That includes family friends. Kiersten Slater, Kelsey Wood, and Devyn Vincent grew up calling the Saighs their aunt and uncle. From the time they were young, the Saighs took an active role in the girls’ lives, who are the daughters of close friends, doing anything from making Christmas tree ornaments during to—of course—attending WMU sporting events, especially football and basketball games. The Saighs even went as far as regularly refreshing the girls’ wardrobes with Bronco sweat suits and other apparel.
Vincent remembered being on campus with them when she was ‘really little.’ “We were always wearing Western gear,”she said.
Fast forward a few years, and three ‘nieces’ decided to attend WMU.
“We were very excited!” said Michelle,“I’ve spent a lot of my life at WMU and to have the girls experience what I have means so much.”
As a teenager, Michelle volunteered in the Financial Aid Office. During her sophomore year at WMU, she began working full time in the same office, and still managed to graduate in four years. But her connections to WMU go even further back than that—her mom worked on campus and on Sundays she would take Michelle to do her homework at Waldo Library. After graduating, Michelle continued to work at WMU for some time before taking a position with the U.S. Department of Education.
Kelsey Wood, who is double majoring in creative writing and fashion design, has fond memories of attending WMU games with the Saighs. “My earliest memory is of going to a Western basketball game and I was all decked out in Western gear, war paint, temporary tattoos, the whole nine yards. I even had brown and gold pompoms that I was waving around.”
Wood is a member of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority, along with Slater. Vincent graduated this summer, majoring in Biology, with minor in chemistry and psychology. Vincent said that the Saighs encouraged her to go to WMU throughout school.
Last year, the Saighs enjoyed Homecoming with their ‘nieces,’ and were overjoyed to have the chance to reminisce about the times they spent on campus so many years ago. “They get how special it is” Michelle said, “It’s very rewarding- to know that they went to college there, it’s just a very nice compliment.”
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