June 2012 WMU News

New WMU School of Medicine campus named after W.E. Upjohn

Dr. Hal B. Jenson has announced that the future home of the WMU School of Medicine, located in downtown Kalamazoo, will be named the W.E. Upjohn Campus in honor of the founder of The Upjohn Co.

WMU officials begin planning next campus residential construction

With two new residential buildings and a community center already being added to the campus's popular Western View housing complex, WMU is laying plans for a new round of housing and dining enhancements.

WMU community to gather for biennial golf outing

A campuswide golf outing aimed at fostering camaraderie will be held Friday, Aug. 17, at The Prairies, 5303 W. Main St. in Kalamazoo. Anyone affiliated with WMU may sign up to golf or volunteer.

WMU offices closed for Independence Day

In observance of U.S. Independence Day, there will be no classes Wednesday, July 4. Most WMU offices will be closed July 4 and open during normal summer hours the rest of the week.

Warren Hills named associate vice president for Human Resources

As chief human relations officer, Hills will be a key member of the senior leadership team, with responsibility for managing, planning and delivering human resource programs and services.

Flags lowered Tuesday for Army Sgt. Joseph M. Lilly

Flags on all campuses of WMU will be lowered Tuesday, June 26, in honor of U.S. Army Sgt. Joseph M. Lilly, age 25, of Flint, Mich., who was killed in the line of duty in Afghanistan.

Kalamazoo celebrates its Irish heritage

Irish and Celtic bands, artists and cultural activities are highlights of the Kalamazoo Irish Fest Friday and Saturday, June 22-23, at the Arcadia Creek Festival Place. Admission is $8 and $4 for students with a valid ID.

Student leaders urged to register for RSO Leadership Conference

Registered student organization members are invited to attend an RSO Leadership Conference, Friday and Saturday, Aug. 17-18, at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in Kalamazoo. Online registration ends Friday, July 13.

Competitive cycling event continues at WMU

Miller Energy Criterium, organized by WMU and the Kalamazoo Bicycle Club, is set for 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 14, at the Parkview Campus. Online and race-day registration is available.

WMU to confer 1,500 degrees during summer commencement

WMU will grant degrees to nearly 1,500 students during two commencement ceremonies Saturday, June 30, in Miller Auditorium. Ceremonies begin at 9 a.m. and noon.

Register now to reserve booth space at Bronco Bash

The early registration deadline for booth space at Bronco Bash is Friday, July 22. The annual event welcomes more than 25,000 students, faculty and staff back to campus for the start of a new school year.

Broncos honored by NCAA for academic prowess

The WMU men's basketball and women's tennis teams are being honored with Public Recognition Awards from the NCAA for posting Academic Progress Rates in the top 10 percent for their respective sports.

Info sessions on new master's program in Grand Rapids

Learn about WMU's new Master of Arts in Leadership for Organizational Learning and Performance Wednesday, Aug. 8. The program is available in Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids.

Thousands of visitors expected at Kalamazoo Blues Festival

The 19th annual Kalamazoo Blues Festival held Thursday through Saturday, July 12-14, will feature music and many other workshops and family activities at Arcadia Creek Festival Place in downtown Kalamazoo.

Graduate College names six Dissertation Completion Fellows

Doctoral students Mohamed Ahmed, Katherine E. Ellison, Isurika Fernando, Renee Lee Gardner, Travis Hayden and Stephen Staggs named recipients of Dissertation Completion Fellowships for 2012-13.

Watercolors of Michigan waterways featured in WMU art show

Watercolors inspired by a Michigan artist's longtime passion for all things nautical are on display through the end of August at the College of Health and Human Services.

Academic program changes approved

Trustees have approved the creation of a new graduate certificate program in Spirituality, Culture and Health as well as the creation of five concentration areas within the doctoral program in science education.

Trustees sign off on campus ATM lease renewals

Acting at its June meeting, the WMU Board of Trustees authorized the University administration to enter into ATM lease agreement renewals with PNC and Bank of America.

Year-to-date gift total nears $40 million

A recent report shows the total of gifts, pledges and deferred commitments made to WMU for the fiscal year to date now tops $39 million. The figure reported, $39,711,746, includes gift activity through April 30.

School of Medicine lease at Borgess approved

Trustees have approved a sublease of space on the campus of Borgess Health to house a Psychiatric Clinic that is part of the Kalamazoo Center for Medical Studies, which is merging into the WMU School of Medicine July 1.

WMU reels in more than $700,000 in grants in a single month

WMU raked in more than $700,000 in grants during April, WMU trustees learned at their last meeting. The awards pushed the University's year-to-date grant total to more than $18 million.

Long wins prestigious orientation and mobility award

Dr. Richard Long, associate dean of the College of Health and Human Services, is receiving a coveted Lawrence E. Blaha Award, named after a former faculty member and leader in orientation and mobility.

Gov. Snyder announces new teaching fellows

Thirteen receive Woodrow Wilson Michigan Teaching Fellowships to pursue specially designed master's degrees at WMU in preparation for careers as science and math teachers in high-need public schools.

State regulatory atmosphere is topic of breakfast talk

Steven Hilfinger will talk about his leadership role in reinventing the regulatory and licensing environment in Michigan at 8 a.m. Friday, June 29, in the Dean's Conference Room of Schneider Hall.

Robert 'Bobby' M. Davidson obituary

A memorial gathering will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 28, for Bobby Davidson, assistant professor emeritus of music. Services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, June 29. Davidson died June 3 at age 93.

Trustees approve 11 faculty and staff retirements

The retirements of three faculty members and eight staff members were approved by the WMU Board of Trustees at its June 7 meeting. Trustees also signed off on five faculty resignations and  a change in sabbatical leave.

Geographer edits reference handbook

Dr. Joseph Stoltman, WMU professor of geography and science education, is the editor of 21st-Century Geography: A Reference Handbook, published earlier this year by Sage Publications.

WMU's foster youth support program to get $750,000 from state

The new Michigan budget recently approved by the Legislature includes $750,000 in the Department of Human Services appropriation to support WMU's renowned program that helps former foster care youth earn college degrees.

Administrative Professional Association elects 2012-13 leadership

WMU's Administrative Professional Association has elected its 2012-13 officers and Executive Board members. Julie Nemire and Chris Voss have been chosen to serve as president and vice president, respectively.

Thirty-seven faculty members receive promotions

The WMU Board of Trustees approved the promotions of 37 faculty members at its June 7 meeting. Seventeen faculty members were promoted to the rank of full professor, 13 to associate professor, and seven to master faculty specialist.