Spanish instructor Hedy Habra has been awarded an honorable mention for her book "Flying Carpets." She will be honored Saturday, Nov. 2, at a reception in Detroit.

The exhibit, "From Sketch to Studio," features artists Helen Kleczynski and Dave Middleton and is on display through Friday, Aug. 30, in the second floor art gallery of the College of Health and Human Services.

Dr. Ming Li, interim executive director of the Center for International Studies at Ohio University, has been selected to become the new dean of WMU's College of Education and Human Development, effective Sept. 1.

Andrew Kincaid, of Battle Creek, Mich., was one of six participants nationally recognized for his aviation maintenance technology skills, winning top honors at the 2013 SkillsUSA Championship.

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder visited WMU to tape an interview for WMUK-FM's recently launched news and public affairs show "WestSouthwest." The interview will air at 9:20 a.m. Wednesday, July 31.

Educators from the Dominican Republic's first community college tour campus and renew acquaintances with WMU faculty members who visited their campus to offer a workshop earlier this summer.

Lunchtime Live runs Fridays through Sept. 27 (no events Aug. 30 or Sept. 6) from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Bronson Park, and features local musicians, food trucks, area retail vendors and fun activities.

Country band Lonestar will be the featured entertainment for Ribfest Kalamazoo, which runs Thursday through Saturday, Aug. 1-3, at Arcadia Creek Festival Place. Gates open each day at 11 a.m.

This year's Student Employment Summit for WMU employees who supervise student workers is set for Thursday, Aug. 1, with registrations being accepted through Monday, July 29.

Trustees approve a recommendation to eliminate the University's major and minor in American studies. No students are currently enrolled in either curriculum.

The recent proliferation of electronic medical databases, health registries and other Web-based health data has prompted WMU to establish the Center for Health Data Research, Analysis and Mapping.

Externally funded awards to WMU soared past $4.2 million in May and June, pushing the year-end total of grants received for the 2012-13 fiscal year past the $24 million mark.

The Black Arts Festival, held Thursday through Sunday, July 25-28, at various locations in downtown Kalamazoo, showcases African-American artistic ability and cultural heritage.

Local employers seeking part-time workers for the fall are invited to participate in WMU's Part-Time Job Fair to be held on campus Tuesday, Aug. 27. Space is limited to the first 50 registered organizations.

WMU is the only school in the Mid-American Conference to earn one of the National Association of Basketball Coaches' inaugural Team Academic Excellence Awards.

WMU trustees have approved an affiliation agreement that will allow the private Thomas M. Cooley Law School to become the Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School.

During the last fiscal year, which ended June 30, nearly 22,000 private donors chose to support WMU with $64,871,813 in cash gifts and pledges. Donors included 10,996 alumni, 629 corporations and 84 foundations.

WMU considers becoming a tobacco-free campus to enhance health and wellness of the campus community and to explore ways to achieve health and wellness savings.

Over the next two years, WMU's campus will be transformed into a series of neighborhoods featuring new and renovated residence halls, enhanced dining facilities, and amenities to support academic success.

Initial design concepts for the East Hall renovation include the preservation and restoration of signature architectural features such as the cupola, pillared portico and interior central staircase.

The Taste of Kalamazoo runs Thursday through Saturday, July 25-27, at the Arcadia Creek Festival Place and features food from 30 area restaurants and live entertainment.

Woodrow Wilson Michigan Teaching Fellowship program is designed to provide Michigan's high-need urban and rural schools with teachers who offer cutting-edge preparation and real-world expertise in math and science.

Used residence hall furniture to be sold to the public, while supplies last, Thursday through Saturday, July 18-20, in Bigelow Hall. The sale will feature bunk beds, dressers and desks.

Meeting in formal session at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 18, WMU's Board of Trustees will take up two action items and receive three briefings on major campus initiatives.

Lectures take place at 7 p.m. on successive Wednesdays through Aug. 7. The four-part series will explore America's rich colonial past, its fur trade, military campaigns and the historic French fort in Niles.

The Kalamazoo Film Society will present "The Sapphires" Friday through Sunday, July 19-21, at WMU's Little Theatre. The film is rated PG-13; admission is $5.

Music begins at 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 19-20, at the Arcadia Creek Festival Place in downtown Kalamazoo for the second annual R&B/Funk Music Festival.

Three new or returning members of the WMU Alumni Association Board of Directors were elected to serve one-year terms as officers. The appointments are effective July 1.

Beginning with the 2013 fall semester, WMU will offer the Master of Arts in Leadership for Organizational Learning and Performance at its Metro Detroit and Southwest regional sites.

The Seita Scholars program is collecting new items for welcome packs for these students and is in need of essential living and personal health care products. The goal is to have enough items for 50 baskets by Friday, Aug. 9.