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WMU Wins "First in the World" Grant

WMUK

Western Michigan University has won a big federal grant to help students stick with their classes and get degrees.

The "First in the World" award announced by the U.S. Department of Education is the only one of its kind in Michigan. Western will get $3.2 million to help first-year students from disadvantaged backgrounds complete their degrees.

University officials say the project will include input from students attending Western because of the Kalamazoo Promise scholarship. Federal officials say projects like the one at WMU will develop models that can be used by other schools. Western officials say its four-year project will use mentors on campus and from businesses in southwest Michigan to coach students involved in the program and help "transform the culture" on campus.

Andy Robins has been WMUK's News Director since 1998 and a broadcast journalist for over 24 years. He joined WMUK's staff in 1985. Under his direction, WMUK has received numerous awards for news reporting.