KALAMAZOO (WKZO-AM) — President John Dunn highlighted Western Michigan University’s growth, diversity and partnerships during his final “State of the University” address Friday.
“The state of Western Michigan University is strong,” Dunn said to a crowd of several hundred at the Bernhard Center on the school’s Kalamazoo campus. “And this university community has a future that is incredibly bright.”
But the future will not include Dunn, who is retiring next June. He said Western has made strides during his decade as president.
“Our recent achievements — a medical school, a law school, (and) a renovated birth place among other successes — can only be characterized as monumental.”
But Dunn also said he still has work to do.
“We’re going to do everything we can to fulfill some needs,” Dunn said. “Then, we’re going to reconnect with a new president and help him or her in any way that we can.”
In an effort to ease the transition, Dunn will serve as president emeritus next school year.
Dunn also broke news during the 30-minute address. He announced that WMU will accept a $2.1 million grant from the federal Economic Development Administration to improve infrastructure at the WMU Business, Technology and Research Park along U.S. 131 in Kalamazoo.
Dunn said the improvements are part of the park’s second construction phase. When that phase is complete, Dunn said the facility is expected to attract another $50 million in investment and create another 200 jobs.
