June 2018 WMU News

Michigan mom finds fix for cold, wet winters

Motivated by years of dealing with her children's soggy mittens and stinky winter boots, WMU alumna Karen Smoots developed The Green Glove Dryer, a quick and energy-efficient way to dry wet gear from the inside out. Smoots is part of the less than 7 percent of women who are sole patent holders in the United States.

WMU board votes to keep tuition within the state's cap

Effective with the start of the fall 2018 semester, annual tuition and required fees for a full-time Michigan freshman or sophomore to attend WMU will be $12,483. This new figure reflects a 3.88 percent increase.

Campus office hours released for Independence Day

WMU will observe U.S. Independence Day with no classes Wednesday, July 4. Additionally, many offices will be closed for the holiday recess. Classes resume and all offices resume normal hours Thursday, July 5.

Mending the mind with music

Through neurologic-informed music therapy, WMU alumna Julie Guy empowers those who've been diagnosed with developmental and learning disabilities, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, substance abuse problems, brain injuries, or physical disabilities to be the best versions of themselves.

Student group recognized by world's largest HR association

WMU's chapter of the Society for Excellence in Human Resources has been awarded the Society for Human Resource Management's Superior Merit Award for being one of the nation's most active and highest achieving student chapters.

Building a business fueled by hometown pride

WMU alumna Jennifer (Markby) Soffin has so much love for her lakeshore community that she decided to build a business around it. The 1998 graduate started The IN Coast, a lifestyle brand that celebrates all Northwest Indiana has to offer.

Annual Bronco Bash event set

Attend Bronco Bash from 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 28, on the Sangren Pedestrian Mall to meet new people and learn about on-campus and community opportunities.

Arcadia awards WMU-KVCC sustainable brewing scholarship

Ellie Maddelein is the first to receive the award, which was established by Arcadia, a leader in the West Michigan craft beer community, to further enhance career and learning opportunities for women in brewing.

Area families needed to host international visitors

Hosts are needed for visiting international teachers and students arriving in August. Host families will receive a monthly stipend of $450 for the duration of their guest's stay, which ranges from four weeks to one year.

WMU to confer nearly 1,300 degrees during summer commencement

Two ceremonies will be held Saturday, June 23, in Miller Auditorium: 9 a.m. for the Haworth College of Business and the colleges of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Health and Human Services, and Fine Arts, and noon for Extended University Programs and the colleges of Arts and Sciences, Aviation, and Education and Human Development.

Three diversity and inclusion VP candidates to visit campus

The public presentations will be held in the Fetzer Center's Putney Auditorium and take place as follows: Dr. Candy S. McCorkle, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 20; Dr. Carmen Suarez, 4 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 20; and Dr. Donna M. Talbot, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, June 21.

In the business of making a difference

Through a social enterprise model and partnership with 20 Liters, WMU alumnus Ryan Preisner and his business partners started boldSOCKS, a sock company that helps provide 100 days of clean water to someone in Rwanda, Africa, with each pair sold.

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