WMU’s 2025 fall awards to spotlight distinguished contributions across campus

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University’s Fall Awards Celebration on Friday, Oct. 3, will recognize exceptional faculty and staff, including awards for outstanding teaching, service and longtime and emerging scholarly work. The celebration begins at 11 a.m. in Kirsch Auditorium of the Fetzer Center. 

President Russ Kavalhuna and Dr. Chris Cheatham, interim provost and vice president for academic affairs, will lead the celebration. The annual event recognizes recipients of special honors of Distinguished Service, Distinguished Teaching, Distinguished Faculty Scholar, Emerging Scholar, Excellence in Diversity, Global Engagement and Make a Difference awards. 

Award recipients 

2024-25 Make a Difference Annual Awards 

Gary Barton IV, marketing manager in the Office of Information Technology 

Michael Lininger, police officer, and Brax, K9 officer, Department of Public Safety 

Cristine Thomas, program manager for the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences 

Destiny Wallace, undergraduate advisor for the Gilmore School of Music 

Distinguished Service Awards 

Dr. Whitney DeCamp, professor of sociology 

Dr. Lori A. Wingate, executive director of the WMU Evaluation Center 

Distinguished Teaching Awards 

Dr. Julie Apker, professor of communication 

Dr. Daniela Schröter, associate professor of public administration 

Distinguished Faculty Scholar Award 

Dr. Mohamed Sultan, professor of geological and environmental sciences 

Emerging Scholar Award 

Dr. Laiyin Zhu, associate professor of environment, geography and sustainability 

Excellence in Diversity Awards 

Native American Student Organization 

Global Engagement Awards 

Dr. Pnina Ari-Gur, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering 

Chef Andrew Francisco, associate director of culinary operations and executive chef, WMU Dining Services