Alumni News
June 28, 2016
Career Services Expert
The director of WMU’s Zhang Career Center has been awarded the 2016 Career Services Professional Award from the Michigan Career Educator and Employer Alliance. Geralyn Heystek (B.B.A. ’79; M.B.A. ’83; M.A. ’14, College Counseling) received the award during the MCEEA annual conference in June. The award is given to the...
June 26, 2016
Pilot to Physician
In 2010, Garrett Heinz (B.S. ’06, Aviation Flight Science) was manning the controls in the cockpit of an airliner. Six years later, he was steering his way across a stage to pick up his degree as a new doctor of osteopathic medicine. On May 7 Heinz, who grew up in...
June 19, 2016
Merze Tate Travel Club
As the daughter of a single parent, Sonya Bernard-Hollins (B.A.’93, English) didn't go on vacations at all. Her love for reading took her to places she never imagined. Her desire was to become a reporter, and travel the world. When her elementary teacher took her to Niagara Falls, she was...
June 06, 2016
Dream Big!
Two Michigan educators are teaching elementary-aged children to DREAM BIG through real life Michigan adventures and learning experiences. Tracy Foster (B.A. ’96, Elementary Education) is a kindergarten teacher and Shannon Cooper-Toma is a principal for Corunna Public Schools. Each school year, Foster takes themed registration photos for all of her...
June 01, 2016
Unstoppable
Mary Jane Mapes (B.S.; M.A., Speech) was teaching high school British literature when she decided to start her own business offering communication courses to local corporations. Today, she is the President and Founder of The Aligned Leader Institute and a sought after keynote speaker, seminar leader, and executive coach. Also...
May 30, 2016
Chief of Naval Personnel
Vice Adm. Robert Burke (B.S. '84, Electrical Engineering) became the 58th Chief of Naval Personnel (CNP) in late May. Prior to the change of office, Burke was promoted to the rank of vice admiral by Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. John Richardson. "There is no doubt that we are in...