May 2012 WMU News

Dr. Sue Ellen Christian, associate professor of communication, offers a fresh take on unbiased reporting in her book "Overcoming Bias: A Journalist's Guide to Culture and Context."

Six staff members received 2011-12 awards from the Administrative Professional Association and Professional Support Staff Organization during the annual APA-PSSO Awards and Spring Luncheon.

Mixer on the Mall in downtown Kalamazoo runs Wednesdays from June 13 to Aug. 22 and features unique, up-and-coming musicians along with beverages and the opportunity to network and meet new people.

Ground will be broken later this summer for a new facility that will be located near the intersection of Howard Street and Oakland Drive on the grounds of what was once the Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital.

Live music, food and activities celebrating diversity are highlights of Kalamazoo Pride 2012 from 2 to 11 p.m. Saturday, June 9, at Arcadia Creek Festival Place downtown.

Paula M. Davis was named editor of WMU Magazine, effective May 21, and Christopher A. Hunt has been named marketing communication manager, effective June 4.

Long-standing tradition Concerts in the Park features free performances by musicians from Kalamazoo and the surrounding area Sundays at 4 p.m. in Bronson Park downtown.

Jennifer Hsu has been appointed coordinator for Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay and Transgender Student Services in WMU's Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

WMU's Faculty Senate has elected its 2012-14 Executive Board. Drs. William G. Rantz and C. Dennis Simpson have been chosen to serve as president and vice president, respectively.

Giving members of the campus community the confidence to step forward and help when they see bad behavior is the goal of a new Bystander Initiative dubbed Western Heroes.

Campuswide common read program for all students and employees starts this summer and features the award-winning "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks," by Rebecca Skloot.

Former Fairborn, Ohio, city councilman Frank Cervone recently presented a check to a WMU research team that has spent the past decade focusing its efforts on finding a cure for multiple system atrophy.

In honor of U.S. Memorial Day, there will be no classes Monday, May 28, and except for essential and emergency services, WMU offices will be closed.

Kuanchin Chen, William Cobern, Richard Gershon and Albert LaVergne have received prestigious Fulbright Program awards to work overseas during part of the 2011-12 academic year.

U.S. News & World Report's recently published rankings of graduate programs puts six of WMU's health and human services programs among the best in the nation.

Kalamazoo Island Festival will feature three days and nights of reggae music Thursday through Saturday, June 14-16, at the downtown Arcadia Creek Festival Place.

Former assistant director promoted, has responsibility for content on the University's website, mass email, social media and other forms of electronic communication.

WMU's 13-member precision flight team, the Sky Broncos, took fourth place in this year's National Intercollegiate Flying Association's championship competition.

WMU graduate student Katherine Binder hopes to encourage recycling on campus by streamlining the process with a new placement and design of collection bins.

Lt. Justin Soeder of Sterling Heights, Mich., was recognized by the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association with the Major Gen. Robert E. Sadler USAF Award.

Dr. James Lewis, associate professor of human performance and health education, has received a President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition Community Leadership Award.

Street closures will re-route traffic from Waldo Stadium through downtown Kalamazoo between 6:30 and 8 p.m. Thursday, May 24, for the Girls on the Run 5K.

More than 8,000 people, including beginning students and their families as well as transfer students, will be attending orientation sessions that begin June 4 and run through June 29.

Available now, season subscriptions are the best way to receive discounted tickets and priority seating for "West Side Story," "Les Misérables," "Hair," "Wicked" and other hit shows.

Services are Friday, May 18, for Ida Mae Cutshaw, retired WMU finance clerk. Cutshaw died May 10 at age 75.

Students enrolled in the College of Health and Human Services soon will have hands-on educational opportunities galore, thanks to Kalamazoo's new Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly.

Kalamazoo's Axonia Medical is doing early-stage work on a revolutionary approach to treat and restore function to those who have suffered major damage to their peripheral or central nervous systems.

Dr. Robert DeWit will speak at 8 a.m. Friday, May 25, in the Dean’s Conference Room of Schneider Hall on "Southwest Michigan Innovation Center: Cultivating Innovation."

DownBeat magazine has recognized internationally known director, performer and music professor Dr. Stephen Zegree as an outstanding educator by inducting him into its Jazz Education Hall of Fame.

High school and middle school students will learn about aerospace and aviation careers during Project Aerospace Expo Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 19, at the College of Aviation.