The unofficial online home for fans of the Western Michigan University Broncos. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

Someone else asked the question 'Why would anyone go to Western?', my response:

I received a BSEE from Western in 1976.
I was immediately hired after graduation by one of the Big 3.
MY manager at my first job in Detroit was a WMU grad, it wasn't what got me the job-my interview did that-but it certainly opened doors for me.
I have interviewed for numerous jobs over the years, the folks interviewing me often commented on how strong WMU engineering applicants were when they interviewed. One job at FORD-the interview team told me I was the 4th WMU grad they had interviewed that day and they were all outstanding candidates.
My experience comparing WMU engineering grads over the years to UM/MSU/Wayne State and other schools is NO COMPARISON. I hired WMU grads to work for me and they were always rock-solid in their skills. I had some UM grads who were absolute duds and they usually were poor hands-on engineers.
I have 42 years in the automotive industry this year-working for GM and Chrysler. I have never been laid off and have always gotten excellent reviews.


I am eternally grateful for the quality of education I got at Western. They prepared me well for a wonderful career in the Automotive industry. My family and I have received excellent compensation and benefits and I will retire in 2 years with an excellent package. All of this because of the education I received at Western Michigan University.

I never hesitate to endorse my school for prospective students, I owe them a great deal.

The number of bars in town or the quality of an athletic team? Food service? What a bonehead metric, you're at school to prepare for a career and Western does a great job at that.

Kalamazoo is awesome. Last time this poster said something similar I didn't quite go this far but I'll just say it: I am tired of rich suburbanites coming to Kalamazoo and calling it a ghetto or sketchy or whatever dogwhistle they want to use to lament the fact that there are some minorities in the city. I saw this constantly throughout college and it's an ugly stain on the culture in both Kalamazoo and the whole state.

As for the rest of his post I suggest you either leave or make an effort to see the positives. I had an absolutely awesome experience at WMU and so did most people I met so I'm inclined to say people who didn't need to look inward.

(11-04-2018 03:38 PM)wmubroncopilot Wrote:  Kalamazoo is awesome. Last time this poster said something similar I didn't quite go this far but I'll just say it: I am tired of rich suburbanites coming to Kalamazoo and calling it a ghetto or sketchy or whatever dogwhistle they want to use to lament the fact that there are some minorities in the city. I saw this constantly throughout college and it's an ugly stain on the culture in both Kalamazoo and the whole state.

As for the rest of his post I suggest you either leave or make an effort to see the positives. I had an absolutely awesome experience at WMU and so did most people I met so I'm inclined to say people who didn't need to look inward.

You need to know the disparaging remarks come from a cmu hayseed.....no WMU alumni. Kalamazoo is a city rich in culture and quality of life....I always counted Kazoo as a second home and would live there if I hadnt made a home in Dearborn complete with children and grandchildren!!!!!

(11-04-2018 03:58 PM)goldsworth Wrote:  

(11-04-2018 03:38 PM)wmubroncopilot Wrote:  Kalamazoo is awesome. Last time this poster said something similar I didn't quite go this far but I'll just say it: I am tired of rich suburbanites coming to Kalamazoo and calling it a ghetto or sketchy or whatever dogwhistle they want to use to lament the fact that there are some minorities in the city. I saw this constantly throughout college and it's an ugly stain on the culture in both Kalamazoo and the whole state.

As for the rest of his post I suggest you either leave or make an effort to see the positives. I had an absolutely awesome experience at WMU and so did most people I met so I'm inclined to say people who didn't need to look inward.

You need to know the disparaging remarks come from a cmu hayseed.....no WMU alumni.

Possible although I kind of doubt it. But it doesn't change my point, anyway.

I miss Kalamazoo, too happy up here to move back to the area but I wish I could get there more easily/often.

I work at a firm that has around 400 engineers. The best ones and most ready when hired out of school are either Michigan Tech or Ketering grads in my opinion. We have a few WMU computer science/engineers and they are good to. Not to impressed with the majority of UM people.

We also have a large supply chain division and that’s where the WMU grads really separate themselves. Head and shoulders above the MSU supply chain folks..

(11-04-2018 03:38 PM)wmubroncopilot Wrote:  Kalamazoo is awesome. Last time this poster said something similar I didn't quite go this far but I'll just say it: I am tired of rich suburbanites coming to Kalamazoo and calling it a ghetto or sketchy or whatever dogwhistle they want to use to lament the fact that there are some minorities in the city. I saw this constantly throughout college and it's an ugly stain on the culture in both Kalamazoo and the whole state.

You cannot deny that Kalamazoo has a crime issue. There are tons of crimes, shootings, break ins all over the place, most notably near campus and off campus student housing. I had a room mate who was jumped multiple times just walking down the street, have seen multiple car break ins, apartment break ins, the list goes on. Please don't act like it isn't a problem, Kalamazoo is a dirty city. I don't know why somebody would choose to live in Kalamazoo over Grand Rapids if they were given the choice.

I beat a UM grad for my current position. She had little passion and an average to below average work ethic.

(11-04-2018 05:04 PM)Fthechips Wrote:  

(11-04-2018 03:38 PM)wmubroncopilot Wrote:  Kalamazoo is awesome. Last time this poster said something similar I didn't quite go this far but I'll just say it: I am tired of rich suburbanites coming to Kalamazoo and calling it a ghetto or sketchy or whatever dogwhistle they want to use to lament the fact that there are some minorities in the city. I saw this constantly throughout college and it's an ugly stain on the culture in both Kalamazoo and the whole state.

You cannot deny that Kalamazoo has a crime issue. There are tons of crimes, shootings, break ins all over the place, most notably near campus and off campus student housing. I had a room mate who was jumped multiple times just walking down the street, have seen multiple car break ins, apartment break ins, the list goes on. Please don't act like it isn't a problem, Kalamazoo is a dirty city. I don't know why somebody would choose to live in Kalamazoo over Grand Rapids if they were given the choice.

Kalamazoo has crime in some sections, so what? All major cities in Michigan do, Grand Rapids is bad on the South Side. Ann Arbor has a significant violent crime problem near campus. Way it is, but it doesn't outweigh all the good things Western brings to the city. The Medical School downtown was instrumental in cleaning up that area of the city and bringing more people downtown-which reduces crime.

Downtown is actually statistically the safest "neighborhood" in Kalamazoo. Been that way for 10+ years.

Seriously... name one MAC town/city that has anywhere near the amenities and culture that Kalamazoo has. It's not even close. Heck, I would put Kalamazoo up against more than half of Big Ten cities for that matter.

Oxford and Athens are great small towns, but that's it.

Let's not forget Heritage Guitars over on Parsons St.

(11-04-2018 09:38 PM)Bronco14 Wrote:  I beat a UM grad for my current position. She had little passion and an average to below average work ethic.

Bingo!

Most employers could not care less where you received your degree (contrary to the "Michigan Myth). But they DO CARE about work ethic, competence, reliability and teamwork. The reputation/ranking of your school means nothing if you are lazy, can't get the job done, unreliable, and an azz-hole (as many Michigan grads are).

Proud to be a Bronco and not a Wolverine or Spartan!

(11-04-2018 03:38 PM)wmubroncopilot Wrote:  I am tired of rich suburbanites coming to Kalamazoo and calling it a ghetto or sketchy or whatever dogwhistle they want to use to lament the fact that there are some minorities in the city. I saw this constantly throughout college and it's an ugly stain on the culture in both Kalamazoo and the whole state.

In my opinion it's mostly GR suburbanites who make those claims. Those of us from the east side suburbs see Kalamazoo for what it is. A great college town with a ton of amenities. I much prefer K-Zoo to Ann Arbor.

(11-05-2018 09:47 AM)Bronc33 Wrote:  

(11-04-2018 03:38 PM)wmubroncopilot Wrote:  I am tired of rich suburbanites coming to Kalamazoo and calling it a ghetto or sketchy or whatever dogwhistle they want to use to lament the fact that there are some minorities in the city. I saw this constantly throughout college and it's an ugly stain on the culture in both Kalamazoo and the whole state.

In my opinion it's mostly GR suburbanites who make those claims. Those of us from the east side suburbs see Kalamazoo for what it is. A great college town with a ton of amenities. I much prefer K-Zoo to Ann Arbor.

Lot of Chicago suburb kids were like that too