A Year of Change

president dunn standing in full regalia holding a diplomaGreetings, and an early welcome back to the 2016-17 academic year. We have much to accomplish this year. I hope you are looking forward as much as I am to a year with such exciting initiatives as the Create Your Signature Program for students, expansion of our aviation facility, opening of the new dining facility and initiation and expansion of our programs in Florida and around the world. 



This is also a year of transition, as I enter my 10th year of having the privilege of serving as the president of Western Michigan University. I have been in close consultation with our Board of Trustees on the topic of the University's future and I have informed them that I plan to retire at the end of my current term—on June 30, 2017. I am making this announcement now to ensure that the trustees, in consultation with the University community, have adequate time to conduct a national search for the person who will become the ninth president of WMU. Trustee Chair Ken Miller will be issuing a message to the University community regarding the upcoming presidential search and the trustees' commitment to an inclusive effort that has wide representation from faculty, staff and students.

Although this is my last year serving as president, I have accepted, upon retirement, the title of President Emeritus and will be actively engaged during the 2017-18 year in that emeritus role. I will undertake assignments, as determined by the trustees and the president-designate. My intent is to be helpful, but not intrusive, in the leadership and direction of the new president.


There is much that we, as a community, need to undertake and accomplish in the coming year. My "to do" list is, in fact, longer than ever. Be assured that I will be fully and actively engaged during my last year as president.  My goal is to do all that I can to continue the University's forward movement, accelerating and expanding upon what we have already begun together.  I hope it is clear to all that my respect and affection for this University will be sustained forever, and that I fully intend to be a supportive and helpful Bronco for the remainder of my life.


This has been an incredible time in the lives of Linda and John Dunn, and we will always be thankful for the opportunity to be part of Western Michigan University, the Kalamazoo community and the region. I am, of course, very proud of the developments during the past nine years. What we have accomplished together as a University community is extraordinary, and what we have built together will continue to make an impact on student lives for generations to come. We have:

  • enhanced diversity and retention among our student population,
  • set the standard nationally for serving former foster care youth as well as veterans, 
  • built new student housing—the first in 50 years, 
  • established the WMU Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, and 
  • affiliated to form the WMU Thomas Cooley Law School. 

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, our University has seen significant increases in its endowment, which is now ranked third among Michigan's public universities. We've overcome an inherited systemic budget deficit during one of the most challenging economic times in our state's history. We've been recognized as a national leader in campus sustainability. And, of course, our new alumni center, Heritage Hall, is the product of this campus community's fierce determination to restore the University's birthplace and return it to an active role in the daily life of the campus and community.  

These and other outcomes represent a team effort by a large number of individuals across the campus. I will always feel privileged to have been a part of this incredibly productive period in Western Michigan University's history. 

But we are not done. You know me well enough to realize my commitment to WMU progress will continue unabated. There remains much to be done, and I intend to work intensely with the University community this year to advance the elements of our recently approved strategic plan. 

Again, thank you for your support. I look forward to another exciting and productive academic year. And I look forward to sharing with you many days to come—each of which will be truly a great day to be a Bronco.

Best regards,
John M. Dunn
President