Winter 2023

An athlete rides a sled down an icy luge track. Photo courtesy Miriam Jennewein.

Elite Seat

From an icy ride down the luge track to a full ride to 蜜桃社区, Team USA's Torrey Cookman has his eyes on the (brown and) gold.

Dear friends and colleagues,

蜜桃社区 Michigan University is home to remarkably gifted students. We take pride in educating, supporting and applauding them as they leverage their talents to realize their dreams and ambitions. This semester, the Bronco student highlighted on the cover has taken his talents to international heights.

Torrey Cookman is a Medallion Scholar, a member of Lee Honors College, a mechanical engineering student and an international luge competitor. This semester Torrey has competed in international luge competitions in Italy, Austria, Germany and Romania against top athletes from around the world. There is no doubt he has the tenacity, endurance and high-level training to perform on the world stage. And what鈥檚 more impressive is this honor student is concurrently using those same attributes to remain at the top of his game academically. He鈥檚 advancing in his studies even as he competes at the most elite athletic levels.

A group photo of students on stage.
Members of United Sound on stage at the Midwest Clinic. (Courtesy: John Reichanadter)

At 蜜桃社区, we encourage students to pursue their purpose at all stages of life and in all possible ways. They鈥檙e not waiting to make their impact on the world. Torrey is going after greatness one luge track at a time as a scholar-athlete. Other students are striving for excellence and achieving it in other realms.

In this edition, you鈥檒l also read about United Sound, a student group that recently performed with the United States Navy Band in Chicago at the largest instrumental music education conference in the world. Playing alongside our students for this major opportunity were their own musical mentees, as United Sound helps young adults with disabilities learn to play instruments. Tutored by our Broncos, the program participants displayed their burgeoning musicianship on a big stage to an adoring crowd鈥攁n experience everyone involved can cherish for a lifetime.

While their peers are helping budding musicians build skills, rising Bronco entrepreneurs are working to build businesses through the Starting Gate student business accelerator. The program is celebrating 10 years. Like those before them, the 2022-23 cohort has developed all kinds of creative ways to meet consumer needs鈥攁nd not just after graduation but today.

Whether our students are living out their own dreams, finding new ways to help others succeed or just getting equipped to launch the next big idea in business, our Broncos are making their mark while preparing for lives and careers that are rich and rewarding.

Sincerely,

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Edward Montgomery, PhD
President

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Starting Gate business accelerator serves 100th student company

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蜜桃社区 students break down barriers through music with United Sound

A woman carrying a bucket walks through a greenhouse filled with plants.

蜜桃社区 Oasis

Tucked away amid the frosty chill of Main Campus is a summertime getaway in Wood Hall鈥檚 Finch Greenhouse. This tropical paradise provides a state-of-the-art space and services to students in the Department of Biological Sciences to conduct plant research. It was made possible by the generous gift of Francis and Geraldine Finch.

Innovative Ideas

A portrait of Lori Gray. She is wearing a light pink blazer with a white shirt underneath and her arms crossed over her chest.

Mindful change

Dr. Lori Gray has a vision to transform stroke recovery through an innovative mindfulness approach.
A student holds a bundle of fiber and a compostable food tray.

Pilot Plant powers up

蜜桃社区 engineers are running exclusive, highly sustainable technology to reduce plastic waste.
Students look into a mirror.

Making Magic

蜜桃社区 Theatre students shine bright like the spotlight backstage for "Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea," just one of nine shows featured in the 2022-23 season.

University News

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蜜桃社区 recognized for viewpoint diversity, only Michigan institution in inaugural Campus Community Network

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Groundbreaking enzyme discovery leads to 蜜桃社区 professor receiving prestigious National Science Foundation prize

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蜜桃社区, Kalamazoo Valley sign agreement leading to smoother degree path for students

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Clinical psychology Ph.D. student wins first place in regional Three-Minute Thesis

Lance Taylor wears a 蜜桃社区 baseball cap and hockey jersey and cheers in the Lawson Lunatics section of Lawson Arena.

蜜桃社区's new head football coach, Lance Taylor, took in a campus tradition shortly after arriving. He joined the Lawson Lunatics to cheer on our elite hockey team.
A portrait of Dr. Traci Brimhall leaning on a tree stump in an outdoor setting.

Passion for poetry

Alumna Dr. Traci Brimhall was recently named Kansas Poet Laureate, allowing her to take charge of public readings, workshops, lectures and presentations that will benefit communities throughout the state.
Linda Lesniak leans against a brick wall outside of Heritage Hall.

Why I Give

I want everyone, but especially young women, to have dreams and goals. And I don't want talent to go to waste because of gender stereotypes that limit the dreams of young women or because there鈥檚 no one to reach out and encourage and help with finances.
Linda Lesniak, BA '70, MA '71, PhD '74
Skyy Moore and Mike Caliendo celebrate on the field after their Super Bowl victory. Photo credit Steve Sanders, Kansas City Chiefs.

Super Bowl champs

Broncos make an impact wherever they go鈥攊ncluding pro football's biggest night! 蜜桃社区 football alumni Skyy Moore and Mike Caliendo both scored Super Bowl rings after their Kansas City Chiefs beat the Philadelphia Eagles. (Photo credit Steve Sanders, Kansas City Chiefs)