PEACE Dr. Rudolf Siebert: From unwilling German soldier to catalyst for civility
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FALL/WINTER
2019-20
PEACE
Dr. Rudolf Siebert:
From unwilling German soldier
to catalyst for civility
Also inside
Think Big initiative moves to action
WINDOWS TO
THE FUTURE
Student housing is getting a facelift on campus. Construction
crews are making great progress on the Arcadia Flats project,
which will welcome its first residents in fall 2020. This is the
first building project underway in the transformation of the
University's Hilltop Village neighborhood.
Learn more at wmich.edu/capitalprojects/hilltopvillage.
1
CONTENTS
8. Finding Common Ground
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Paula M. Davis
Over Dr. Rudolf Siebert’s long
teaching tenure, the recently
CONTRIBUTING retired 92-year-old religion professor’s
EDITORIAL STAFF work has focused on pursuing civility
Erin Flynn across difference—a passion that
Deanne Puca
Teresa Ventimiglia began in his youth as an unwilling
German soldier.
ART DIRECTOR
Kim C. Nelson
12. WMU—A Place to Become
CREATIVE TEAM The University’s Think Big initiative has
Mark Bugnaski led to a reimagined brand with big
Madeleine Fojtik, M.A. ‘12 promise for students.
Debbi Kreps, B.S. ‘88
Shelli Osterhout
14. Protecting Pedestrians
PRODUCTION STAFF One professor is on a quest to improve
Bradley Horstman
CONTRIBUTING
PHOTOGRAPHERS
safety for those of us who cross
the street. STEPPING UP
Hayley Midea, a dance major, won the prestigious
Jennifer Clements 16. A Pioneer of Pride Maggie Allesee Choreography Award. Her original
Sydney Fernandez
Allen Kee, ESPN Images
WMU’s LBGT office—one of the piece, “Dear Larry,” was inspired by her cousin,
Tyler Williams nation’s earliest—marks three a survivor of sports doctor Larry Nassar's abuse.
decades of inclusion. Midea set her cousin's court testimony to music and
QUESTIONS OR choreographed a powerful performance to take a
COMMENTS? stand against sexual assault.
Contact Paula M. Davis at 19. Driving Driverless Technology
paula.davis@wmich.edu Students are helping lead cutting-edge
automation research.
UPDATES
For address changes,
please send updated 20. Learning and Leading
information to As “global leaders,” a student
alumni-donor-update@ group is using its skills to
wmich.edu.
help refugees.
22. Bridging Barriers
W Magazine is owned A students’ trip to the U.S.-Mexico
by Western Michigan
University, 1903 W.
border helped build understanding.
Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo,
MI 49008-5433. Views 26. From Heartbreak to Hope
expressed in the magazine An alumnus who escaped civil war as a
are not necessarily those
of the University. WMU
youth says his college education also
is an equal opportunity/ offered a “new dawn … of life.”
affirmative action
institution and a member
of the Association of
Public and Land-Grant 4. University News
Universities as well as the
Council for Advancement 27. Expert Insights
and Support of Education.
28. Alumni Profile
30. Classnotes
31. In Print
32. In Memoriam
2 wmich.edu/magazine 3
University News
Giving Day
2019 garnered
more than $1.5M
Generous donors from as far from
campus as Australia and from 46 states
came together on the University’s
third Giving Day to raise more than Dr. Ann Chapleau Dr. Jennifer Harrison Dr. Bridget Weller
$1.5 million. The Universitywide
effort was led by the WMU Alumni
Association, which was recently Team secures $1.35M
federal grant to battle
reinstated by the school’s Office of
University Advancement.
DEAR FRIENDS,
Increasingly, our focus at WMU is By building on our existing strengths
the opioid epidemic
on helping our students grasp their while flexibly reimagining our future, A major funding boost will give students hands-on
purpose and passion in life on a WMU is positioned to prepare students experience in combating the opioid epidemic that is
parallel track with helping them build to face the challenges of a world that is ravaging communities across Michigan.
skills for the world of work. changing at a breathtaking pace. That’s Mechanical engineer graduates Kelsey Pitschel, left, and Erika Mallery received their The $1.35 million grant from the Health Resources and
the goal of our Think Big initiative, a undergraduate degrees in 2016 and master's degrees in 2017. Pitschel is a mechnical Services Administration supports the Michigan Youth
To be sure, our graduates find that the designer in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Mallery is a senior mechanical engineer in Oklahoma
bold plan enabling us to become even Prevention and Recovery from Opioid Use Disorders—
skills they develop at WMU quickly lead City, Oklahoma.
better at helping bright, inquisitive MY-PROUD—program at WMU.
to jobs in their chosen fields; our 91%
students use their innate curiosity
post-graduation success rate attests
to this fact. But a Bronco’s potential far
to expand their horizons and create
their futures. Read more about this
NSF initiative aims to “This grant presents WMU with an opportunity to make
far-reaching impacts through health care workforce
exceeds a single job after graduation.
Broncos are preparing for a lifetime
of meaning and of great impact, both
on page 12.
Across this campus, we are proving
“Giving is just the tool,” said Kristen DeVries,
vice president for University Advancement.
boost women in STEM fields expansion in the state,” says Dr. Ron Cisler, dean of the
College of Health and Human Services, who calls this a
critical time to address the opioid epidemic in Michigan.
“It’s the impact that we care about. Giving WMU is leading the charge in diversifying science, technology, engineering
personally and professionally. that WMU is a place for students to and math fields.
magnifies our ability to transform the lives “Our students will participate in hands-on educational
become. We don’t expect freshmen experiences that will guide them throughout their
Recently, College Gazette picked up of our students so they can transform the The University, in collaboration with three other research institutions, was
to know their life’s passion. But we do professional lives, while also meeting an immediate,
on what makes this place so special, communities where they live, all around the awarded a three-year, $996,000 ADVANCE grant from the National Science
aim for our graduates to walk across globe. What philanthropy is doing at WMU crucial need for families in our region."
calling WMU one of the top “hidden Foundation to develop strategies to increase the number of female STEM
the stage knowing their purpose and is way beyond campus impact. Gifts made
gems” in the nation. Once upon a time, faculty across the country. Dr. Ann Chapleau, associate professor of occupational
how the degree I place in their hands on WMU Giving Day will positively impact
it may have been enough for us to be therapy, Dr. Jennifer Harrison, associate professor of
will make it possible. With a solid students for decades to come.” “It is so exciting,” says Dr. Carla Koretsky, dean of the College of Arts and
great and let people discover this on social work, and Dr. Bridget Weller, assistant professor
disciplinary backing, we give students Sciences. “I think it is something that can really create such significant,
their own. But those days are gone. The one-day giving campaign on Oct. 9 of social work, created MY-PROUD to enhance
the space to imagine their futures systemic, institutional change at Western Michigan University and other
Today, we must be great and make and the guidance to develop critical surpassed last year’s efforts by more than institutions like it.” interdisciplinary education for social work and
sure everyone knows how great we are. thinking skills. We bring the experience 391% and is helping the University refocus occupational therapy students and to expand the
As legendary football coach Paul “Bear” its fundraising strategy. Koretsky and other WMU faculty will be working with lead institution Iowa State number of professionals available to serve rural and
and wisdom, and they bring the drive
Bryant said, “It ain’t braggin’ if it’s true.” University, as well as Michigan Technological University and North Dakota State medically underserved communities.
to develop their abilities, unleash their “This campaign is about … the impact we
WMU has the programs and, more University, to focus on challenges facing women of color and women with
creativity, and get an education that can have regionally, statewide, nationwide U.S. Rep. Fred Upton advocated for the funding,
family responsibilities.
importantly, the people to effectively empowers them to make a difference and globally; whether it’s working to solve emphasizing that opioid and substance abuse touches
compete for the dwindling population in the world. the opioid crisis or fostering job creation The project will examine a number of strategies, including developing and every community.
of high school graduates in Michigan in Kalamazoo,” DeVries said. implementing training programs for campus leaders; training and developing
We hope you’re thinking big, too, campus advocates and allies; and developing mentor communities to support “We have all seen the horrendous impact caused
by offering a flexible and innovative
and are as excited about what’s to In all, WMU Giving Day had 2,190 donors who female faculty members. by the opioid epidemic,” says Upton. “We can all be
educational experience that prepares
come as I am. contributed to more than 330 of the 2,000 encouraged that Western Michigan University is showing
students for the jobs of today and for The goal is to begin implementing some of the strategies this year. Evaluators
funds available to give to at the University. commitment to address this epidemic and that they will
the jobs of the future. both within and outside of the universities will collect and analyze data to be given more resources to do so.” ■
Learn more about WMU’s third Giving determine which actions are having the most impact and have the potential to
Edward Montgomery, Ph.D. Day results at wmualumni.org/ be successfully implemented at other institutions. ■
President givingday. ■
4 wmich.edu/magazine News 5
University News
#1
Geography Hidden gem.
professor Innovation leader. #1
IN EARNINGS BY
#1 HIDDEN GEM GRADUATES FROM
recognized WMU is garnering national accolades for its
PUBLIC UNIVERSITY
—College Gazette
ALL BACKGROUNDS
—Washington Monthly*
for watershed programs propelling students to success.
Whether it’s the University’s commitment
hydrology work to student experiences, dedication to 2019:
Helping protect water resources and A YEAR OF
predict potential contamination issues sustainability or emphasis on embracing ACCOLADES
is important work, and it’s earned a diversity, Broncos are earning high praise.
geography professor recognition among
the nation’s leading scientists.
The American Jon Wassink poses with the Wuerffel Trophy during the Home Depot College Football Awards BEST PUBLIC UNIVERSITY
Association for the Red Carpet Show. IN MICHIGAN FOR MOVING
Advancement of UP IN THE WORLD.
Sciences has named —U.S. News & World Report
Dr. Chansheng He a
2019 AAAS Fellow,
Bronco footballer scores accolades TOP U.S. SALES SCHOOL
citing his distinguished
contributions to the
for impact off the field —Study.com
field of watershed Bronco quarterback Jon Wassink has been honored with the Wuerffel Trophy, college TOP 10 INTEGRATED SUPPLY
Dr. Chansheng He football’s premier community service award. Named for Heisman Trophy-winning MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
hydrology, particularly
quarterback Danny Wuerffel, it’s given to one college football player every year who best —Gartner
using models and spatial technology to
study the dynamics of water and nonpoint combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement.
2019 SILVER AWARD
source pollution. “What he has done serving others off the field, along with his work in the classroom and on —STARS
The hydrological models He has developed the playing field, represents what the Wuerffel Trophy is all about,” Wuerffel says.
with his collaborators have been “It’s always something I’ve tried to take very seriously,” says Wassink, who earned a bachelor’s HIGHER EDUCATION
successfully applied to over 40 watersheds EXCELLENCE IN
degree in accountancy in the spring and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in the field,
in the Great Lakes basin, as well as DIVERSITY HONOREE
carrying a 3.95 GPA. “I’ve always tried to work hard in school and give back to the community.
watersheds in China and other countries. —INSIGHT into Diversity Magazine
That’s just the way that I was raised and what I believe in.”
“This is a wonderful and well-deserved Wassink volunteers with his teammates at organizations like Ministry with Community INNOVATIVE PROGRAM AWARD
recognition of Chansheng’s outstanding and mentors youth through the Bronco Buddies program at Tree of Life School. He also —NASPA Region IV-East
scholarship,” says Dr. Carla Koretsky, dean completed a spring break mission trip to the Dominican Republic in 2016, helping build a
of the College of Arts and Sciences. basketball court and repair fences in a small village. TOP COMMUNICATION
More than 400 members of the AAAS MASTER’S DEGREE PROGRAM
He credits the coaching staff with encouraging him and his teammates to use their IN MICHIGAN
have earned the lifetime distinction of influence for good. —Journal of the Association for
AAAS Fellow, in honor of their invaluable
“They really push us to give back and also take academics very seriously.” Communication Administration
contributions to science and technology.
The newly elected fellows represent Along with the Wuerffel Trophy, Wassink was also a finalist for the Willam V. Campbell MICHIGAN TEACHER OF
sections ranging from neuroscience and Trophy—considered the academic Heisman—and the Senior CLASS Award, which recognizes THE YEAR
psychology to social, economic and athletes in their final year of eligibility who demonstrate excellence in four areas: community, —WMU alumna Cara Lougheed
political sciences. Beginning in 1874, classroom, character and competition.
thousands of scientists have been elected, EXCELLENCE IN PILOT
including Maria Mitchell, Margaret Mead “Jon maximizes everything he does. He’s a joy to have on the team,” says head football
TRAINING
and Thomas Edison. coach Tim Lester. “He’s making a difference with teachers and in the community and is a joy
—National Air Transportation
to have around.”
He and other fellows will receive an official Association
certificate and a gold-and-blue rosette pin He’s not the only Bronco earning big praise this year. Senior running back LeVante Bellamy
at the annual AAAS meeting in Seattle was voted 2019 Mid-American Conference Vern Smith Leadership award winner as well as the
in February. ■ league’s most valuable player and offensive player of the year. ■
6 wmich.edu/magazine News 7
Living History
Learn more at
wmich.edu/magazine
Finding 1943
At 15, Siebert was
1944
At 17, with no
more German
1945
Prisoner of war—
After surrendering
1946
Democratic
Mission—Siebert
1962
Return to the
U.S.—Siebert
1965
Hired at WMU,
Siebert moves to
1970
In 1970, he was
selected as an
Common Ground
drafted into the
German Air Force airplanes flying, to American began studying first taught at St. Kalamazoo with Outstanding
to defend Frankfurt Siebert trained officers, Siebert economics and Agnes College and his wife and six Educator of America
and other German to become a was transported political science Loyola College children. for his contributions
cities. lieutenant to to Worms and with American in Baltimore, to the advancement
fight on the then Marseille by professors. Maryland. of higher education
He initially refused eastern front. railway car. and services to the
to go, but an officer Identified as anti- community, and in
showed up at his After training, He then boarded fascist, he was this same year
house and escorted he fought Patton’s a ship and, after a trained and sent he received the
him to the airport tank army stop in Northern back to Germany in WMU Alumni
at gunpoint. marching Africa, eventually an effort to spread Association Teaching
towards Berlin. arrived at Camp democracy there Excellence Award.
Allen in Norfolk, after the war.
Virginia.
In our politically polarized reality, civil “His life’s work has been trying to bring “She was carrying two
conversations may seem like a utopian people together and talk through their suitcases and kept
fantasy. Dr. Rudolf Siebert, professor problems, and to come to some sort of stopping. I thought, as
emeritus of comparative religion, common understanding and agreement a good Catholic boy, I
is looking for the light at the end of so they can proceed forward in a had to help her,” recalls
the tunnel. peaceful manner that makes for a Siebert, who loaded
better world for everybody,” says Dr. the suitcases onto Illuminating a
Stephen Covell, chair of the Department his bike and walked
of Comparative Religion. Siebert alongside her, noticing
path to civility
“Our political discourse the yellow star on her coat. “She said Recently retired professor
LIVING HISTORY police had been to her house and told Dr. Rudolf Siebert sits in his
has really declined in study, which is lined with
Siebert’s unique perspective was forged her to carry everything she could to the hundreds of books that he’s
the world. What we want as a child. Growing up in Frankfurt, basement of my school. either collected or written over
to do is see it come to a Germany, he was just 6 years old when “We rolled down to the air shelter
the past several decades.
Hitler came to power.
level where people can where already hundreds of Jews had
“The antagonism between the religious been collected to be transported east.
quietly and rationally talk
and the secular was there from the The police had told her she would be
about these things.” beginning. On one side there was the brought to a nice village, free from the
religious people, and on the other side bustle of the city, and she would have
there was the fascist state,” Siebert says. a nice place to live out her life. We did
“They were in continual conflict with not know that they were going to death
A pioneer in the critical theory of each other. So the critical theory grew camps.”
religion, Siebert—who retired in August out of this fundamental experience.” An SS man at the school scolded
after 54 years at the University—has
“His biography is inseparable from his Siebert for helping the woman, whom
spent decades working to bridge the
teaching or from his philosophy,” says he was forbidden to talk to because
ideological divide.
Dustin Byrd, an alumnus who considers of her Jewish faith. But all he could
“There’s tension. We have all of these Siebert a mentor. “He learned at a see was a woman who looked like his
culture wars, whether it’s stem cell very early age what power was, what grandmother.
research or abortion or whatever,” Siebert corruption was, what racism was.” Siebert knew what was happening
says. “These culture wars come from that
An encounter with an elderly woman on wasn’t right.
split between secular and religious, and
a walk to elementary school as a boy “(Upstairs) at the school they read Plato
they go deeper and deeper.”
still haunts him. in Greek and read the Torah in Hebrew,
and teaching was highly humanistic,”
8 wmich.edu/magazine Finding Common Ground 9
says Siebert, “but down in the basement Siebert was among about 20,000 captured help them network, co-publishing books and
Captured German soldiers at the
there was this degradation of human troops deemed unsympathetic to the Nazi editing volumes with them.
end of WWII, National Archives. beings and people sitting and waiting for cause who were trained and sent back to
“He did a lot,” says Covell. “For him,
the gas chambers.” Germany to spread democratic ideals.
it’s not about him. It’s about something
As a member of the Catholic youth “I taught in the German school system, much bigger.”
movement, Siebert spoke against fascism but taught for working class people in the trade
Siebert has also hosted a weekly lunch
was ultimately drafted and—after refusing the schools, taught in university,” says Siebert,
for decades, inviting students, friends and
order—forced to join the German Air Force at who also continued his own education,
family to come for fellowship and discussion.
gunpoint in World War II, at the age of 15. He obtaining master’s and doctoral degrees
He even built an addition onto his house
justified his service with the obligation he felt while also moving forward the critical theory
for students to live in while they studied
to protect the innocent people in his city from of religion.
with him.
airstrikes by allied forces.
“He’s well known around the world for what
“Knowing you’ve got a faculty member that’s
“You have to make ethical decisions,” he’s done,” says Byrd. “He took what (the
going the extra mile and is really supportive
says Siebert. “You know so little of the Frankfurt School) began, their critical
and wants to see you succeed and taking
circumstance in which you make this analysis of religion, and developed it well
those extra efforts is something students
decision, and that is scary in a certain sense beyond what they had done. He opened up
really thrive on,” Covell says.
that one knows so little when one has to the doors to understanding religion from a
make such big decisions.” critical, philosophical perspective.” THE FUTURE
A TURNING POINT A NEW MISSION Some argue the work Siebert’s done is more
important now than ever.
Eventually taken as a prisoner of war on In the early 1960s, a social theorist involved
Easter Sunday 1945, the theme of religion is with the Frankfurt School—which had
indelibly woven into the fabric of Siebert’s moved back to Germany after the war—
life story. While being transferred between made a grim observation. “Part of what critical theory
prison camps, a gesture of kindness forever
“Maybe this whole hellish thing that we had is trying to do is to bring two
changed him.
in Europe, this fascism, could happen in the sides of these antagonisms
“We were stowed in an animal car through United States,” Siebert says. “I had worked in
Alsace-Lorraine, and I became unconscious Germany as much as possible, so I decided together in discourse so that
because I hadn’t eaten or drank anything with my wife and family that we would come they can come to understand
in days and was hit by a stone thrown from back here because we wanted to fight it.”
outside,” remembers Siebert. “A Protestant
each other’s position,” says
So, the family moved to Baltimore, Maryland,
minister gave me his last water, and that
where Siebert taught with Jesuits. Through
Byrd. “By understanding each
woke me up again. I became an ecumenical other’s position, they can lay
his work there, he was connected with
person for the rest of my life.”
a Jesuit at WMU interested in starting a a foundation not for unity of
Siebert traveled with other prisoners of war religion department.
to Africa and was eventually brought to opinion, but for a friendly
Siebert came to WMU in 1965. During
Camp Allen in Norfolk, Virginia. Along with
his tenure, he helped found WMU’s living together.”
tens of thousands of others, he was tried to
chapter of the American Association of
determine his role in the war.
University Professors, directed the Center
“The Frankfurt School, which was an institute for Humanistic Future Studies, founded In order to continue his work, and to
for social research at Columbia University, two international conferences and wrote ensure WMU remains a driving force in
argued there were Germans who had not dozens of books and articles. He also taught advancing the field, the Department of
been Nazis, and maybe one could get help thousands of students. Comparative Religion is looking into the
and train them in order to transform the possibility of creating an endowed position
“He really teaches his students how to think
fascist state into a liberal state,” Siebert in Siebert’s name.
critically about the world,” says Byrd. “It
says. “As members of the Catholic youth
begins with thinking critically about religion, “He’s such an important person in the field,
movement, we had helped Jewish people
but then it expands into politics, economics, and he’s influenced so many disciplines,”
by hiding them in the basement and
philosophy, law and all these other things.” Byrd says. “It’s imperative that Western finds
(secretly) spread the letter of a bishop who
was protesting concentration camps and Siebert’s investment in his students a way to continue his legacy.” ■
saturation bombing.” extended far beyond the classroom—inviting
students to international conferences to
10 wmich.edu/magazine Finding Common Ground 11
THINK BIG
“Our enrollment is perfectly correlated with values: a WMU student journey will focus on specific needs.
this trend,” Proudfoot says. “We must do purpose, career and well-being, all rooted
Another concept expected to launch in
something different, and we must become in a foundation of flexibility.
INITIATIVE SHIFTS
fall 2020 is One WMU. It will consolidate
more competitive, and break free of
The University plans to differentiate itself centralized career counseling and advising
demographics being our destiny.”
by making student mental, physical and to provide resources to students who
FROM THOUGHT
On top of that, the funding structure has academic well-being its top priorities. have not declared a major or who are
dramatically changed for Michigan’s public It also aims to increase career transitioning between majors.
universities. Decades ago, about three preparedness by ensuring that
TO ACTION
“I changed my major
quarters of funding came from the state. students get an opportunity
in college my senior
Today, only about a quarter of a public every year to have an
year,” says Herhold.
university’s budget is supported by the experience they can add
“I wasn’t student
state—the rest comes from tuition and fees. to their resume.
Western Michigan University is not Along with that rising financial burden, Now that they have
teaching until my
senior year, so I
a place to go, it’s a place to become. students are facing a career future that’s direction and the wasn’t really in
That’s the mantra emerging from the changing faster than ever before. According "Big Idea" is taking the classroom
Think Big initiative, which is reimagining to a study by the Brookings Institution, shape, University figuring out if
the University’s brand and its promise 25% of jobs in the United States are leaders are beginning I liked it. I also
to students. threatened by automation, and 85% of the to create plans to put had an outside
“I love the fact that we’re trying to jobs that will be available in 2030 don’t big aspirations job at a museum.
differentiate ourselves,” says Claire even exist yet. into action. Those two
Herhold, a doctoral candidate components helped
“A lifetime of change is coming “This part, about what
studying public history. me realize I didn’t
we can do if we realize
That differentiation isn’t just about
for our students, and we need this promise, is incredible,” says
want to be in classroom
to prepare them,” says Provost education. It would have saved a
exploring new concepts, says Tony President Edward Montgomery. “It can offer
lot of heartache if I would have had those
Proudfoot, vice president for marketing Jennifer Bott, highlighting us the kind of hope and vision for where
in-classroom or field experiences early on.”
and strategic communications. WMU, we want to go as a University that keeps
the benefits of a liberal arts One WMU could also involve the creation of
like institutions across the country, the things that make Western special and
is facing a stark trilogy of challenges: education in making students builds on them and delivers them across “meta-majors” so that students can explore
changing demographics, the rising better critical thinkers and the educational experience. a broader field of study without being
cost of tuition and the changing locked into a specific major early on.
problem solvers and more “We will become that rare university that
nature of work. “One of the things that is very important
effective communicators. “We is a high-quality research institution that
cares about its students and its teaching, to this effort is the acknowledgment
THE CHALLENGES have the ability to prepare our about their experience and their growth, that exploratory is not a sign of lack of
Nationwide, the number of public high students to constantly adapt.” and prepares them for the rest of preparation,” says Bott. “Our students are
school graduates is on the decline. That their lives.” uncertain (about their major) and their
challenge is even more pronounced parents are increasingly okay with that. We
in Michigan, where high school
THE METHOD
TAKING ACTION need to celebrate that so students can find
graduate rates are expected to slide The five-phase Think Big process has been
far-reaching and intensive, enlisting the There are some plans that are already their passion without having to extend their
14% through the year 2031—nearly being developed and implemented in time here.”
triple the national average. expertise and experience of students,
faculty, staff, alumni, community members alignment with Think Big.
WHAT'S NEXT
and other WMU stakeholders. More than In fall 2020, the Counseling Services at
6,000 people have participated in various Now in the fifth and final phase of the
Sindecuse Health Center will introduce
town hall sessions, design groups and Think Big initiative comes the work of
a stepped-care model to better address
surveys since November 2018. developing the creative platform to launch
“Western has prepared me to follow my increasing student mental health needs.
dreams by giving me a well-rounded the brand. In this phase, the Think Big
training in all aspects of musical “This is not our work, this is your work,” “The good news is the stigma of going to team will put the finishing touches on the
theatre, as well as making sure I am says Proudfoot, who is leading the initiative the counselor is no longer real; students are Big Idea by responding to feedback from
prepared for the business side of alongside Dr. Jennifer Bott, provost and fully utilizing our counseling center,” says
performing.”
town halls and expert reviews, and begin
vice president for academic affairs, and Dr. Anderson. “We just need to make sure that implementation and promotion. Phase 5
Kobe Brown Diane Anderson, vice president for student we get students the resources they need.” and the Think Big initiative will conclude
Theatre major affairs. “We are just the facilitators.” with the brand launch at the start of the
Counseling Services will add four intake
Throughout the process, participants counselors to connect students with next school year. ■
have distilled more than 300 ideas to create the most effective and least resource-
a shared vision that encompasses four core intensive intervention available for their
12 wmich.edu/magazine WMU—A Place to Become 13
RESEARCH AND INNOVATION
WMU professor’s research paves the way to
improving pedestrian safety nationwide
Professor Dr. Ron Van Houten
talks about his pedestrian
traffic safety research.
wmich.edu/magazine
35%
PEDESTRIAN
FATALITIES
2008 to 2017
6%
“A lot of the reason the research has had
such an impact is the difference in our
methodology from what people typically do,”
says Hochmuth. “It’s much more detailed
ALL OTHER
and targeted. We put these signs in the road TRAFFIC DEATHS
and you watch behavior change right away.
It’s crazy. And that’s not something that you
see in a lot of research; it usually takes a lot
of time.”
6,283
The research also seems to have lasting
results. Four years after a study in Florida,
yielding continued to increase even though
Hochmuth, left, and Van Houten have done extensive research on ways to no more signs were added near crosswalks
reduce pedestrian deaths on roadways across the country.
around the city.
PEDESTRIANS
“In a sense, what’s changed is culture,” says KILLED IN
It’s not why the chicken crossed the road, SAVING LIVES
His research, which has yielded remarkable
Word quickly spread, putting Van Houten
and his students in high demand. He’s since
Hochmuth. “When you make a certain thing
the most common behavior, even people
TRAFFIC
CRASHES
but how drivers behaved when it did, that IN 2018
results, includes a first-of-its-kind study years trained police on pedestrian operation who never experienced the treatment or
interests Dr. Ron Van Houten. The professor’s * MOST SINCE 1990
ago in Orange City, Florida, where a troubling enforcement across the country, from New intervention are going to learn from what’s
pedestrian traffic safety research is garnering
national attention—and saving lives in number of children had been hit by cars Mexico to New York. being modeled."
PEDESTRIAN FATALITIES
the process. going to and from school. —NHTSA Fatality Analysis Report System
THREE 'E' FORMULA OTHER RESEARCH
One major contributing factor, says Van Education, engineering and enforcement Van Houten and his student-researchers
Houten, was a lack of sidewalks. But he make up the recipe for success Van have also worked extensively with
“EVERYBODY KNOWS SPEEDING IS WRONG AND
also noticed that hardly any drivers were Houten has implemented time and time rectangular rapid flashing beacon—RRFB—
HITTING PEOPLE IS BAD, BUT THERE ARE STILL A
actually following the posted speed limits. again. In fact, his gateway treatments technology, which involves placing a flashing
RECORD NUMBER OF PEDESTRIAN INJURIES AND So, he suggested enlisting police to strictly increasing the yielding distance for drivers light at crosswalks. It’s a treatment that has
FATALITIES,” SAYS VAN HOUTEN, PROFESSOR OF enforce the law when children were walking around crosswalks have driven such become popular across the country.
PSYCHOLOGY, WHOSE RESEARCH EARNED HIM AN to and from school, along with an education impressive results that the Federal Highway
campaign that highlighted the current “They reduce crashes by half,” says Van
OUTSTANDING TRAFFIC SAFETY ACHIEVEMENT Administration is considering modifying
crash statistics. Houten. “One of my graduate students,
AWARD FROM THE GOVERNOR’S TRAFFIC SAFETY standards in the Manual for Uniform Traffic
Jim Shurbutt, who led that study under
ADVISORY COMMISSION IN MICHIGAN AS WELL AS Some worried about pushback and public Control Devices to reflect his findings.
my direction was hired by the Federal
THE INSTITUTE OF TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERS. outcry, but Van Houten drove home the That change could happen once Highway Administration.”
motivating factor of the enforcement: child Van Houten wraps up a yearlong study
safety. Turns out, he was right. with the Florida Department of Hochmuth also helped Van Houten with a
Much of the recognition Van Houten is Transportation, analyzing gateways at project in Grand Rapids, Michigan, involving
“Not one more kid was hit going to and from the enforcement of a five-foot passing law
receiving is for his work developing the 30 different sites across the state.
school in the next three years. That was the for bicycles.
gateway treatment—placing signs on the
end of the speeding. That’s what it takes to “We’re doing this study to prove it’s not just a
edge of the road near crosswalks that drivers “Ron is doing work that produces real change
make a change. You’ve got to get people to regional effect,” Van Houten says.
have to travel between. in communities which, if I could only do one
believe first, because if they don’t, they’re Jon Hochmuth, a doctoral student, has been
“It not only increases yielding, it reduces going to fight it,” Van Houten says. thing, is what I want to do: help people.
helping Van Houten with the research. And on the biggest possible scale I can.” ■
speed at crosswalks,” says Van Houten. “We
went from baseline at some sites of 3% to
80% of drivers yielding to pedestrians.”
14 wmich.edu/magazine Protecting Pedestrians 15
T he nation’s largest conference
for LBGTQ+ college students
is coming to WMU. The
Midwest Bisexual Lesbian Gay
Transgender Asexual College
Conference is expected to draw
more than 2,000 people to
Kalamazoo in February, and
will focus on empowerment
and education within the
community.
It’s a celebration of diversity that
follows a milestone for inclusion
at WMU, where the Office of
Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay and Jayden Martin, Nathan Nguyễn,
Transgender Student Services David Hoskins and Lily Zultowski “Out of 17 colleges, only
recently celebrated 30 years on sit at the Office of LBGT Student
one had an Office of LBGT
campus. Created by graduate Services’ table at Kalamazoo Pride.
Student Services that
assistant Ronald DeVrou in 1989,
the office was just the sixth of its “That was huge; that was game- was broadcasted and
kind in the nation at the time, changing,” Nagel-Bennett says. supported,” says Kilgore,
and the second in the state. “The institution at its highest who remembers seeing
And its influence has blossomed level said we’re going to include the Out at WMU: Faces of
over the decades. these people, and we’re going to Pride poster on the wall
do it by a matter of policy.”
MAKING HISTORY of the Bernhard Center as
1970 “I really have seen it grow from
WMU prides itself on being a a pivotal moment in his
leader in celebrating college decision process.
LBGT office celebrates
WMU Alliance for everything done underground
Gay & Lesbian the diversity of its “Everyone was smiling,
and working to make strides,
Support created campus community.
and I think we’ve really done had their pronouns, sexual
that well in making those orientation and major. It
30 years of inclusion,
FINDING ACCEPTANCE
strides as society has made moved something inside
College is a place of
those strides,” says Dr. Suzie me. I was amazed.”
self discovery, a place
Nagel-Bennett, associate vice
diversity on campus
where students find their
president for student affairs and
independence and decide the
dean of students. “Absolutely we
2006 have work that we still need to
direction their life will take. By all measures, he is a
remarkable young man. A junior
WMU Board of Trustees do, but it has come a long way “You can’t go through academia
passes nondiscrimination in what I consider to be a short and get your degree without majoring in political science
policy to include “We value our LBGT students, faculty, staff and alumni, and we amount of time.” feeling comfortable with as well as communication,
gender identity the Comstock Park, Michigan,
work to provide all members of the community with resources, who you are,” says Marshall
Nagel-Bennett remembers native holds leadership roles in
Kilgore, an openly bisexual
being in the room with the WMU a number of organizations, both
support and opportunities to grow, learn and connect with others. WMU student, “because (your
Board of Trustees in 2006 when on and off campus. It’s a success
sexuality) is something that you
We strive to ensure that WMU is a safe and welcoming environment it voted to add gender identity
don’t get to turn on and off.” story that might be much
and sexual orientation to the different had he not found the
to everyone and that all Broncos can feel comfortable in expressing University’s nondiscrimination The openness Kilgore found
2016 themselves and their ideas.” clause—a giant leap forward on WMU’s campus helped him
courage to be honest about his
identity—both to himself and
Spectrum for the LBGT community on choose the University over to others.
House created campus, led by the tolerance 16 other colleges he was
—President Edward Montgomery, in a message for the “I have been bullied, knocked
and acceptance the Office of accepted to.
30th anniversary of the Office of LBGT Student Services unconscious, called every name
LBGT Student Services had
been working to foster for in the book. I can go on and on
decades prior. about the terrible experiences
16 wmich.edu/magazine A Pioneer of Pride 17Students help M ichigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist visited WMU’s campus in October
to help launch the testing of accessible autonomous shuttles aimed
lead cutting-
at improving transportation options for people with disabilities. WMU
collaborated with a number of partners on this project, including project
lead Pratt & Miller Engineering, based in New Hudson, Michigan.
edge automation “Right now, Michigan is in a race with companies in Silicon Valley and
in countries around the world to revolutionize the future of mobility
research at WMU
through autonomous technology,” Gilchrist says. “The research that
WMU and Pratt & Miller are doing will give us a competitive advantage
and help solidify our position as the car capital of the world for
generations to come.”
Nick Goberville, a mechanical engineering doctoral student, and Johan
Rojas, a mechanical engineering master’s student, are helping coordinate
and carry out this multimillion-dollar project. The accessible autonomous
shuttle pilot was in operation on campus for two weeks in the fall.
The students are working under the guidance of Dr. Zach Asher,
assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering and
director of WMU’s Modeling, Control and Optimization Laboratory.
“This research is important because individuals with disabilities
encounter many challenges when it comes to transportation,” Asher
Students sit and talk in Spectrum House, a living learning community on campus that provides an empowering, inclusive and supportive environment says. “Autonomous vehicles, which require no human-machine
for students of all gender identities and sexual orientations. interaction, have the potential to enable new independence for them.”
that I’ve had that made me want to hide and Winston Lewis III graduated from WMU in Safe on Campus, a training program Rojas always had a fascination with the automotive industry, but he
hate that aspect of myself. If there was not 2015 and now works on campus as a faith launched in 1997, offers information about didn’t discover his interest in automation until coming to WMU. A native
the Office of LBGT Student Services, and if and spiritual advisor. addressing homophobia, supporting of the Dominican Republic, he studied mechanical engineering and
I had not decided to go to WMU, I would students who are coming out, and worked at a power plant for four years before deciding to pursue a
“As humans, we’re communal creatures. We’re
have been in hiding because I didn’t have understanding respectful language as master’s degree in the United States.
social creatures. We need that support from
any support.” it relates to the LBGTQ+ community.
people around us, and it’s even harder when “Western has a lot of research in the automotive field," says
Participants who complete three hours of
you’re marginalized,” says Lewis. “I think the Rojas, whose research related to this project is now being
BUILDING COMMUNITY training get a door sign to display in their
Office of LBGT Student Services is an example published in the Transportation Research Board’s national
“I think a lot of the work we’re doing right campus living or work space.
of what it looks like to bring together people journal. "When I got here, I saw this opportunity to work with
now involves awareness and advocacy, as who, for whatever reason, society has pushed The WMU LBGT Advocate program offers autonomous vehicles. It’s great for my future.”
well as creating spaces for LBGT students away and reminding them that they have a more extensive education on a number of
to figure out their identities,” says Nathan topics involving identity and intersectional
place, they have a purpose.” Goberville arrived at WMU as an undergrad from suburban Chicago.
Nguyễn, who directs the office. social justice. Workshops in the program also While he knew his strengths were in science and math, he didn’t solidify
That openness is something many students INCREASING AWARENESS fulfill some pathway requirements for the his path in engineering until he took a course involving electronics.
AND EDUCATION Pratt & Miller engineers Chris Ferone
say they’ve found comfort and courage in. WMU Signature Program.
and Jeff Reece stand outside the “Being able to do stuff like that is what really got me interested in
“Without my experiences at Western, and “When I first started on campus (in 2016), Sindecuse Health Center offers gender- what I was doing,” says Goberville, who found his passion in robotics
shuttle alongside WMU students
especially without the Office of LBGT Student a lot of the work I would do is how to be affirming care for transgender and nonbinary before getting involved with Asher’s lab. “I wouldn’t be able to have the
Nick Goberville and Johan Rojas.
Services, I wouldn’t be the same person I inclusive, how to be an ally,” Nguyễn says. individuals to align with their true self. That experience I have now if I went to a bigger school. There’s no way I’d be
am today,” says Chris Mattix, a history major “But what’s the next step?” includes mental health evaluations and care, involved this closely with this project or even other research we’re doing
Automation
from Bangor, Michigan. The Office of LBGT Student Services screening tests and gender-affirming in our lab, trying to integrate an autonomous system into a Kia.”
has developed programming aimed at hormone treatment.
“A lot of the time, college makes you feel like The team drew on the expertise of WMU students with disabilities
you’re on your own. That can be great for
creating independence, but when you’re also
emphasizing intersectionality and diversity,
like Trans Thursdays and POSE—People of
Shades Exclusively—which offer a variety of
“We are working feverishly to make sure that
people know that they have a home here,” and sustainability for their accessibility research. Travis Waker advised them on better
accommodating different types of wheelchairs in the shuttles.
coming to terms with your identity, it can be says Kilgore. “The Office of LBGT Student
ways to get involved. are driving the future of the “I think self-driving/autonomous vehicles are just the beginning of an
very isolating. So it’s important to have the Services is a catalyst for all this change and
easier future for people with disabilities and people in general,” says
resources of the office.” WMU also offers a number of programs inclusion that Western really drives home.” ■ auto industry and two graduate Waker, a Howell, Michigan, native in WMU’s counseling psychology
aimed at educating and creating safe spaces graduate program. “I really admire the work the engineers are doing at
for students, faculty and staff. students are leading the charge.
Western, and I’m really glad I can contribute.” ■
18 wmich.edu/magazine Driving Driverless Technology 19GLOBAL Allyson Dykstra, left, and Haley
Ritsema explored the desert in
Wadi Rum, Jordan, during their
LEADERS
study abroad experience with
the Global Leaders program.
USE THEIR
SKILLS TO
HELP
REFUGEES
S urrounded by the crystal blue waters of A MOVING EXPERIENCE LEADING THROUGH SERVICE the rest of the day, did clinical triage with an
the Aegean Sea, the Greek island of Lesvos is A Kalamazoo Promise Scholar, Fernandez Beginning in fall 2018, Fernandez spent two NGO. So everyone’s skills are valuable.”
idyllic. But growing among the olive groves came to WMU in 2015 with plans to semesters training students in leadership Richardson, who grew up in Grand Rapids,
and fishing villages is Moria Refugee Camp, study Arabic and ultimately become a and humanitarian skills. They volunteered Michigan, used her environmental studies
an encampment where some 15,000 people diplomat. Those plans changed spring in Kalamazoo and learned the principles background to help build a community
fleeing from war, terrorism and poverty in semester during an immersive study of compassion through service while also garden, creating a sustainable food source
places like Syria and Afghanistan have abroad experience in Jordan, when a developing humanitarian projects—vetted for people living in the camp.
sought refuge. friend returning from Lesvos suggested he by social work professors in a multi-step
volunteer there. review process—that they could implement Adriana Echols, a geography major from
“Refugees risk their lives sailing on a boat Detroit, rolled up her sleeves and directed
there, trying to get to Greece so they can in Moria Refugee Camp. Then, in May 2019,
“I planned to go for two weeks and come the construction of an office for an NGO
claim asylum,” says Riley Richardson, who is Fernandez and a group of 14 other students
back to Jordan,” says Fernandez, who that provides legal services to refugees
majoring in global international studies and made the trip to Lesvos.
AND LEADING arrived at Moria Camp as an interpreter. seeking asylum.
environmental sustainability. “It still shakes me “By the end of the first day I knew I was not “I think the international, intercultural
to my core thinking about what they’ve gone going back to Jordan. I ended up spending experience is one of the most important “It changed my perspective about the world
through and how they are just trying to have a a whole year working in the refugee camps things that a student can experience,” says and what we can actually do,” she says.
better life.” that dot Europe.” Dr. Jessica Gladden, assistant professor of “To use the skills I had and help people
social work at WMU, who traveled with the that are displaced in the face of the refugee
Richardson is involved in the WMU Global Fernandez traveled around, volunteering crisis that was happening in Lesvos was eye-
Leaders program, a registered student Global Leaders. “You have to really see the
with various nongovernmental opening to me.”
organization focused on leadership through situations that people are living in and talk
organizations that provided food, medical
service. The group spent the summer to them and hear their stories in person The experience also helped solidify Echols’
care and other services to refugees. By the
LEARNING
volunteering in and around Moria. to really understand that it’s not the same future—she now works for Habitat for
end of the year, he’d changed.
everywhere in the world.” Humanity in Oakland, California.
“We are building a new generation of leaders “My skin was a different color from all my
driven by compassion for the world’s most The WMU contingent completed a number “What this program did for me is help figure
time in the sun. I had long hair. I was in
vulnerable and bolstered by competence in of projects in and around Moria—many of out what I want to do and how I can make an
shape from lifting hundred-pound pots
humanitarian skills,” says Sydney Fernandez, which put the skills they’d honed at Western impact,” Echols says.
of boiling water. I spoke Arabic like it
the organization's founder and director. to the test.
was a true second language. I was a In Lesvos, the impact stretched beyond the
different person.” “Everyone got a chance to do something people Echols and her fellow global leaders
roughly related to their academic skills, set out to help.
He made a couple other detours before
personal skills, and, of course, they did tons
returning to WMU, but when he did, “It’s always valuable for the refugees because
of adapting,” Fernandez says.
he was driven to share his passion for they need those programs. They need
helping refugees with other students. After “We had a music therapy student running a something to fill their time and attention and
establishing relationships with partner music therapy program (at the camp). give them hope,” says Gladden. “But for the
Painted by nongovernmental organizations on Lesvos A dancer did athletics with the refugees. students, they actually got to see and talk to
refugees and and rallying support from faculty, the We had a biomed major who is also a and meet and explore different cultures and
volunteers
Global Leaders RSO was born. Division I track athlete for Western who ran situations refugees were in. So, I’m not sure
at the Greek
island Lesvos. with the refugees in the morning and, for who it was more important for.” ■
Adriana Echols directed the construction of an
office for an NGO on Lesvos.
20 wmich.edu/magazine Learning and Leading 21Bridging Barriers “There were two little boys on the other side (of the wall). When
F eet away and worlds apart, a
“We were right there,” Tegethoff says.
“You hear on the news thousands of
they saw us, they came up and started talking to us. They asked
us, ‘Are there any bad people on your side? Because there’s a lot
small group of WMU students speaks on our side.’ That was just so sad.”
people are coming to the border, and
to two young brothers through the
then you walk through the refugee Jazemine Hairston
bars of a tall, rust-covered fence Studying social work and sociology
center and there are hundreds of
A group of honors students is separating El Paso, Texas, from
cots, hundreds of people, and it’s
Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.
learning about immigration just, like, ‘Whoa!’”
“We were just chatting about school,
issues at the U.S.-Mexico what they do for fun,” says Dakota MEETING MIGRANTS
McCracken, an economics major from Students stayed for a week at
border. They’re getting an Kalamazoo. “One of the little boys Annunciation House, a Catholic charity
inside look at what some are asked me, ‘Are there bad guys over in El Paso that offers temporary
there?’ I said, ‘Yes, we do have some shelter for refugees and migrants. As
calling the “border crisis,” bad guys,’ and he said, ‘Oh, we have detention facilities along the border
a lot of bad guys over here.’ Then he soar past capacity, U.S. Immigration
examining the driving forces just kept playing and wrestling with and Customs Enforcement releases
behind record numbers of his brother.” people into the organization’s care—
McCracken is among a group of honors sometimes to the tune of 700 per
migrants making credible fear day. Most, says Bowen, are from
students learning about immigration
issues at the U.S.-Mexico border. what’s been dubbed the “northern
claims, hoping to be granted triangle,” which consists of Honduras,
They’re getting an inside look at
asylum in the United States. what some are calling the “border El Salvador and Guatemala.
crisis,” examining the driving forces “There are groups of hundreds of
It’s part of the Study in the
behind record numbers of migrants people that are coming. They’re coming
States program offered by the making credible fear claims, hoping with their families. They want their
to be granted asylum in the United families out of there; they just don’t
Lee Honors College. States. It’s part of the Study in the want to be raising kids there anymore,”
States program offered by Lee Bowen says. “The majority of the driving
Honors College. factors pushing people here are violence
“It’s a hands-on learning experience,” and poverty, I would say.”
says Kaylee Tegethoff, a political The WMU students helped out at
science major from Bloomingdale, the shelter, cooking meals and
Michigan. “You make connections and handing out items to people as they
you get to develop yourself as a person were processed. The experience gave
versus just as a student.” students the opportunity to interact
Denise Bowen, associate professor with people in various stages of the
emerita of physician assistant studies immigration process.
at WMU, organized the trip. She “We talked with people who were just
designed the course to give students released from detention, who had
a front-row seat to the immigration ankle bracelets on (awaiting court
issues making headlines and sparking dates), who were just granted asylum
debate across the country. or who just got here from another
“I wanted them to be able to engage country and were undocumented and
with people later, to talk about this were going to turn themselves in,”
and to maybe get rid of some of their Tegethoff says.
misconceptions and help other people
do that, too,” Bowen says. “It was
definitely an immersion experience.”
22 wmich.edu/magazine Bridging Barriers 23You can also read
