Alumni News
July 23, 2024
Bronco Alumna Bridges Medical Gaps Across Continents
Bethel Mwenze (B.S.’18, Biological Sciences) immigrated with her family to the U.S. from Uganda in 2006 when her father was accepted into the master's and Ph.D. program at Western Michigan University’s Mallinson Institute for Science Education. Bethel grew up in Kalamazoo and made early connections with Western faculty, so when...
July 12, 2024
The Creative Force Known as Josh Weaver
When asked about a formative experience he had as a student, Josh Weaver (B.A.’10, Public Relations) quipped, “What wasn’t?” The sentiment behind his response is sincere though. “Most of the skills that separate me as an employee or entertainer have roots in my time at Western,” he continued. The exuberant...
February 22, 2024
For Kyle Gernhofer, it’s Game, Set, Smile
Kyle Gernhofer (B.S.′00, Biomedical Sciences) has seamlessly transitioned from serving aces on the tennis court to serving others with his dental expertise. “Growing up in Traverse City, Michigan, playing competitive tennis was a big part of my life,” he said. “I wanted to play Division I tennis and my decision...
January 24, 2024
Alumna Brings Down the House as Performer and Teacher
You could say that music has coursed through this alumna’s veins since birth. After all, Diane Steinberg-Lewis (aka Dianne Steinberg), B.M.′71, comes from a long line of talented musicians. Her father Luther started playing with Tuff Greene’s “The Rocketeers.” After hearing the band in 1947, Mose Allison credited Tuff and...
November 17, 2023
Vintage Gown, Timeless Bronco: Kay Polzin's Story
Behind this beautiful vintage wedding dress is a timeless Bronco. Kathryn (Kay) Stimson Polzin (B.A.’46, Mathematics) has a long history with East Campus. She not only earned a bachelor’s degree from what was then Western Michigan College of Education, but also graduated from the Training School in 1938 and University...
October 24, 2023
From Frying Wings to Clinical Psychologist
First-generation college student Chris Barnes (B.S. ‘04, Psychology) didn’t know what he wanted, or even what to expect when he started at Western Michigan University. “I remember going up to campus with my then-girlfriend, now wife, to find my first few classes and buildings,” he said. “I had no idea...