Western Michigan University told Gary Dembs (B.S.’78) no at first. He not only turned that rejection into a yes, but also into a successful and rewarding career. 
“I first applied to WMU in January of my senior year, 1974, and was declined,” he says. “I reapplied in late summer that year and was accepted. I read my original rejection letter to Dr. John Dunn [Western’s eighth president] during the 2008 WMU School of Communications Outstanding Alumni induction ceremony.
“It was a reminder that persistence pays off,” he continues.
A first-generation college student from Southfield, Michigan, Gary chose Western for its strong communications program and vibrant campus life. Because his high school also had a longstanding radio station, he quickly found a home at WIDR-FM (recently named the nation’s best college radio station).
Serving as sports director and then general manager of Western’s student-run radio station were formative experiences for Gary. He helped put WIDR on air as an FM station in 1975.
His campus involvement went beyond the airwaves, too. “I was a sportswriter and opinion columnist at the Western Herald and was part of the Student Entertainment Committee, bringing in nationally known speakers like Mel Blanc and John Dean [former White House Counsel and major Watergate scandal figure], along with dozens of major concerts,” he says. “These experiences helped me tremendously with organizational skills, people management and building a more solid sense of self.”
Working at WIDR also yielded one of Gary’s favorite campus memories.
“Being the play-by-play voice of the 1976 Bronco basketball team when the team had the best season (still) in its history, finishing #10 in the USA, and making it into the second round of the NCAA tournament,” he recalls, “that was truly special.”
When it comes to faculty, mentor and beloved professor Dr. Jules Rossman (1927-2022) left a lasting impression on him. Dr. Rossman taught communications in the College of Arts and Sciences for 27 years and was a faculty advisor for WIDR for 13 years. A scholarship fund bearing his name—The Jules Rossman Scholarship Fund—supports students working at WIDR to this day.
“He was a great teacher and mentor to me and hundreds of others,” Gary says.
Following his graduation with a bachelor’s degree in communications, Gary embarked on a long career in broadcasting and public relations before founding the Non-Profit Personnel Network (NPPN) in 1987. His firm helps strengthen nonprofit organizations through executive searches, fundraising and organizational development.
“Owning this fundraising, marketing and executive search business for 38 years is one of my proudest accomplishments,” Gary says.
Yet his drive to give back doesn’t stop there.
In 1990, he co-founded Yad Ezra, Michigan’s only kosher food pantry and served as its first president. Gary was also two-time president of the Association of Fundraising Professionals-Greater Detroit Chapter and co-founder of the chapter’s National Philanthropy Day celebration and has sat on numerous boards including Forgotten Harvest and Spaulding for Children. He has shared his expertise teaching nonprofit fundraising and marketing at Wayne State University, as well as presenting at national conferences.
From his early days at WIDR to his decades of service in the nonprofit world, Gary has remained a proud Bronco striving to inspire others to lead with heart and make a difference.
“Take career chances and be bold and persistent,” he advises current Broncos. “While at WMU I took only one public relations course and wound up with a long career in that field. Get involved in the community for whatever your mission or passion might be.”
Gary’s story demonstrates that setbacks don’t have to be the end; they can be the beginning of something pretty great. 
Have an alumni success story you’d like to share? We’d love to hear it! Share your story ideas today at WMUalumni.org/YourStory.