Two robberies late Thursday, Dec. 6, caused University officials to trigger emergency warnings to safeguard the campus. A third robbery, likely related, occurred shortly afterward off-campus.

The University will confer 1,931 degrees at the Dec. 15 commencement; 1,445 at the bachelor’s level, 447 at the master’s level, one at the specialist level and 38 at the doctoral level.

Acting at its Dec. 5 meeting, the WMU Board of Trustees amended the contract of President John M. Dunn and increased his pay at a rate matching increases for other campus employees.

The WMU Board of Trustees approved rental rate increases for campus apartments, including the Western View, Goldsworth Valley, Elmwood and Stadium Drive complexes, effective fall 2013.

Robert C. Scherzer, a former Western Michigan University physics laboratory manager, died Wednesday, Nov. 21, at age 64. A memorial service was held in November.

The Core Math Tools Project, developed in part by Dr. Christian Hirsch, WMU professor of mathematics, is being lauded as a transformative tool by the National Science Foundation.

Joe R. Chapel, a former Western Michigan University faculty member, died Dec. 1. He was 73. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6, in Rockford, Mich.

Leaders from Lake Michigan College and Glen Oaks, Kellogg, and Lansing community colleges met Dec. 4 to sign reverse-transfer agreements with WMU, allowing students to apply WMU credits toward an associate degree.

Janice L. Carlson, a former Western Michigan University staff member, died Thursday, May 3 in Kalamazoo, after 26 years of service to the University. She was 78.

Patti Reinholt and Susan Terranella-Hoffman, co-founders of Cakes Boutique, will speak at the next Entrepreneurship Forum at 8 a.m. Friday, Dec. 14, in 2150 Schneider Hall.

Dr. Geoff Sayre-McCord, the Morehead-Cain Alumni Distinguished Professor from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, will share his views in the Dec. 7 lecture.

Emma Straub to present reading as part of the final installment of the fall 2012 Gwen Frostic Reading Series at 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6, in the Bernhard Center.

WMU students seeking a low-cost, meaningful spring break experience are encouraged to participate in Spring Staycation, to be held March 4-8, 2013, in Kalamazoo.

Color-enhanced images of Earth's varied topography will be on display and available for purchase at Urban Modern Hair, 223 S. Kalamazoo Ave., as part of the Dec. 7 Art Hop.

Michelle Crumm, CEO and owner of Ann Arbor-based Present Value, and Ron Hall, head of Detroit-area automotive firms Bridgewater Interiors and New Center Stamping, have been appointed to the WMU Board of Trustees.

The Kalamazoo Film Society will present the comedy "Searching for Sugar Man" Friday through Sunday, Dec. 7-9, at WMU's Little Theatre. The film is rated PG-13; admission is $5.

The Bronco men's and women's soccer teams were recently honored for high team grade point averages by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.

The campus community is invited to enjoy a special holiday meal from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11, at the Bernhard Café and Market. The full menu and pricing is available online.

Dr. William "Bill" R. Welke, professor emeritus of accountancy, died Nov. 16 in Shawnee, Kan. at age 79. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, in Kalamazoo.

Gordon Bolar, general manager of WMU's public radio station, WMUK 102.1 FM, is slated to be the interview subject on National Public Radio's StoryCorps segment Friday, Nov. 23.

Efforts to help the East Coast in the wake of Hurricane Sandy have resulted in a local shortage of blood and trained disaster relief workers. Members of the campus community can help by donating blood or training to become a relief worker.

WMU's Professional Support Staff Organization is sponsoring its annual poinsettia sale and accepting orders through Thursday, Nov. 29. Small plants are $6 each; large are $10.

A University emergency exercise is set for the morning of Friday, Nov. 30, that will allow units across the campus to rehearse and evaluate emergency procedures.

The University community is invited to attend a reception honoring the most recent recipients of semiannual Make a Difference awards at 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 3, in 157 Bernhard Center.

Honorable Consul General Kuninori Matsuda will present a talk on the importance of studying Japanese, highlighting the ties between Michigan and Japan, Tuesday, Nov. 27.

Nichole Maury, associate professor of art, and David Montgomery, director of the Bronco Marching Band, received the College of Fine Arts Dean's Teaching Award for 2012.

Dr. Ronald Kramer received the Larry T. Reynolds Award for Outstanding Teaching of Sociology at the annual meeting of the Michigan Sociological Association Saturday, Oct. 27, in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Two local leaders with the Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency will be the speakers at the next Keystone Community Bank Breakfast Speaker Series Friday, Nov. 30.

Campus computer labs, library, recreation center, health clinic and other campus facilities will be closed or on reduced hours Thursday through Sunday, Nov. 22-25. Classes and regular hours resume Monday, Nov. 26.

Multi-platinum rock band Matchbox Twenty brings its North American tour to campus with a concert at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13, at Miller Auditorium. Singer-guitarist Phillip Phillips will open the show.