The Western Michigan University Magazine, Spring 2012
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SPRING 2012 Sustainability • Fostering success for vulnerable youth • New medical school dean • Broncos go Hollywood SPRING 2012 Dear Friends: Contents In mid 2011, we shared information about campus research with you in a magazine format. Now, I’m pleased to bring you the first issue of 2. University news our reinvigorated WMU Magazine. Our mission is simple. We want to 8. Growing ever greener keep you informed about the impact of Western Michigan University New academic initiatives and more than 30 years of energy-conservation efforts put WMU in forefront in a broad array of areas. of campus sustainability leaders. Sustainability We want you to know about important developments at the • Fostering success for vulnerable youth • New medical school dean • Broncos go Hollywood University. We also hope to give you a taste of everyday life on 14. The art, science and business of medicine campus, let you know what our alumni are accomplishing and invite A founding dean, a $100 million anonymous gift and you to share the excitement of being part of the Western Michigan a downtown Kalamazoo home will help the WMU School of Medicine leverage the city’s life science heritage. University family. 16. Oprah’s favorite guest Our cover story outlines the University’s role as a campus that is Executive Editor leading nationally in the areas of sustainability and conservation. Cheryl P. Roland 17. Alumni and development changes Managing Editor We’re proud of our more than 30-year history of energy conservation David H. Smith, MBA ‘91 as well as the fact that public- and private-sector facilities around the Editorial Staff 18. Fostering success Jeanne Baron, M.A. ‘89 After four years of wrapping its arms around former country have turned to us for advice and to emulate what we have Tonya Durlach, B.A. ‘03 foster care youth, WMU has turned conventional John Greenhoe, B.A. ‘83 wisdom on its ear and built a year-round home for established as best practices. There’s not a campus anywhere that can Bill Krasean a vulnerable population. Deanne Puca rival what we’re accomplishing, and we want you to share our pride— Thomas Myers Mark Schwerin, B.A. ‘79 20. Classnotes and obituaries and spread the news. Teresa Ventimiglia Design Staff In this issue you’ll also find a profile of the founding dean of the new Kim C. Nelson 26. College news WMU School of Medicine. You’ll be able to read about changes to Production Staff Sue A. Beougher, B.A. ’88 our alumni and development initiatives, learn about changes in the Tammy M. Boneburg, BFA ’96 28. Bronco film forays Bradley Horstman Bronco hockey program and get a look at how WMU and Kalamazoo WMU campus, Kalamazoo serve as settings for two Contributing Photographers independent films that also tap student film talent. are portrayed in two movies attracted to our campus through the state Mike Lanka Neil Rankin film incentive. Frequency WMU, The Western Michigan University Magazine is published 32. Distinguished alumni winners quarterly. It is owned by Western Michigan University, 1903 West Enjoy your reading and plan to visit sometime soon. Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5201. WMU, The Western Michigan University Magazine Best regards, Spring 2012 Views expressed in the magazine are not necessarily those of the University. WMU is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution and a member of the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities as well as the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. John M. Dunn President wmich.edu/magazine 1 UNiversity News FedEx Express, black pilots group delivers Boeing 727 to aviation college New Sangren construction transforms heart of campus Students create WMU FedEx Express, a subsidiary of “The donation of this aircraft by FedEx by a crew of WMU-affiliated FedEx A new 230,000-square-foot version apps for Droid and iPhone FedEx Corp. and the world’s largest is just one example of the many ways personnel. of Sangren Hall, the campus’ largest WMU now has smartphone apps for we support educational (See related story on Page 21.) classroom building, is racing toward Android and for iPhone and other endeavors, reflecting the completion for fall 2012 classes. Apple mobile platforms thanks to “FedEx has been an ardent supporter community spirit shared by a senior engineering project by six and champion of OBAP programs Located immediately in front of the all FedEx employees in the computer science students. WMU for over 31 years, and this donation existing Sangren Hall, the four-story, communities where we live Mobile is available free of charge continues that support of Project $60 million facility is being built and work.” through the Android Market at market. Aerospace with Western Michigan with a goal of achieving LEED gold android.com for Android smartphones; Sutton also noted the “hands- University, an OBAP partner since 1998,” certification. Once the new Sangren is and through the iTunes Store and App on training value” the large said OBAP Chairman Albert Glenn, completed, the old building will come • a new Media Commons to promote express transportation company, Store for iPhone, iPod Touch and other freighter will provide to the University’s who is a captain with FedEx Express. down, allowing a new state-of-the- student engagement, productivity Apple mobile devices. joined forces with the Organization aviation program students. The plane art facility to assume the name long and collaboration; of Black Aerospace Professionals also will be used in outreach activities to University lauded for being associated with the center of campus • savings of more than $100,000 A few of the apps’ many features are: last fall to present a Boeing 727- annually in stopgap maintenance introduce the idea of aviation careers to veteran friendly school and a host of alumni memories. • calendar of WMU public events, 200 freighter to Western Michigan to an obsolete building; and middle and high school students. For the second consecutive year, a When the new Sangren Hall project is • maps and a locator for key University’s College of Aviation to • savings of $345,000 annually in buildings and offices on the main Since 2000, FedEx has donated more national publication that serves all complete the campus will enjoy: energy costs for a greatly reduced support outreach efforts and training campuses, than 50 of its Boeing 727 aircraft to branches of the • classroom technology that brings carbon footprint. for aviation students. • live streaming of WMUK Public various organizations for educational armed forces instruction into the 21st century; More than 60 percent of Sangren’s Radio for both HD1 and HD2, “As we retire this 727 from our fleet, has identified purposes. Before its final flight, the • accessibility at all entrances for usage is by first-year and second-year we are proud to give back to the Western Michigan people with disabilities; • sounds of WMU, including Fight WMU aircraft provided FedEx with students taking general education Song, Alma Mater and “key aviation community,” said David University as 20 years service transporting packages • highly efficient and flexible classroom courses. play,” and Sutton, managing director of aircraft Michigan’s top- and lecture hall configurations; to destinations throughout the United • the latest Bronco scores and acquisition and sales for FedEx States. The plane was flown to WMU ranked school for outreach and service updates from wmubroncos.com. during the presentation ceremony. to veterans. Debel, Miller appointed by governor to Board of Trustees Graduating seniors Ryan Berry, Kyle Early last year, Gov. Rick Snyder appointed New student apartment housing gets rave reviews Military Times’ EDGE magazine Falkenstein and Matthew Rodgers announced its annual list of the Dana Debel of Ann Arbor to the Western A new apartment complex on developed the Android version of nation’s colleges and universities it Michigan University Board of Trustees and the west side of the campus is the app, while seniors Christopher calls “Best for Vets” in its November reappointed Ken Miller of Kalamazoo. the first undergraduate student Ashbay, Justus Reule and Timothy issue. WMU was ranked 33rd on housing built on WMU’s campus Director of state and local government Wickey created the iPhone version. the list of 59 schools nationally that in nearly half a century and it affairs for Delta Air Lines, Debel previously The University commissioned the earned the coveted designation. The Debel Miller opened last fall to rave reviews served as a policy director for former Gov. project, and the two teams met only other Michigan school on the list from student residents. Jennifer Granholm from 2003 to 2007, primarily in the areas of environmental weekly with the project sponsors is the University of Michigan-Flint, and energy policy. She earned both a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies led by Dr. Keith Hearit, WMU vice Western View is the name of the which came in at No. 41. and a Master of Business Administration from Michigan State University. provost for strategic enrollment development, and it is located This is the second such ranking by management. on the west side of campus A trustee since 2002, Miller chaired the search that led to the 2007 appointment the monthly publication, which is a between Knollwood Avenue of President John M. Dunn and served as chair of the Board of Trustees in 2008 “WMU Mobile has a number of supplement to the widely distributed and Kohrman Hall. The one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom units are designed and 2009. He is a Kalamazoo business leader; principal partner in Havirco, distinctive features,” says Hearit, Military Times publications—Army to house upperclassmen. They provide new on-campus housing to more than an investment management firm; and owner of the Millennium Restaurant “but what’s more impressive than Times, Navy Times, Air Force 300 students, and they opened with a 100 percent occupancy rate and a waiting Group.