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A Global Gathering

A Global Gathering
The Fetzer institute is non-profit organization in Kalamazoo that fosters awareness of the power of love and forgiveness in the emerging global community. Founded by John Fetzer, radio and television executive and former owner of the Detroit Tigers, the Fetzer Institute's work is grounded in the simple idea of creating greater civility in the lives of all people.

In late September, the Fetzer Institute hosted an international event in Assisi, Italy—The Global Gathering— which brought together 500 thought leaders, or Advisory Council Members, from around the world. The purpose of the gathering was to address compelling questions related to the power of love and forgiveness in the world.
Experts shared insights on love and forgiveness at work in a wide range of disciplines—spanning law, business, health care, the world of sports, and more.

Convening—for the very first time—all of the Institute’s advisors and various international leaders, the event advanced what had been collectively learned about the power of love and forgiveness from a diverse range of sectors.

The five-day event could not have been pulled off without the help of many Broncos.

The Advisory Councils included notable leadership and faculty from WMU:

Larry Tolbert (BA '75, Political Science) Board of Trustees

Rick Gershon, Professor of Communication, College of Arts & Sciences

Earlie Washington, Dean of the College of Health and Human Services

Margaret Merrion, Dean of the College of Fine Arts

David Colson, Director of the School of Music, College of Fine Arts

The Fetzer Institute staff also includes a number of Bronco faculty, students, alumni, and past employees:

Dawn Andres (Student, Master's Certificate Program for Non-profit Leadership and Administration)

Jennifer Cohen (BBA '93, Advertising; Lee Honors College)

Amy Ferguson (BA '89; MA '93, English)

Jimyo Ferworn (BBA '79, Accounting; MBA '87, Finance) has a Husband with a  BBA in Marketing from WMU.

Julie Gant (MA '95, Educational Leadership)

Angela Graham is part time adjunct faculty for School of Public Administration, and her husband is Director of Exhibitions for the Frostic School of Art.

Deborah Higgins (BA '01; MA '08, Sociology) mother worked for WMU and her first job after graduating high school was at Western. Higgins worked at WMU for 20 years before leaving in 2001 to join the Fetzer Institute staff. She met her husband Bob at WMU, where he was employed for 35 years. AND her niece is majoring in biochemistry.

Kim Hillebrand (BA '92, Cultural Anthropology; BS '95, Biological Sciences)

John Howie (MA '81, Counselor Ed. & Counseling Psychology; PhD '95, Counselor Ed. & Counseling Psychology) had his doctoral internship at the Counseling Center. Howie's wife, who he met at WMU, has been a faculty member for 20 years.

Tiffany Washington-Jackson (BBA '99, Finance) has a multi-generation Bronco Family.

Kellen Manley (BA '06, Film, Video & Media Studies) met his wife, who has two WMU degrees (and wrote this post!), in lot #102 while tailgating for a Bronco football game.

Scott Matteson (BA ' 84, MA '91, English) taught as an adjunct professor for several years.

Cindy Murray (BS '97, Health Studies; MS '99, Social Work; Master Certificate in Holistic Health) Teaches part time in the Department of Social Work.

Anne Cullen Puente (Ph.D '09, Interdisciplinary Evaluation) Served as Principal Research Associate at The Evaluation Center from 2005-2011.

Sarah Wade (BA '00, Human Resources Management)

Richard Whitney (BS '07, Psychology, Student of Political Science) Plans to begin MPA in School of Public Affairs and Administration in 2013.

To learn more about the Fetzer Institute or the Global Gathering, please follow the link below:

WEBSITE — FETZER INSTITUTE