April 2014 WMU News

Statewide speech tournament will bring 600 to campus

WMU will host the Michigan Interscholastic Forensic Association Individual Events State Finals speech tournament, set for Thursday through Saturday, May 1-3.

Advisory group named to guide WMU teacher preparation programs

The Educator Preparation Governing Council is a policy-making and review body that includes representatives of four WMU colleges as well as education professionals from area school districts.

More than 3,000 expected to flock to WMU for Medieval Congress

The world's leading academics and others interested in the Middle Ages will be on campus Thursday through Sunday, May 8-11, for the annual International Congress on Medieval Studies.

Pixar director is guest artist at Michigan Youth Arts Festival

Dan Scanlon will serve as the artist-in-residence and will give a post-show talk during the three-day festival Thursday through Saturday, May 8-10 on WMU's West Campus.

WMU equestrian team member heads to national competition

Katie Stewart, a sophomore sales and business marketing major, will compete at the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association annual national championship in Harrisburg, Pa., May 1-4.

Public invited to read 'Life of Pi,' attend author's talk in fall

This year's University Common Read features Yann Martel's book "Life of Pi," which took home the 2002 Booker Prize and was made into a movie that won four Oscars in 2013.

WMU, NMC offering freshwater science and sustainability degree

The University's research prowess and Northwestern Michigan College's expertise in freshwater studies have led to a new degree offering that can be completed in Kalamazoo or Traverse City, Mich.

Trustees approve retirements of six faculty, 15 staff members

At its April meeting, the WMU Board of Trustees approved the retirements of six faculty members and 15 staff members and also signed off on several personnel matters.

Advertising students place third in regional competition

A team of nine WMU advertising and promotion students competed in the 2014 American Advertising Federation's National Student Advertising Competition, taking third place in a district competition.

Central campus construction results in parking adjustments

The construction site for a new residential neighborhood in WMU's central campus will shift parking in that area for a few months beginning Monday, April 28.

WMU MBA students advance in new strategic case competition

Thirty-nine students representing 11 teams were narrowed to an elite "final four" of strategists in the first WMU MBA Strategic Management Case Competition. The four teams competed at WMU's main campus.

University garners two new grants related to water quality

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality has awarded WMU two three-year grants totaling nearly $800,000 to create campuswide asset management plans for its sanitary and storm sewer systems.

CIS students claim second place award in case competition

A team of WMU computer information systems students earned the runner-up award for their business case analysis at the third Midwest Student Information Systems Project and Case Competition.

Miller Auditorium announces 2014-15 Broadway lineups

Miller Auditorium has announced its 2014-15 PNC Broadway in West Michigan and Broadway Plus series lineups, which include performances of "Sister Act" and "Disney's Beauty and the Beast."

WMU video wins viewer support competition hosted by Planet Forward

WMU's submission was the top vote-getter of this year's Climate Leadership Awards Video Competition. Final overall Climate Leadership Award winners will be chosen and announced later this spring.

Part of West Michigan Avenue at campus center will close for five days

Michigan Avenue from Western Avenue to North Dormitory Road was slated to be closed from Sunday, April 27, through Thursday, May 1. The closure has been canceled.

WMU to confer more than 2,700 degrees at April commencement

Four commencement ceremonies will be staged throughout the day Saturday, April 26, in Miller Auditorium. Times, live viewing venues and other information is available at wmich.edu/commencement.

Dolly Xtractor grabs first place at second annual Pitch competition

A WMU MBA student was awarded the top prize of $1,500 at a competition for innovative business ideas by providing a more efficient way to work with two-wheeled carts.

WMU to join Michiganders in celebrating 2014 Arbor Day

A public tree planting ceremony will be part of the University's Arbor Day observance. The public event starts at 10 a.m. Friday, April 25, at the Zhang Legacy Collections Center.

Public health data, strategies focus of new research and training center

Researching and mapping health-related data in southwest Michigan to provide strategies to improve public health is the purpose of the new Center for Health Data Research, Analysis and Mapping.

Warwick scholar to address conflict in Balkan states

Dr. Maria Koinova will speak at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 17, in the Fetzer Center as part of the George Klein Lecture Series. The talk is free and open to the public.

Presentation to examine ethics in criminal defense, prosecution

Using this year's Common Read book selection as a springboard, two experts will examine the ethical questions of the defense and prosecution in criminal trials as part of an  April 15 presentation.

William 'Bill' Doolittle obituary

Former Bronco head football coach and WMU Hall of Famer William "Bill" Doolittle died Thursday, April 10, at age 90. A celebration of his life is set for noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, June 22, on campus in the Seelye Center.

Miller Auditorium subject of upcoming business college talk

Tracey Lawie and Bethany Gauthier will speak at 8 a.m. Friday, April 25, in 2150 Schneider Hall as part of the Keystone Community Bank Breakfast Speaker Series. 

New book about World War II memories grows out of class project

A class project that gathered people's memories of the World War II era resulted in a book that now is being sold online. The book is titled "There is No Substitute for Victory—Remembrances of World War II."

Nature and family hold sway in professor's art show

Gay Walker, an artist and master faculty specialist in the WMU College of Health and Human Services, has assembled her art into a show to honor her mother and nature.

WMU employees invited to special premiere

Current WMU employees are invited to watch the University's updated orientation video for new workers during a premiere event from 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 16, in the Fetzer Center.

Annual Relay for Life fundraiser starts this week

This year's 24-hour fundraiser to fight cancer will run from noon Friday, April 11, to noon Saturday, April 12. It features a fundraising contest with Central Michigan University that starts Wednesday, April 9.

WMU room and board rates to rise by 2.95 percent

Acting at its April 9 meeting, the WMU Board of Trustees approved a 2.95 percent increase in campus room and board rates for the 2014-15 academic year.

Campus memorial service set for theatre design professor Roehrick

A campus memorial service will be held at noon Saturday, April 12, in the Williams Theatre at the Gilmore Theatre Complex for Greg D. Roehrick, who died Feb. 25.