The WMU Symphonic and Concert Bands join forces for a concert of "World Journeys" at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24, at Miller Auditorium. The concert is free and open to the public.

Students from both WMU and Kalamazoo College will have an opportunity for an early admission decision to attend the Western Michigan University School of Medicine through the recently announced WMedStart program.

Cole Swensen, a Brown University professor and author of 13 award-winning books of poetry, will read at 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, in 208-209 Bernhard Center.

Kenneth Chang, science reporter for The New York Times since 2000, will present a talk titled "News Judgment vs. Opinion: Do I have an Agenda When I Write about Global Warming?" at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21.

Two finalists for associate dean of WMU's Lee Honors College will make public presentations on Monday and Wednesday, Nov. 18 and 20. The finalists are Jane Baas, dance, and Dr. Helen Sharp, speech pathology and audiology.

Friday, Nov. 15, is the deadline to register for the annual Research and Dessert event. Those attending will take part in activities related to funding and other topics pertinent to faculty research.

Campus computer labs, library, recreation center, health clinic and other campus facilities will be closed or on reduced hours Thursday through Sunday, Nov. 28 through Dec. 1. Classes and regular hours resume Monday, Dec. 2.

For the fourth consecutive year, WMU has been named one of nation's best institutions for military veterans pursuing higher education by Military Times EDGE magazine.

Saxophone legend Joe Lovano will perform as part of WMU's Jazz Masters Series at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22, in the Dalton Center Recital Hall. Lovano will perform with the University Jazz Orchestra and the Western Jazz Quartet.

WMU will induct 52 people into the 25 Year Club during a gala set for Tuesday, Dec. 3. Invitations to the gala have been mailed to members of the club, with reservations due by Friday, Nov. 15.

Numerous free, public events that celebrate a variety of countries and cultures have been scheduled on campus for WMU's observance of International Education Week Saturday through Saturday, Nov. 16-23.

Musical and dance entertainment, educational talks, children's activities, and Russian art, crafts and food are all part of the 2013 Kalamazoo Russian Festival, set for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, in the Fetzer Center.

Senior Jared Sipes received a Boren Scholarship to spend this fall semester at Saratov State University in Russia, where he is continuing his Russian language studies.

The WMU women's soccer team defeated Ball State Sunday, Nov. 10, in Ypsilanti, Mich., to win their second Mid-American Conference Tournament Championship in a decade. Their last MAC Championship season was in 2003.

Heather Ratliff will speak at 8 a.m. Friday, Nov. 22, in 2150 Schneider Hall. Her talk is titled "Dining Out: Finding a Healthy Place at the Table." Reservations are required and free parking is available.

Joan B. Rickard, a longtime staff member in what is now WMU's Office of University Relations, died Nov. 8 in Niles, Mich. She was 66. A visitation is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 14, with a service Friday, Nov. 15.

WMU's United Way campaign is concluding its formal fundraising drive Friday, Nov. 15, but will continue to accept donations through March 2014. This year's campaign set a fundraising goal of $300,000.

"Spank! The Fifty Shades Parody," is coming to Miller Auditorium for one performance at 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16. Tickets are on sale and can be purchased online.

John A. Yellich, a geologist with more than 40 years of experience, was appointed director of the Michigan Geological Survey, effective Oct. 2. The survey became part of WMU's Department of Geosciences in 2011.

WMU's School of Music will present two short operas at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15, and Saturday, Nov. 16, in the Dalton Center Recital Hall. Tickets are available online or by calling (269) 387-2300 or (800) 228-9858.

The annual Russian Studies Conference is set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15, in Brown Hall. No registration is required to attend this free, public event, which features six talks by current and retired scholars and artists.

The all-student cast will give several performances of the three-time Tony Award-winning musical Nov. 14-24 in the Shaw Theatre at the Gilmore Theatre Complex.

The exhibit "The Gift: The Print Portfolios of Exit Art" is on display in the Richmond Center for Visual Arts' Monroe-Brown Gallery through Friday, Nov. 15. The exhibit is free and open to the public.

WMU's Bronco Marching Band will present its annual Season in Review concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10, in Miller Auditorium. Tickets are $12 general admission and $8 for seniors and students.

The University's Graduate Student Advisory Committee is hosting the 2013 annual conference of the National Association of Graduate-Professional Students Thursday through Sunday, Nov. 7-10.

WMU interior designers Sheri Harper and Julie Lenczycki took home awards from the Association of University Interior Designers, a national interior design competition for higher education facilities.

The exhibit "Karen Bondarchuk: Kith and Kin" is on display in the Richmond Center for Visual Arts' Netzorg and Kerr Gallery through Friday, Nov. 15. The exhibit is free and open to the public.

A multidisciplinary team led by civil and construction engineers has received a $1.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to create one of 33 transportation research centers at colleges across the country.

The Diversity Career and Community Involvement Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7, in 208-209 Bernhard Center. This event is free and open to the public.

The Western Brass Quintet, a faculty ensemble from the WMU School of Music, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, in the Dalton Center Recital Hall as part of the Bullock Performance Institute concert series.