Alumnus Christopher Kurtz created an animated trailer for the 15th annual Waterfront Film Festival, which runs through the weekend in South Haven, Mich. The trailer will be shown before each film is screened.

Geralyn Heystek has been appointed to the position of director of business career services in the Haworth College of Business. Heystek replaces Linda Ickes, who retired earlier this year.

The Kalamazoo Film Society will present the dramatic thriller "The Company You Keep" Friday through Sunday, June 21-23, at WMU's Little Theatre. The film is rated R; admission is $5.

At its June 12 meeting, the WMU Board of Trustees authorized the administration to issue two series of bonds, to be used for future and ongoing campus construction.

Pamela J. McElroy, a former WMU director of corporate foundation relations, died May 29 at age 59. A memorial service will be held in her honor at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 13, in St. Monica Catholic Church.

The WMU Board of Trustees has approved an estimated general fund operating budget of just over $366.6 million for the 2013-14 fiscal year. 

Acting at its June 12 meeting, the Board of Trustees approved recommendations to increase both tuition and required fees at a rate that keeps WMU a best value among Michigan's public universities.

WMU's Board of Trustees has approved a simplified tuition structure for online courses along with a 3.57 percent tuition increase for courses offered at WMU's seven regional locations.

Robert H. "Bob" Luscombe, retired dean emeritus of WMU's College of Fine Arts, died June 8 at age 77. He will be honored during a memorial service from 11 a.m. to noon Friday, June 14, in Richland, Mich.

Paul Clifton will compete Wednesday, July 31, at the University of Memphis in Tennessee as one of five finalists in the International Horn Society Premier Soloist Competition.

Sharon Carlson, director of the WMU Archives and Regional History Collections, will speak at 8 a.m. Friday, June 28, in the final installment of the 2012-13 Keystone Community Bank Breakfast Speaker Series.

Betty J. Wellenkamp, a former second cook in the Bernhard Center Dining Services, died May 25 at age 92. Services have taken place. Visit williamsgoresfuneral.com to leave an online condolence.

The Island Festival features three days and nights of reggae music Thursday to Saturday, June 20-22, at the Arcadia Creek Festival Place in downtown Kalamazoo. Admission is free before 4 p.m. each day.

Wilma J. (Napp) McNees, a former custodian, died May 13 at age 75. Services have taken place. Visit langelands.com to make a memorial gift or guestbook entry.

The University has switched to a new emergency alert system, allowing for the transmission of information in text message as well as voice format. Currently registered phone numbers will be transferred to the new system.

Members of the University's Board of Trustees are expected to adopt an operating budget for 2013-14 and set tuition rates effective for fall 2013 when they meet Wednesday, June 12.

Minnie F. Bare, a retired custodian in the Department of Facilities Management, died Nov. 8, 2012. She joined the staff in 1972 and retired in 1985.

Yousef Alavi, emeritus in mathematics and statistics, died May 21 at age 85. He will be remembered during a memorial service at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 29, in Kanley Chapel.

WMU is one of 13 top research universities around the nation tapped to conduct a multiyear $4.3 million research effort aimed at determining the impact of organic aerosol materials on climate and air quality.

The 33rd annual Bronco Bash is set for 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13, at the pedestrian mall in front of Sangren Hall. Applications are now being accepted for vendor booths and entertainment.

The Broncoland game, a 3D depiction of the WMU campus, was unveiled during the first day of new student orientation. The game allows players to explore campus and learn about habits that lead to success in college.

Michigan firm TowerPinkster has been selected to transform East Hall into a new alumni center. The firm will soon begin work with campus planners to develop a schedule and launch the design process.

Seventeen Midwestern high school students have received an award for exemplary writing entered in WMU's inaugural Best Midwestern High School Writing competition.

The five candidates for dean of the College of Education and Human Development will visit campus June 7-13 and will make public presentations from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in 2020 Fetzer Center.

Part of the proceeds from the sale of a new WMU T-shirt will go toward a student scholarship fund. The Western Student Association is selling the shirts in the Campus Pointe Plaza and online.

The Mixer on the Mall concert series features live music, beverages and samples from featured restaurants from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Aug. 21 in downtown Kalamazoo. Admission is $1.

The sixth annual Kalamazoo Pride event, set for Friday and Saturday, June 14-15, will feature live music, food and activities at the Arcadia Creek Festival Place in downtown Kalamazoo.

Heather Ricketts has taken on the role of director of community engagement, and Bethany Gauthier has begun working as the assistant director of marketing in a full-time capacity.