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KALAMAZOO, Mich.—The College of Arts and Sciences at Â鶹´«Ã½ honored 15 distinguished graduates at the Alumni Achievement Awards ceremony on Friday, October 14, in Miller Auditorium.

Every year, the College of Arts and Sciences encourages each of its 25 academic units to select one outstanding alumnus to be honored over homecoming weekend for their achievements and contributions to their field and the communities in which they engage.

"These 15 remarkable graduates have made significant contributions to their organizations and communities while upholding our college’s core values and ideals in everything they do," says Dr. Carla Koretsky, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. "We are honored to be able to recognize them for their accomplishments and dedication to excellence."

This year's award honorees represent an extraordinary breadth and diversity of careers and accomplishments, including multiple award-winning educators, entrepreneurs, innovators and professionals who exemplify the college's mission of inspiring and sustaining a passion for learning and discovery in the humanities, social sciences and sciences; helping Â鶹´«Ã½s, staff and faculty to succeed in life; and contributing to the betterment of our communities, from local to global.

Awards were given to the following College of Arts and Sciences alumni: 

• Dr. Erica Wehrwein (Department of Biological Sciences)
• Mike Burns (Department of Economics)
• Jenny Doezema (Institute of the Environment and Sustainability)
• Sara K. Pearson (Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences)
• Kathryn Giroux (Global and International Studies)
• Daniall Poulsen (Mallinson Institute for Science Education)
• Dr. M. Lynn Breyfogle (Department of Mathematics)
• William Parsons (Department of History)
• Michael Scott Johnson (Institute for Intercultural and Anthropological Studies)
• Dr. Peggy Vandenberg (Department of Philosophy)
• Dr. Elias Garratt (Department of Physics)
• Collin Mays (Department of Political Science)
• Dr. Bernardine Pinto (Department of Psychology)
• Angela Bennett (School of Public Affairs and Administration)
• Margaret Bullard-Marshall (Department of Spanish)

From among the honorees, the College of Arts and Sciences also selected three excellent alumni to receive the Pillar Awards, representing WMU’s three pillars: globally engaged, discovery driven and learner centered. This year's Pillar Awards were given to Mike Burns (globally engaged), Dr. Bernardine Pinto (discovery driven), and Dr. Erica Wehrwein (learner centered).

In addition, William Parsons, the Department of History honoree, received a surprise special tribute for his accomplishments from several area and state legislators, including State Sen. Sean McCann, State Rep. Julie M. Rogers, State Rep. Christine Morse, State Rep. Matt Hall, State Rep. Beth Griffin, Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

Full biographies on the Alumni Achievement Award honorees can be found at /arts-sciences/alumni/alumni-awards.

For more WMU news, arts and events, visit WMU News online.