Saginaw, Nashville, TN 7, 2019 Kehoe, BBA ‘81, Nov. 17, BS ‘44, Nov. 16, 2019, , BS ‘50, Sept. , BS ‘55, Jan. 13, Lake Orion, MI Rapids, MI Traverse City, MI BS ‘66, Nov. 13, 2019, MI , BA 2019, Jenison, MI Palladino Gegel Edward J. Hauck Charles Davis Ranney, Sunil W. Telang, BBA Nashville, MI 6, 2019, Chicago, IL 2020, St. Louis, MO , BBA , , Hopkins, MI , BA ‘71, Dec. 14, 2019, Cocoa, BBA ‘73, Oct. 2, 2019, ‘76, Oct. 21, 2019, Donald L. Yircott Samuel J. Mazzer L. John Wenglarski Matteo Dinolfo FL Denise Marie Tilton Genevieve Parks Alice Porter, BA ‘50, Richard J. Podgornik, ‘58, Nov. 4, 2019, Benton BS ‘62, Sept. 21, 2019, BM ‘64, Sept. 7, 2019, Ruby Vera Snell, BS ‘66, ‘69, Aug. 29, 2019, Los Lake Forest, CA Jupiter, FL Norton, BA ‘81, Dec. 4, , BS ‘45, Feb. 8, Dec. 17, 2019, Grand BBA ‘55, Sept. 21, 2019, Harbor, MI Ravenna, MI Lansing, MI Nov. 25, 2019, Berrien Angeles, CA , BA ‘71, 2019, Chaska, MN Schmidt Kurt D. Kinde Jack Prescott Sage, BS Jeffery L. Washburn, 2020, Port Austin, MI Rapids, MI Orland Park, IL , BA . , BS Springs, MI , Nov. 22, 2019, Redford, ‘73, Dec. 8, 2019, Grand BBA ‘76, Nov. 24, 2019, Douglas A. Byam Walter S. Pattison Jr , Jeffrey Atkinson Mohamed H. El-Zehery MI Mary Margaret Elizabeth M. (Eshuis) Jean Ellen (Treash) William G. Rock, BA ‘55, ‘59, Jan. 19, 2019, Grand BA ‘62, Nov. 6, 2019, ‘65, Sept. 20, 2019, Moses Lee Walker, BA MLS ‘69, Jan. 28, 2020, Haven, MI Chandler, AZ Sullivan, BS ‘81, Sept. 3, , BS , Secretarial Jan. 11, 2020, Marysville, Rapids, MI Douglas, MI Holland, MI ‘66, MBA ‘90, Jan. 16, Lima, OH , MM ‘71, 2019, Ann Arbor, MI Anthony-Hughes Schmitt Mary Jo Litten Bonnie Jean (Peters) Robert David Berg, ‘46, Dec. 7, 2019, Green Certificate ‘50, Oct. 29, MI , , MA ‘62, , 2020, Kalamazoo , BA Dec. 8, 2019, Nevada, , BS ‘73, Aug. 21, BS ‘77, Dec. 7, 2019, , Valley, AZ 2019, Kalamazoo Dorothy Jean Helmer Jack D. Reamer Jon Michael Bosma Nancy Marie Flynn MO Walker John P. Zelenka M. Jane (Post) BS ‘59, Aug. 14, 2019, Dec. 17, 2019, Hillsdale, BS ‘65, MA ‘69, Sept. 27, Mardell Grace (Jacobs) ‘69, Aug. 25, 2019, Falls 2019, Boyne City, MI Kalamazoo MOT ‘81, Jan. 26, 2020, Kenneth C. Kolberg, Jane Elaine Weaver, Christensen, BA Grand Rapids, MI MI 2019, Three Rivers, MI Arent, MA ‘67, Sept. 11, Church, VA Joan Elizabeth , , BS ‘77, Florence, SC BS ‘46, MA ‘62, Sept. 15, TC ‘50, Sept. 22, 2019, ‘56, Dec. 22, 2019, 2019, Grand Rapids, MI , John Alden Badgerow Douglas E. Cline Joseph Charles Horak, James Wayne Gaines, Joseph A. Chrystler, Christine Ann Kelly, (Murray) Marquardt BBA ‘74, Oct. 4, 2019, Jan. 23, 2020, Grandville, John N. Cotzias, BS ‘82, 2019, Muskegon, MI Charlotte, MI Wetherfield, CT BBA ‘59, BS ‘54, Oct. 28, BBA ‘63, Oct. 15, 2019, BBA ‘65, Aug. 25, 2019, , BA ‘69, Nov. 4, 2019, BA ‘71, Jan. 30, 2020, Grand Rapids, MI MI Jan. 19, 2020, Grosse Joleen M. Buck Sterling Heights, MI Angeline Rosemary Raymond S. Zull, BS Warren Reip Engel, 2019, Mishawaka, IN Versailles, KY Mattawan, MI Secretarial Certificate Muskegon, MI Pointe, MI , BS ‘46, ‘50, Jan. 30, 2020, Battle BA ‘56, Jan. 28, 2020, ‘67, Sept. 16, 2019, Wake , Peg (Wood) Velvie Celeste (Smith) (Zull) Pruis Gilbert B. Leach, Dewie D. Jordan, BS Ellen Marie (True) Charles R. LeMaster, Barbara Jean White Edmondson, BA ‘74, Green, BBA ‘77, MA Donald F. Drewiske, Sept. 1, 2019, Muncie, IN Creek, MI Indianapolis, IN BS ‘59, Oct. 20, 2019, ‘63, Dec. 9, 2019, Nuncia, , BS ‘65, Dec. Forest, NC MLS ‘69, Aug. 30, 2019, BS ‘71, MA ‘81, Nov. 23, MA ‘77, Oct. 23, 2019, ‘80, Feb. 1, 2020, Grand MA ‘82, Oct. 16, 2019, De Dingman 2019, Mattawan. MI Andrew L. Thomas, Margaret Emma Gordon H. Johnson, BBA Wappingers Falls, NY MI 30, 2019, Leonard, MI Karen Marie Sergeant Bluff, IA Kalamazoo Rapids, MI Pere, WI TC ‘46, Aug. 26, 2019, (Albrecht) Edwards, ‘56, Nov. 14, 2019, Grand , BS ‘63, , BBA ‘65, (Gunnette) Gardner, , Deborah (Linnan) , EdD , Coloma, MI BS ‘51, Aug. 16, 2019, Rapids, MI Robert Donald John D. Keller David Ebling BA ‘67, Dec. 18, 2019, Sheryl A. (Green) Riggs , BA ‘72, Nov. 21, William D. Hooley Emanuel Harwood Annie Lorraine Nanninga, BS ‘59, Nov. 5, 2019, Rochester, Dec. 19, 2019, Detroit, MI BA ‘69, Dec. 24, 2019, Adams ‘74, Dec. 7, 2019, New BS ‘77, Jan. 26, 2020, Robinson, BSW ‘82, Aug. , BA Riverside, CA MA ‘63, Nov. 28, 2019, MI Edmond. OK Toledo, OH 2019, Grand Rapids, MI Paris, IN Norton Shores, MI 7, 2019, Battle Creek, MI Helen Goff-Metzgar Doris Ruth (Watkins) Susan E. Guyer, BS ‘65, ‘47, Oct. 5, 2019, Battle Barbara J. Kehoe, BA ‘56, MA ‘71, Holland, MI , Oct. 29, 2019, Holland, Lewis John Haeck, MBA , Barbara Ellen Donley, , , MSW Creek, MI , BS ‘51, Dec. 24, 2019, Coldwater, Virginia Mae Lee ‘67, Jan. 26, 2020, Grand Hisko Timmermans BS ‘72, Sept. 29, 2019, Timothy Alan Spencer Theodore C. Nancy Lou Bolt Rensenhouse Harold Ross Cherry, BA ‘63, Oct. 20, 2019, MI BS ‘69, Nov. 30, 2019, BBA ‘74, Sept. 4, 2019, Schumann, BBA ‘77, ‘83, Nov. 14, 2019, Grand , MA ‘58, Oct. 19, 2019, MI MA ‘60, Dec. 27, 2019, Kalamazoo Rapids, MI Vicksburg, MI South Lyon, MI Davison, MI Jan. 17, 2020, Ann Arbor, Rapids, MI William A. Hendriksen Hastings, MI George Kopek, BS ‘65, BA ‘47, Sept. 13, 2019, Donna Mae (Bush) Huntington, Indiana , Nov. 27, 2019, Highland, Bonnie Lee Heminger, , BS ‘69, Charles E. Raab, BBA , MI Kalamazoo , BS ‘52, , BA ‘56, Oct. 2, Gordon O. Schlafmann BA ‘67, MA ‘80, Oct. 30, Marc D. Yunker ‘72, Nov. 6, 2019, Ann Michael W. Steele Larry Lyle Burns, Donald Brinks Treloar Victor Joseph Joos Jr., MA ‘63, Dec. 7, 2019, MI Nov. 20, 2019, Sturgis, MI BS ‘74, Jan. 3, 2020, Judith L. (Kirsch) Van BA ‘83, Dec. 9, 2019, MA ‘57, Nov. 30, 2019, 2019, Amherst, MA BA ‘60, Oct. 25, 2019, Weston, WI 2019, Redford, MI Arbor, MI Scottsdale, AZ , BA ‘77, Oct. Kalamazoo Edith Elaine (Klenk) Kalamazoo John Gordon Mackie, Peter W. Cain, BS ‘70, Solkema Persing, BS ‘47, MA Richard N. VanBuren, Milton, NH , BA ‘63, BS ‘65, Sept. 10, 2019, James Melvin, BM ‘67, Nov. 7, 2019, Wabash, Jerome Thomas Root, 19, 2019, Kalamazoo , ‘68, Oct. 4, 2019, Grand , BS ‘56, Sept. 16, 2019, James S. Selmo Nov. 25, 2019, Ashley, MI BBA ‘72, Jan. 15, 2020, Jewell M. (Mitchell) Roberta Marie Poole Donald G. Burge Donald J. Kula, BBA ‘60, Aug. 10, 2019, Loudon, Buchanan, MI Indiana Street, BBA ‘74, MA Vonda M. Essenburg, MA ‘83, Sept. 5, 2019, Haven, MI BS ‘52, Nov. 16, 2019, Macon, MI MBA ‘65, Dec. 24, 2019, TN , Kalamazoo ‘92, Dec. 21, 2019, MSW ‘78, Oct. 20, 2019, Grand Rapids, MI Plainwell, MI Fran(k) Owen Carol Jane Paupore Jane Rose (Rose) Mariell Betty (Sabo) Darlene Bell (Whalen) Hinsdale, IL , , BA ‘65, Dec. BA ‘67, Nov. 8, 2019, , BS ‘70, Oct. 1, Lois Anne (Smith) Kalamazoo Grand Rapids, MI , BA , TC ‘48, Jan. 27, , , BA Ronald Timothy Smith McCauley Battle Creek, MI Cleave , BA ‘72, MA E. Adelaide Wiley Gazdag M. Celeste Happel Donaldson Eugene Judy Leffel, BS MA ‘63, Oct. 31, 2019, 17, 2019, St. Joseph, MI 2019, Rice Lake, MN Schmidt Joyce Lavern (Jackson) Patrick G. Lewis, ‘84, MFA ‘87, Sept. 27, 2020, San Antonio, TX BS ‘52, Aug. 28, 2019, ‘57, Sept. 22, 2019, ‘60, MA ‘67, Feb. 1, 2020, Panama City, FL , ‘77, Nov. 19, 2019, , BS ‘75, Sept. 16, MA ‘78, Dec. 10, 2019, 2019, Taylor, MI Eugene, OR Bloomfield Hills, MI Dean George Slagel, Myron Albert Preston Richard E. DeFreese, Kalamazoo Dean Juanita E. (Overby) Kalamazoo , BS ‘63, MA ‘65, Sept. 14, 2019, BBA ‘67, Oct. 24, 2019, MBA ‘70, Sept. 2, 2019, 2019, Rochester Hills, MI Charlotte, MI , PhD , BS ‘48, , Vance C. Swope Roswell, GA , Janel K. Harris Goodwin Janette D. (Miller) Mary Esther Smitter Robert E. Maes Jr., BBA MA ‘70, Jan. 28, 2020, Elkhart, IN Grand Rapids, MI Stanley L. Sunnock William C. Durr, MA ‘75, William F. McCormack, ‘85, Dec. 12, 2019, MA ‘57, Feb. 12, 2020, Sherman, BS ‘52, Nov. 7, BA ‘57, Jan. 31, 2020, BBA ‘72, Nov. 22, 2019, ‘60, Sept. 17, 2019, South Plainwell, MI , Roger M. Schlosser, BA Sept. 25, 2019, Grand BS ‘78, Feb. 6, 2020, Macomb, IL Kalamazoo 2019, Alexandria, VA Grand Rapids, MI Haven, MI Dorothy M. Zimmerlee ‘67, MA ‘69, Nov. 9, 2019, Lois Anne (Johnson) Climax, MI Rapids, MI Grand Rapids, MI Richard Louis Baldwin, BA ‘65, MA ‘69, Oct. 3, Foster, BS ‘70, Jan. 27, Elaine Ann Jason, Larue Hazel Kenney, Evonne Marilyn E. Gerald Thiel, BBA ‘57, , BA ‘64, MA ‘68, Dec. 5, 2019, Janesville, WI Grand Rapids, MI 2020, Hesperia, MI Bill Van Meter, BA ‘72, , , MA ‘85, Nov. 25, 2019, BS ‘48, Nov. 21, 2019, Nov. 21, 2019, Appleton, Jerrelyn Ann Powell Oct. 6, 2019, Kalamazoo Martha Marie Kirk Brian David Moore (Bennett) Bennett BA ‘60, Sept. 27, 2019, 2019 Alice May Coppic, BA ‘75, Oct. 22, 2019, BA ‘78, Nov. 10, 2019, Kalamazoo Charlevoix, MI Lutkus, BA ‘53, Oct. 9, WI Barbara Greenlee, BA William W. Gilbert Jr., Salmon, ID , ‘66, MA ‘71, Nov. 1, 2019, BA ‘68, Sept. 28, 2019, BA ‘70, Nov. 30, 2019, Inez A. Wolff, BS ‘72, Pinckney, MI Chandler, NC , , BS ‘48, 2019, Albany, NY , BBA Bonnie B. Blackman Waynesboro, VA Oct. 17, 2019, Grant, MI John Stephen Stark Jean M. Porter Robert A. Varshal Phillip M. Stewart, BA ‘64, Nov. 24, 2019 Stevensville, MI Longmont, CO Daniel G. Lauer, BBA Michael James BS ‘85, Nov. 29, 2019, MA ‘54, Sept. 9, 2019, David John Kraske, ‘57, Jan. 5, 2020, Austin, BS ‘60, Nov. 29, 2019, , BA ‘68, , BA ‘73, ‘75, Dec. 20, 2019, Tipton, , BBA ‘78, Temperance, MI Groveland, FL BS ‘53, Sept. 4, 2019, Texas Roger William Carlin, Thomas D. Heneghan, Jay C. Gowell Robert J. Hubbard, José R. Blanco Nicholas Bradenton, FL BS ‘64, Nov. 14, 2019, BBA ‘66, Oct. 26, 2019, MA ‘71, Feb. 3, 2020, BBA ‘70, Oct. 23, 2019, Jan. 5, 2020, Shelbyville, MI MA ‘80, Dec. 25, 2019, , BS Hartford, ME Charlotte, MI MI Kalamazoo Tracy Moore Max H. Doering Donald Perry Natalie F. Warrick, BA Black River, MI Tavares, FL Oxford, MI Reginald Jeffery (Eggleston) Bessey, ‘49, Dec. 17, 2019, Grand James Russell Bromley Ashdown, MA ‘58, Nov. ‘60, TC ‘48, MA ‘65, Dec. , TC ‘64, , M. William Hyslop, BA Donald F. Gardner, Newell, BS ‘75, Dec. 2, Ted Robert Singleton, BBA ‘86, Oct. 29, 2019, Rapids, MI Jr., BA ‘54, Nov. 20, 2019, 18, 2019, East Lansing, 20, 2019, Crystal River, FL Norman Gapske William A. Holt Jr. ‘68, MA ‘72, Oct. 5, 2019, Truman Barclay MA ‘73, Aug. 17, 2019, 2019, East Chicago, IL BBA ‘78, Aug. 25, 2019, Woronoco, MA Midland, MI MI MA ‘69, Sept. 13, 2019, MA ‘66, Sept. 3, 2019, Phillips, MBA ‘70, Oct. Barbara J. (Ritsema) Battle Creek, MI Albuquerque, NM St. Joseph, MI 22, 2019, Edwardsburg, Eugene, OR , Ocala, FL , BS ‘49, Sept. , BS ‘58, Madeline Rae (Stanger) John William Smith Kathryn P. (Haddad) Johnson Margaret (Weideman) Gatis Avotins Williams, BS ‘60, Sept. Tom L. Johnson, BS ‘68, MI Carol J. Haadsma, BS ‘75, Aug. 7, 2019, Mary Lou (Holmes) Haddad-Watkins, 21, 2019, Canandaigua, Chamberlain, BS ‘54, Jan. 28, 2020, Grand Joanne Margaretha Esther Dolan James, 15, 2019, Kalamazoo , BS ‘66, Nov. 2, 2019, MA ‘72, Jan. 13, 2020, , MA ‘73, Dec. 29, 2019, Chillicothe, OH Benneian, BS ‘79, Nov. MA ‘86, Dec. 26, 2019, NY Jan. 22, 2020, Shelton, Rapids, MI (Schutzler) Georgi Muskegon, MI Sidney Lewis Weaver Holland, MI 10, 2019, Phoenix, AZ Kentwood, MI WA Robert Keith Biek, BBA ‘64, Nov. 2, 2019, Kalamazoo BS ‘70, Dec. 21, 2019, Laura Jean BBA ‘61, Dec. 11, 2019, Salem, OR Richland, MI Willis G. Hazard Jr., MA VandenBosch, BA ‘75, Demi O. Mack, BSE ‘79, Westland, MI ‘73, Sept. 13, 2019, Old Jan. 23, 2020, Holland, Dec. 9, 2019, Greenville, Orchard Beach, ME MI MI 42 wmich.edu/magazine 43 BRONCOS' BEST Music theatre performance wmich.edu graduate Kobe Brown shined on stage at WMU. Now, he’s ready for the next act in his career—taking his talents to Tokyo Disneyland.

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