Transformational Dunn Decade comes to a close

Contact: Cheryl Roland

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—The 10 transformational years of change led by Western Michigan University's eighth president, Dr. John M. Dunn, come to a close with the end of July, as the campus community offers a final round of thanks for what is now known as the Dunn Decade.

Photo of WMU President John M. Dunn.

The transformational Dunn Decade will come to a close at the end of July.

Dunn's successor, Dr. Edward B. Montgomery, will take the reins of WMU when he officially begins his tenure on Tuesday, Aug. 1. His selection as the ninth president was announced by the WMU Board of Trustees April 12 after a nationwide search.

Dunn announced last August that he would retire from the presidency at the end of June 2017. He agreed to stay on for an additional month until Montgomery's start date. Dunn will now begin a year of service as president emeritus, accepting special assignments from the board and assisting the new president in whatever initiatives he requests.

A decade of achievement

Dunn's final weeks have seen him in a reflective mode as campus social media readers follow a "top 10" countdown of some of his fondest memories. They include:

No.10—Signing of the WMU-Dominican Republic agreement and others that brought hundreds of new international students to WMU.

No. 9—Opening in 2015 of Heritage Hall as the WMU Alumni Center after a massive renovation.

No. 8—Establishment in 2009 of the Office of Military and Veterans Affairs.

No. 7—Opening in 2012 of the Office for Sustainability, reflecting WMU's green commitment.

No. 6—Opening in 2012 of the new Sangren Hall—representative of more than $400 million in infrastructure improvements.

No. 5—Launch in 2008 of the Seita Scholars Program, which has become the nation's largest and most comprehensive collegiate program for former foster care youth.

No. 4—Creation of the WMU Cooley Law School through affiliation with the private law school.

No. 3—Community partnership that created the WMU Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine.

No. 2—Success of Bronco student-athletes as they capture the 2016 MAC Football Championship.

No. 1—Success of more than 50,000 WMU students who earned degrees during the Dunn Decade.

For more WMU news, arts and events, visit wmich.edu/news.