The purpose of the academy is to give honor and recognition to a select group of our outstanding graduate and undergraduate alumni. It is with great pride and enthusiasm that we honor them – and thank them for their willingness to give back to our school.

School of Communication
2001 Alumni Academy Inductee

Cheri Van Kuren-Bales

While attending WMU, Cheri Van Kuren-Bales served as Communication Specialist with the Kalamazoo Public Schools. After leaving KPS in 1997, Cheri traveled to Costa Rica, then returned to launch her own communication agency, Hannah/Gold Communications. What had been a part-time endeavor since 1991 quickly became the heart and soul of Cheri’s existence. Since its formation, the agency has had many successes. Specializing in nonprofit organizations and educational institutions, Hannah/Gold Communications is a full-service agency providing expertise in a wide variety of fields including marketing, public relations, employee training and development, focus group and management facilitation, publication design and production, advertising, and special events management. Cheri is a regular presenter at area workshops and conferences, including WMU’s Public Relations Organization and the Michigan School Public Relations Association (MSPRA). She is the recipient of several “Distinguished” and “Commendable” awards from the MSPRA, and is a member of Professional Women Communicators. In addition to her degree from Western Michigan University, Cheri holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (cum laude) from Nazareth College and an Associate of Arts in Business Administration (cum laude) from Kellogg Community College. On a personal note, shortly after graduation, Cheri’s son, Max was born. Since then she and her family (husband Bob, and second son, Blake) have relocated to Schoolcraft where she is an active school and community volunteer.