Displaying items tagged: Western Michigan University

KALAMAZOO — Armune BioScience Inc.’s sale to Madison, Wis.-based Exact Sciences Corp. reinforces the reality that some West Michigan-based life sciences firms will have to move out of the region to grow.

The federal research grants that Dr. Tom Rothstein and a colleague brought along when they came to Kalamazoo represent a milestone of sorts for the Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine.

As Congress debated the Affordable Care Act over 15 months in 2009 and 2010, then-U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak sought to strike a balance.

Here is the MiBiz Growth Report for Oct. 2, 2017.

PORTAGE — Staffing firm OnStaff USA is struggling to find applicants for the 400 open jobs it has available right now in Southwestern Michigan.

West Michigan educators and at least one business group say the Trump administration’s plan to rescind the Deferred Action of Childhood Arrivals program already is leading to anxiety and uncertainty.

GRAND RAPIDS — Adding clarity to the definition of the word “charitable” as it applies to Michigan nonprofits could enable more organizations to claim tax-exempt status.

WALKER — Amid intense competition in the retail grocery sector, Meijer Inc. will trim and restructure its information technology services (ITS) staff in the coming months, MiBiz has learned.

Dr. Edward Montgomery began his tenure as Western Michigan University’s ninth president last week, taking over from former President John Dunn who stepped down after a decade in the role. Montgomery joins WMU after a career in a variety of positions both within and outside academia. An economist by training, Mongomery most recently served as the dean of the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University. He also worked in both the Clinton and Obama administrations, serving as the “Auto Recovery Czar” during the latter president’s term in office. Less than two days into his new position, Montgomery spoke with MiBiz about his background in higher education and his plans for the university going forward.

A Mid-Michigan community college has partnered with a major U.S. airline on an aircraft maintenance program.

Grand Rapids-based commercial brokerage Beacon Realty Group LLC has closed a deal bringing the Mansard House Apartment complex in Kalamazoo under new, undisclosed ownership.

News on Friday that Amazon.com Inc. planned to buy struggling organic food retailer Whole Foods Market Inc. sent shockwaves through the grocery industry, including in West Michigan.

GRAND RAPIDS — Over his storied career, John Berry has advocated for the benefits of incorporating design principles outside of traditional creative industries. Now, Berry is taking that vision one step further at Grand Valley State University with the new Design Thinking Academy, where he serves as director. The academy spun off from the university’s Design Thinking Initiative that launched in 2014.

BATTLE CREEK — Through a new partnership with one of the world’s largest commercial airline carriers, Western Michigan University hopes to become a premier institution for training aircraft maintenance personnel.

His first business presented workshops on renewable energy at elementary schools and included solar power kits students could assemble.

As demand for engineering talent continues to intensify, some West Michigan liberal arts colleges are partnering with larger state-funded institutions to add niche programs to their curricula.

Saugatuck Brewing Co. thought it was being edgy in 2011 when it coined the name “Hop on a Blonde” for its new blonde ale.

Edward Montgomery, dean and a professor of economics at Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy, will become Western Michigan University’s next president this summer.

On June 30, John Dunn will step down as president of Western Michigan University after a decade on the job. Over the course of his tenure, Dunn ushered in a new era for the Kalamazoo-based university, playing a key role in striking a partnership with the Cooley Law School and creating the private Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine. Under Dunn, WMU increased its minority enrollment from 10 percent of the student body in 2007 to 22 percent now. At the same time, WMU’s international student population doubled to 1,833 students. During a visit to Grand Rapids as part of a 10-day farewell tour across the state, Dunn spoke with MiBiz about his accomplishments at WMU and his plans for retirement.

KALAMAZOO — Western Michigan University will launch a new product design institute to create a hub of designers in Southwest Michigan and supply local companies with talent.

As President Donald Trump’s executive order banning immigration from seven predominantly Muslim countries continues to play out in the courts, university administrators and international students in West Michigan say they’re keeping vigilant.

BATTLE CREEK — Following several years of product development and commercialization, Micro Laser Assisted Machining Technologies LLC ended its first year of sales and is gearing up for further growth now that its first year of sales is behind it.

KALAMAZOO — It may have taken five years, but the partners behind one of the largest mixed-use projects in downtown Kalamazoo finally have secured the financing they need for the development. 

KALAMAZOO — The U.S. Air Force could rely on satellites designed by Western Michigan University students to diagnose issues with high-tech propulsion systems in space.

KALAMAZOO — When Folia Water Inc. sought to partner with a paper manufacturer to advance its water filtration technology from the initial proof of concept phase, the company faced a dilemma. 

As Michigan life sciences companies grow and seek to commercialize their innovations, the firms often face key constraints when it comes to access to capital in the state. 

For today’s engineering graduates, technical expertise remains paramount, but companies are asking more of their young workers, especially when it comes to so-called soft skills and the basics of business. 

Paul Knudstrup focuses his consulting work on strategic planning, individual and management team development, succession planning, performance management and personal productivity. Prior to forming MCG, he was executive director of the Fetzer Business Development Center at Western Michigan University. Knudstrup helped form the Oneplace Leadership Academy in Kalamazoo that launched in 2012 and is open to area nonprofits at no cost, thanks to donations from local foundations. He spoke with MiBiz about how nonprofit organizations are tackling leadership challenges.

KALAMAZOO — Researchers at the Michigan Geological Survey hope a state grant will better position government, businesses and other stakeholders to understand the natural resources that lie under the ground. 

With increasing demand for fresh, specialty groceries, Walker-based Meijer Inc. has started to look outside the big box retail format it’s known for, even if the retailer doesn’t like to admit it.