College of Arts and Sciences students win big in 2025
From the ice rink to the dance floor to the radio booth, College of Arts and Sciences students were a part of accomplishments at the highest level this year. They skated past, danced around and tuned out the competition as they as they made their mark on the national stage.
Men's hockey wins NCAA National Championship
For the first time in Western’s Michigan University’s history, the men’s hockey team won the NCAA national championship in St. Louis, Missouri on April 16, defeating Boston University 6-2.
The entire weekend was electric. Broncos took to the streets to celebrate the his
toric win: not only was it the first national title for WMU Hockey, but the first NCAA championship since men’s cross-country won the title in 1964.
“To see the pride of so many in response to our first hockey national championship has been so special to me, our team and our staff,” says Dan Bartholomae, vice president and director of athletics. “We are so fortunate to have such a national reach in athletics, which allows us the opportunity to share so much of what makes WMU special with such a wide, national audience.”
The College of Arts and Sciences was proud to have two players on the team for the historic event: Cameron Rowe, a graduate student in the geographic information science certificate program, and Samuel Sjölund, a senior studying psychology.
Rowe recently signed a contract with the Rockford Ice Hogs, the AHL affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks, while Sjölund plans to continue his studies at WMU next year.
WMU dance team wins national championship
Hockey wasn’t the only group making history this past spring: WMU’s dance team brought home yet another national title for the Broncos: The Division I Jazz national championship at the College Classic in Orlando, Florida on April 13.
Four dancers studying in the College of Arts and Sciences experienced the monumental moment as members of the championship team: Eliana Jahjah, a junior studying biological sciences, Emily Krapohl, a sophomore studying political sciences, Sydni Robinson, a senior studying biomedical sciences, and Sophia Smith, a senior studying psychology.
Western finished with a top score of 93.74, outscoring 14 teams including, Central Michigan University, Ohio University and Florida Gulf Coast University.
Intercollegiate skate team advances to nationals
Also skating onto the national stage this spring was Western’s intercollegiate figure skating team, who qualified for the National Intercollegiate Final. The competition, which was held April 11-13 at the University of Notre Dame, showcases the top skating teams nationwide.
The College of Arts and Sciences is represented on the figure skating team by several skaters:
Peyton Huttenlocker, M.A ‘25, Madison Bellof, B.S ‘25 Meghan Gregory, B.S. 25, Hannah Wardin, a senior studying political science, Natalie Duncan, a junior studying criminal justice and psychology, Cenendra Hawn, a senior studying psychology, Colleen Paisley, a junior studying social studies with secondary education, Mary Palamara, a junior studying history with secondary education, Anna Beckhord, a sophomore studying environmental and sustainability studies, and Sophia Rivera, a sophomore studying film, video and media studies.
“Congratulations to our student athletes who do such an incredible job of balancing their athletic and academic pursuits. WMU student athletes are not only winning championships, but continue to set cumulative GPA records,” says Carla Koretsky, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
WIDR wins Best Station in the nation
In early March, WIDR traveled to New York City for the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System Awards during the 85th annual IBS International Media Conference. WIDR secured the top award of the night: the Abraham & Borst Award for Best Overall Station and were named the Best College/University Station.
“2025 is the year for national championships at WMU and 89.1 WIDR-FM joined the party! This recognition speaks volumes about the incredible work our students do for 89.1 WIDR-FM,” says Glen Dillon, assistant director for student media. “I’m so proud of this team and all that they have accomplished. The impact of their contributions continues to build on a WMU tradition that started over 70 years ago when WIDR made its debut, and the future sure looks great too.”
Cully Cooper, B.A. ‘25, a recent graduate of film, video and media studies, helped the station blossom over the past three years while serving as general manager.
“This award is a recognition of how far we have come as a radio station. All the credit goes to a fantastic team of WIDR directors and volunteers,” Cooper says.
Across the student media group, which includes WIDR and the Western Herald, WMU students were named as finalists for thirteen different awards.
Kayla Lambert, B.A. ‘25, a recent graduate of English and political science and former managing editor of the Western Herald, took home the Best Celebrity or Artist Interview award for her segment with rock band Neon Trees.
“I’m really grateful to have gotten to work alongside WIDR for the project,” says Lambert. “It’s not very often you get the opportunity to meet celebrities and interview them.”
For many CAS students, the student media group serves as a second home, a place where those studying journalism, media, film or other related fields, can apply their classroom learning through hands-on experience, build professional skills and express their creativity along the way.
As WMU continues to support excellence across disciplines, this past year was a testament to the talent, dedication and achievement of College of Arts and Sciences students both in and outside of the classroom.
For more WMU news, arts and events, visit WMU News online.