Jonathon Gruenke | Kalamazoo Gazette Sammy Bokor, top, 21, of Lincoln Park, forms a W with her fingers as she stands on, in the second row, Shana Brown, left, of Haslett, and Mallory Good of Rockford and in the bottom row, from left, Gretchen Heinicke, 19, of Westland, Jessica Linne, 21, of Harper Woods and David VanDeusen, 20, of Hillsdale. Over 500 Western Michigan University students, faculty and alumni, gathered at the capitol building in Lansing Wednesday during WMU Day at the Capitol. See more photos from WMU day at the Capitol here.
The state Capitol lawn was dotted with brown-and-gold T-shirts much of Wednesday, as Western Michigan University — at least some of its students, staff and faculty — moved from Kalamazoo and set up shop in Lansing.
They played games, sang the fight song and even rubbed shoulders with a few legislators as WMU programs, research and services were displayed beneath tents.
By the last count, some 600 people were in attendance at the first WMU Day at the Capitol, an effort to show Bronco pride in a city that makes money and policy decisions that have statewide implications. WMU receives nearly 40 percent of its funding directly from the state.
“We came with a big herd of people,” said WMU senior Amanda Presson, who was on one of 12 buses to make the trip. (One bus broke down on the way to Lansing. Its riders were placed on other buses).
Explaining why she thought it was important that Western brought its Bronco “herd” to Lansing, Presson said, “We really wanted to have our name heard and just be known as one of the major universities in Michigan.
Considering some of the state’s larger universities, she said, “I think we kind of get side-stepped.”
As he watched the throngs of people in WMU apparel milling about the Capitol’s east lawn, state Rep. Lorence Wenke, R-Comstock Township, said the effort may have an impact on the legislators who make the funding decisions.

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