WMU News

Board to name building for Haenicke

March 17, 1998

KALAMAZOO -- The Western Michigan University Board of Trustees is expected to honor WMU President Diether H. Haenicke, who is retiring from the presidency July 31, in several ways at its next meeting Friday, March 20.

The board is slated to approve a resolution naming the University's new Science Research Pavilion Diether H. Haenicke Hall, recognizing his "exceptional leadership" during his 13 years as president. He currently is the state's second longest serving public university president.

The board also is expected to approve granting Haenicke an honorary doctor of humane letters degree at the University's June 27 commencement. It intends to give him the title of president emeritus and grant him a one-year sabbatical, after which he will return to the faculty in fall 1999 as a Distinguished University Professor.

Besides his leadership, the resolution naming the building cites Haenicke's commitment to fund raising, bringing WMU "millions of dollars in private funds for endowments, scholarships, facilities and other worthy endeavors." It also points to his "dedication to the academic enterprise" as expressed in such facilities as the Science Research Pavilion.

The pavilion, located on the west edge of the University's West Campus, is part of a $44.4 million project to provide new and renovated facilities for the sciences at WMU. It will house a variety of research laboratories and equipment. The building will be completed next year.

Trustee Richard G. Haworth, chairperson of the Presidential Search Advisory Committee, is expected to announce the five finalists for president of the University during the meeting Friday. The Board of Trustees established the committee last July.

The meeting begins at 11 a.m. in the Connable Board Room of the Bernhard Center. Because of expected interest, the meeting will be carried live on WMU's EduCABLE Channel 7 and on Community Access Television Channel 30 to all subscribers of Cablevision of Michigan.

Other agenda items include recommendations on room-and-board rates for 1998-99 and two new doctoral degrees, one in paper and imaging science and engineering and one in environmental chemistry.

The board's Academic and Student Affairs Committee will meet at 9 a.m. and the Budget and Finance Committee will meet at 10 a.m., both in Room 204 of the Bernhard Center. All meetings are open to the public.

Media contact: Mike Matthews; michael.matthews@wmich.edu

MEDIA ADVISORY: Arrangements for media representatives to tap into audio and video will be available during the board's 11 a.m. meeting. For specifications, contact Julie Paavola, at (616) 387-8413. Pronunciation guide: DEE-ter HEN-ih-kuh.


Office of University Relations
Western Michigan University
1903 W Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5433 USA
616 387-8400
univ-rel@wmich.edu

http://www.wmich.edu/wmu/news