Western Michigan University teams up with Detroit Lions as official educational partner

KALAMAZOO, Mich.— Western Michigan College is thrilled to kick off its new partnership with the Detroit Lions, marking an thrilling milestone because the Lions’ official academic associate. This groundbreaking, three-year partnership will probably be celebrated tonight at Ford Area in the course of the Lions’ Monday Night time Soccer showdown with the Seattle Seahawks.  

Throughout a particular pre-game ceremony, Western pupil Brian Cross, a cybersecurity main and graduate of Renaissance Excessive College in Detroit, will obtain the Detroit Lions Western Michigan College Service Award. This $5,000 scholarship acknowledges Cross’ in depth neighborhood service and management, which incorporates impactful contributions comparable to volunteering with Gleaners Meals Financial institution, mentoring foster youth and dealing with the USGA Junior Beginner Championship. Cross is also a pacesetter inside his fraternity, Omega Psi Phi Upsilon, and treasurer of the WMU Nationwide PanHellenic Council. 

By means of this dynamic alliance with the Lions, Western goals to strengthen its reference to alumni, present college students and potential college students within the Detroit metro space, the place the College proudly has almost 47,000 alumni. As a part of this partnership, Ford Area would be the setting for Western admissions and alumni occasions. 

Along with participating with the Bronco Nation on the Lions’ den in downtown Detroit, the College will associate with the group to work with Detroit highschool college students to encourage future Broncos. Extra particulars will come later this season. 

“We’re extremely excited to affix forces with the Detroit Lions to champion academic alternatives and initiatives in Detroit,” says Kristen DeVries, WMU vp for College Development and government director of the WMU Basis. “This partnership brings collectively two successful groups and exemplifies the College’s dedication to our present and future college students in addition to Western alumni and Lions followers throughout the Detroit space, the state and the nation. As ‘One Pleasure,’ we eagerly anticipate a profitable collaboration and a unbelievable season forward.” 

“We’re thrilled to associate with Western Michigan College,” says Roxanne Caine, vp of Detroit Lions Basis and Neighborhood Relations. “This is a chance to uplift college students from Detroit whereas recognizing their tutorial and neighborhood achievements.” 

Ford Area can host 65,000 followers, and a nationwide viewers of thousands and thousands extra will probably be watching the Lions claw their means towards a possible Tremendous Bowl bid in nationally televised video games all through the season. Those that go to the stadium or tune in will see Western promoting, together with distinguished placements across the discipline. The College may also use Detroit Lions marks in numerous co-branding alternatives, enhancing Western’s visibility and engagement with the group’s fan base. 

About Western Michigan College 

WMU college students are people who’re really distinctive. At Western, we have fun the passions that drive college students and the probabilities that encourage them. For us, a level is a pursuit of goal the place college students are empowered to study and the place an experience-driven training results in a significant profession. Broncos prosper. 9 out of 10 graduates are employed rapidly, working of their discipline in jobs they like. WMU college students make their mark on the world—Grammy recipients, Tremendous Bowl champions, docs, academics, pilots and numerous others have flourished right here. Western is the place the place college students grow to be the perfect model of themselves.  

The Detroit Lions are knowledgeable American soccer group based mostly in Detroit, Michigan. They’re members of the North Division of the Nationwide Soccer Convention (NFC) within the Nationwide Soccer League (NFL) and play their house video games at Ford Area in downtown Detroit. The group relocated to Detroit in 1934 and is the NFL’s fifth oldest franchise. The Detroit Lions’ most up-to-date NFL postseason look was the NFC Championship recreation following a 12-5 document and an NFC North title in the course of the 2023 season. For extra info, please go to www.detroitlions.com. 

For extra WMU information, arts and occasions, go to WMU Information on-line.