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Grants off to brisk start this year

Sept. 21, 2009

KALAMAZOO--Grants to Western Michigan University are off to a fast start for the 2009-10 fiscal year that began July 1, WMU trustees were informed at their Sept. 17 meeting. Externally funded awards came in at nearly $8.5 million during July and August, with research grants accounting for more than $7.5 million of the two-month total.

The largest research award came from the U.S. Department of Education and went to Dr. Joseph Kretovics, WMU professor of educational leadership, research and technology, and will continue funding for GEAR UP--Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs. The more than $2.7 million grant will be used to improve academic achievement for students with the goal of increasing the number of students who go on to and complete post-secondary education.

A new research grant from Mississippi State University of nearly $700,000 went to Dr. William W. Liou, professor mechanical and aeronautical engineering, and the University's Center for Advanced Vehicle Design and Simulation to develop models and test methods for predicting the durability of vehicle parts in extreme environments.

Public service grants came in at $433,500 and were led by a $300,723 award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to Dr. James A. Henry, WMU associate professor of social work and director of the University's Southwest Michigan Children's Trauma Assessment Center, to reform child welfare service delivery in Michigan and, in particular, better meet the needs of children suffering from traumatic stress.

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Media contact: Cheryl Roland, (269) 387-8400, cheryl.roland@wmich.edu

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