Thirty-five students serving as orientation leaders
June 24, 2002
KALAMAZOO -- Thirty-five students (see list below) are orientation leaders who are helping incoming students find "a brand new beat" this summer during Western Michigan University's orientation program.
Nearly 4,800 freshmen, more than 4,000 parents and 600 transfer students are expected to attend orientation sessions at WMU between June 5 and July 25. During the sessions, the orientation leaders will be concentrating on this year's theme, "A Brand New Beat," which centers on helping new students strike a chord with the resources and services available on campus.
Each leader will help hundreds of orientation participants become acquainted with WMU by giving tours, assisting students in registering for fall semester classes, and facilitating student development and social activities.
"Orientation student leaders play a major role in the orientation program because they work directly with the new students and parents the entire session," says Christopher W. Tremblay, WMU coordinator of orientation.
Nearly 120 people applied for the positions, and 35 were hired to be part of the team. They were selected on the basis of group and personal interviews, references, academic standing, curriculum, work experience and campus involvement.
Prior to the start of the program, the leaders enroll in a four-week training class that covers academics, activities, residence life, student development, team building, diversity and general University information.
"Being selected as an orientation student leader is an opportunity to experience one of the highest leadership roles that the University offers," Tremblay says. "We invest in the development of our leaders, which enables them to be successful in preparing the incoming students."
Summer orientation leaders
Lauren Baker of Rochester Hills, Mich., is a sophomore majoring in marketing and German. She is the daughter of Kathryn and Robert Baker of Rochester Hills.
Amitabh Biswas of Industrial City, Saudi Arabia, is a junior majoring in marketing. He is the son of Ratna and Aloke Biswas of Industrial City, Saudi Arabia.
Matthew Bolton of Coldwater, Mich., is a junior majoring in psychology. He is the son of Diane and John Bolton of Coldwater. Matthew's sister, Kathy, was an orientation student leader in 1997.
Matt Carlson of Traverse City, Mich., is a sophomore majoring in biomedical sciences. He is the son of Tonja and Tim Carlson of Traverse City.
Bridget Cole of Wixom, Mich., is a senior majoring in broadcast and cable production. She is the daughter of Diane and Ralph Cole of Wixom.
Rebecca Collison of St. Clair, Mich., is a sophomore majoring in elementary education. She is the daughter of Annette and Curtis Collison of St. Clair.
Courtney Cooley of Clarkston, Mich., is a senior majoring in elementary education. She is the daughter of Phyllis and Brent Cooley of Clarkston.
Nathan Dannison of Alto, Mich., is a sophomore majoring in journalism. He is the son of Linda and Charles Dannison of Alto. Nathan's brother, Charles, served as a student leader in 1995.
Kathryn Edmonds of Livonia, Mich., is a junior majoring in elementary education. She is the daughter of Elaine and Christopher Edmonds of Livonia.
Jessica Ellis of East China, Mich., is a sophomore majoring in psychology. She is the daughter of Carol Boucher of East China and James Ellis of Casco, Mich.
Emily Hallman of Goodrich, Mich., is a junior majoring in secondary education and environmental studies. She is the daughter of Lezlie and Mark Hallman of Goodrich.
Victoria Holcomb of Wyoming, Mich., is a junior majoring in secondary education-English and a member of the Lee Honors College. She is the daughter of Chu Sun Holcomb of Wyoming and the late Gordon Holcomb.
Aimee Jachym of Plymouth, Mich., is a senior majoring in business and English and a member of the Lee Honors College. She is the daughter of Karen and Harry Jachym of Plymouth.
Devon Jackson of Woodstock, Ill., is a junior majoring in industrial design engineering. He is the son of Kriket and Doug Jackson of Woodstock.
Carrie Johnson of Galien, Mich., is a sophomore majoring in marketing and a member of the Lee Honors College. She is the daughter of Kim and Steve Johnson of Galien.
Melissa Judycki of Orland Park, Ill., is a sophomore majoring in accountancy. She is the daughter of Maureen and Brian Bishop of Orland Park.
Justin Koenig of Auburn, Ind., is a junior majoring in biology. He is the son of Sue and Mark Koenig of Auburn.
Karan Kohli of Safat, Kuwait, is a sophomore majoring in computer engineering. He is the son of Shobhita and Znder Kohli of Safat.
Dean Kruse of Waterford, Mich., is a second-year student majoring in English. He is the son of Cindy and Jeff Kruse of Waterford.
Jacqueline Kueh of Sarawak, Malaysia, is a senior majoring in biomedical sciences. She is the daughter of Christine Chew and John Kueh of Sarawak.
Jonathan Lenze of Farmington Hills, Mich., is a sophomore majoring in athletic training. He is the son of Jacqueline and Othmar Lenze of Farmington Hills.
Patrick Lynn of Farmington Hills, Mich., is a junior majoring in organizational communication. He is the son of Joan and Joe Lynn of Farmington Hills.
Nicolas Martinez of Lawton, Mich., is a sophomore majoring in aviation flight science. He is the son of Dawn Martinez of Lawton and Epifanio Martinez of Kalamazoo. Nicolas' brother, Miguel, served as an orientation student leader in 2000.
Samantha McLea of Rochester Hills, Mich., is a junior majoring in nursing. She is the daughter of Deborah McLea of Rochester Hills and the late Samuel McLea.
Julie Moehlig of Warren, Mich., is a junior majoring in secondary education and English. She is the daughter of Theresa and Randy Moehlig of Warren.
Christena Pyle of Tampa, Fla., is a sophomore majoring in aviation flight science. She is the daughter of Joyce and Morris Pyle of Tampa.
Lauren Rea of St. Clair Shores, Mich., is a junior majoring in English. She is the daughter of Kathy and Tony Rea of St. Clair Shores.
Jared Rogge of Owosso, Mich., is a senior majoring in nursing and a member of the Lee Honors College. He is the son of Lorraine and Marvin Rogge of Owosso.
Rachel Stanski of Harper Woods, Mich., is a junior majoring in secondary education-history. She is the daughter of Ruth and Jon Stanski of Harper Woods.
Walter Stith of Atlanta, Ga., is a sophomore majoring in biomedical sciences. He is the son of Phyllis and James Stith of Atlanta.
Shannon Takacs, of Demotte, Ind., is a sophomore majoring in French and a member of the Lee Honors College. She is the daughter of Donna and David Takacs of Demotte.
Brian Ulrich of Kentwood, Mich., is a junior majoring in aviation flight science and a member of the Lee Honors College. He is the son of Pamela and Charles Ulrich of Kentwood.
Tiffany Vauters of Muskegon, Mich., is a sophomore majoring in biomedical sciences. She is the daughter of Ruthie and William Vauters of Muskegon.
Steve Waldron of Saranac, Mich., is a junior majoring in computer engineering and a member of the Lee Honors College. He is the son of Kathy and Steve Waldron of Saranac.
Christian Whitt of Niles, Mich., is a sophomore majoring in communication. She is the daughter of Diann and Carl Whitt of Niles.
Media contact: Jeanne Baron, 269 387-8400, jeanne.baron@wmich.edu