At its June 12 meeting, the WMU Board of Trustees approved the retirements of five faculty and five staff members. The trustees also signed off on two faculty resignations.

Eighteen faculty members were granted tenure by the WMU Board of Trustees at its June 12 meeting. The status will be effective with the beginning of the 2013-14 academic year.

Trustees have approved promotions of 41 faculty members effective with the beginning of the 2013-14 academic year. The promotions range from the rank of faculty specialist II to full professor.

Matthew Dziepak, Jared Sipes and Stephanie Stanfield were selected from a nationwide pool of nearly 2,000 applicants to receive awards from the Gilman International Scholarship Program.

Applicants with extensive military service can join applicants who have a terminal degree or bachelor’s degree and a minimum of seven years of managerial experience in applying for a GRE/GMAT waiver.

A new book, titled "Opening the Door to Major Gifts: Mastering the Discovery Call," was recently published. The author is WMU staff member John Greenhoe.

Medallion Scholarships are the highest merit-based award that the University bestows on incoming freshmen. A total of 729 seniors from across Michigan and the United States participated in this year's competition.

The Kalamazoo Irish Fest will highlight Celtic bands, artists and cultural activities Friday and Saturday, June 28-29, at the Arcadia Creek Festival Place in downtown Kalamazoo.

The WMU sales and business marketing program once again has been named a top university sales program by the Sales Education Foundation. Fewer than 20 universities nationwide share the distinction.

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.