Raise The W: Recent Episodes
MyWMU
Learn about the people, places, and programs that make Western Michigan University the special place that it is.
New to the position but not new to WMU, Dr. Staci Perryman-Clark is ready to take on her job as Associate Dean of the Lee Honors College.
Committed to helping the whole Bronco family, hear how Director of Family Engagement Shari Glaser is fostering student success.
Hear how Haworth College of Business student, Avery Green, used Starting Gate to develop his fashion startup, House of Pariah.
WMU's jazz ensemble, Gold Company has been going strong for 40 years. Greg Jasperse has been directing the ensemble since 2013, showing no signs of slowing down.
Listen to how WMU's Director of Major Gifts, Kyle Herm, is keeping alumni connected to their alma mater.
Every Bronco needs to eat. Listen to how Judy Gipper is making sure that can happen as WMU's Director of Dining Services.
Listen to how Carla Koretsky, Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences is equipping Bronco students to achieve great things during their time here.
Listen to Fritz Allhoff detail his adventures taking groups of Broncos to remote villages in order to prepare tax returns.
Hear how Bronco Alumnus Keith Thompson is using his skills as the Chief Meteorologist for NEWSCHANNEL 3.
Listen to how Bronco student Desi Taylor founded a travel agency with a twist, Cluventure and went on to win a top business competition.
Listen to how Gary Bischof, Dean of the Lee Honors College is preparing students for the future.
Dedicated to her students, hear how Bette Ludwig is advancing WMU's Department of Psychology.
Listen to how WMU Alumna Laura Chang is paving the way for our next generation as Michigan's Teacher of the Year.
Instilling students with innovation, listen to Satish Deshpande, Dean of the Haworth College of Business, tell his story.
With more than 30 years in higher education experience, hear how Dr. Terrence Curran is focused on creating a diverse environment, while increasing retention rates.
Listen to how Director of University Recreation Amy Seth and her team are transforming the way students, faculty, and staff or WMU have fun while exercising their brains and bodies.
Following a celebration marking 10 years on campus, hear how Director of Family Engagement, Shari Glaser is passionate about supporting families and students as they embark in new adventures on campus.
Since taking his first steps on WMU's campus in 1971, Dr. Robert Felkel became an integral part of the Spanish department and the University as a whole until his retirement in 2018.
Refusing to let past adversities define her, Dr. Leigh Ford leads WMU's School of Communication with innovation and passion. Listen to hear more about her story and how the School of Communication is aiding in the overall success of the University.
Listen to Dr. Mary Stark and Austin Seavolt describe how a recent $2 million grant aimed at boosting diversity, Empowering Nursing Students for Success, is helping nursing students graduate from WMU's School of Nursing.
With a desire to travel and the passion to make a difference, hear how Rebecca Davis made the most of her experience as a WMU student as a Communication Studies major and a member of Alternative Bronco Breaks.
As a two-time alumnus WMU ('02; '05), Ron Dillard is committed to helping students from Kalamazoo Public Schools succeed during all stages of their academic journey.
Lauren LaLonde has taken full advantage of the incredible student opportunities offered at WMU. From joining the Lee Honors College to becoming a peer advisor for the Study Abroad Office, hear how Lauren is shaping her Bronco experience.
Listen to how one of our newest alumni, Elissa Kedziorek spent her time at WMU, engaging and informing students through her editorship at the University's student-run newspaper, The Western Herald.
From studying media literacy in California to helping orchestrate food-marketing conferences, student Samantha McGrath is learning how to cater to consumers through the Lee Honors College and Haworth College of Business.
Chapter President of Refugee Outreach Collective and transfer student, Nathan Browning is committed to fighting for human rights and making both WMU and Greater Kalamazoo a safe haven for all types of people.
Gail Foldenauer and Calvin Miller are two of the first faces new students see when they come to WMU as employees of the Office of Student Transitions. Listen to how they are creating Bronco Pride, from academics to social life.
As a three-time alumna of WMU and Director of Precollege Programming, Erika Carr is committed to equipping future generations to be successful during their college careers.
When it comes to being a leader who knows how to have fun, Hailey Mangrum is the right person for the job. As Assistant Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life, she helps to facilitate a sense of belonging for many students.
Russ Kavalhuna chats with Tim about his journey to WMU, his decision to attend law school or to be a pilot, how the College is operated like an airline, and why he eventually chose higher education over piloting.
Listen to Thye Fischman’s journey from a BIG10 family to making a BIG impact on WMU’s campus.
Past President of the WMU Alumni Association, Jennifer Lentner explores her path from graduate to involved alumna, why she believes other alumni should be active with their alma mater, and the advice she would give to her 19-year-old self.
Scott Merlo leads WMU public safety through education, engagement, and enforcement. Listen to learn about keeping campus safe.
Drive Safe Kalamazoo gave its first free, safe, no-judgement ride in 2003, and 14 years later the program is still going strong. The legacy scholarship recipient and Seita Scholar who co-chair DSK discuss who they serve
Sime Curkovic discusses how teaching students to cut the bottom line by making processes and manufacturing better, faster, and cheaper helped the WMU Integrated Supply Chain Management program become one of the best in the nation.
Trey Sims discusses the unique experiential aspect of the WMU Music Education program, how he arrived at WMU, the correction pronunciation of Clio, Michigan, and the advice he would give to his 15-year-old self.
Listen to Kalamazoo native and WMU Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, Kathy Beauregard, discuss her storied career at WMU; how WMU garnered $84 million in free media exposure during the 2016 football season, and what that money does for WMU.
Theatre student Elizabeth Clary shares why she loves creating magic on stage and what’s she’s found in the WMU Theatre Dept.
Listen as Ming Li describes growing up in China during a period of anti-intellectualism and how it fueled his passion for education.
Coach Gernon explains how baseball is a lot like a game of chess and what blew him away during last year’s MAC Tournament
Katherine Kennedy talks about how dance is a universal form of communication and how she found her way to WMU.
Recorded at WMUK studios, Tim interviews Chris Praedel, Associate Director of Engagement for the WMU Office of Development and Alumni Relations, who went from being a paperboy on the city’s north eastern side to breaking a Guinness World Record on campus.
The new age of recruiting is discussed by WMU Men’s Basketball Coach Steve Hawkins, along with his path to coaching at WMU and his experience with legendary UCLA Coach John Wooden.
Lifelong Bronco and WMU Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion, Martha Warfield, shares her 50-year experience on campus, the progress made in diversity, the current climate, and the work that still needs to be done to make WMU the best we can be.
Linda Dunn spent her childhood bouncing between California, New York, and Hawaii before finally settling in New York State. She has been an inspirational advocate for students and the arts during her 10 years in West Michigan.
Former Hormel executive, Bob Samples, explains how he helps prepare tomorrow’s food marketing executives by using real life lessons and why WMU offers the best mix of food marketing and sales programs in the country.
The Director of the Center for Academic Success Programs, Randy Ott, tells about the programs established in his office to attend to the varied needs of the student body and the growth the Center has made.
Listen to the most memorable moments of Bronco Athletics glory according to Voice of the Broncos, Robin Hook, and how WMU Volleyball in the 80s offered an opportunity in sports broadcasting that led to a 30+ year ride of WMU wins and championships.
Dean of the College of Fine Arts, Dan Guyette, talks about his past in the world of performing and fine arts, what brought him to WMU, and his vision of the college and the new Product Design & Innovation program.
The Dean of the WMU College of Aviation and former chief pilot for United Airlines, Capt. Dave Powell, explains how air travel will evolve over the next 20 years and why WMU is positioned to meet increasing demands in the aviation industry.
Communication between humans and machines is a hot topic and WMU professor Chad Edwards shares insight into his research. Listen to his journey from the University of Kansas and how a chance opportunity made him and his wife Autumn professors at WMU.
WMU Legend (and WMU’s new football coach), Tim Lester, discusses the challenges of returning home to lead Bronco Football and shares favored memories from his playing career.
Listen to what Jody finds interesting about both teaching and coaching, how she has helped transform the University through her leadership of the Strategic Planning Project, and what she's learned about the WMU family through that process.
WMU’s 8th President, John M. Dunn, tells the story of devoting his life to educating young people. Hear about the path that took him from growing up in rural Illinois to Oregon, back to Illinois, and ultimately, WMU. It’s another great day to be a Bronco!
After spending her life on college campuses, Diane Anderson, WMU’s Vice President of Student Affairs, shares her thoughts on the importance of being a nurturing presence to the student body.