The Kalamazoo Island Fest is set for Thursday through Saturday, June 19-21. The festival features live reggae music and Caribbean food and culture. Fare from several local restaurants will also be available.

Dr. Christine Byrd-Jacobs, professor of biological sciences, will become the associate dean of WMU's Graduate College effective July 1, pending approval by the Board of Trustees.

The Kalamazoo Film Society will present the drama "Only Lovers Left Alive" June 6-12, at the Alamo Drafthouse in downtown Kalamazoo. The film is rated R; admission is $5.50 for film society members.

WMU will use the grant money to implement curricular changes aimed at reducing the number of students who abandon science-related majors during the first years of college.

Peter Strazdas, WMU's associate vice president for facilities management, will become president-elect of the APPA-Leadership in Educational Facilities organization in July.

WMU's Board of Trustees recently approved several changes to one undergraduate and four graduate academic programs. All programs will be available to students beginning in fall 2014.

The Graduate Student Advisory Committee has debuted a new Make a Difference award to recognize graduate students who are making a difference in their peers' lives. The first four students received the honor April 12.

Dr. Nancy Schullery, professor emerita of business information systems, has been named a fellow of the Association for Business Communication. The award recognizes excellence in the discipline of business communication.

Faculty and staff members at WMU may attend any of this summer's 24 performances of "The Bronco Way," the popular theatrical production presented for new students.

A public input session for the new Valley Dining Center has been set for 3 p.m. Tuesday, June 3, in the President's Dining Room of the Bernhard Center. The session will focus on input on the dining experience to be offered.

Kyle E. Croes, who graduated from WMU's industrial and entrepreneurial engineering program, will travel to Montreal, Quebec, to accept the prestigious award.

All campus café locations are open during the summer I and II sessions. Summer hours vary for each café and can be found on the Dining Services website.

The Osher Foundation has selected WMU to become the newest member of its national network. The affiliation will result in an initial $100,000 grant for WMU's program, previously known as the Academy of Lifelong Learning.

In addition to the student winners, WMU faculty members Andrew Rathbun and Lisa Coons were recognized in this year's awards. The award results were announced in the June issue of the magazine, which is now on newsstands.

A dozen day-and-a-half New Student Orientation sessions begin May 30 and run through July 2. Half-day orientation sessions on Fridays for transfer students have yet to take place June 13, July 18 and Aug. 15.

Area school children will showcase Kalamazoo's diversity of creative expression when WMU's Walker Institute and the local arts group BigThink stage a Together Kalamazoo celebration Saturday, May 31, at Bronson Park.

The 2014-15 Lake Michigan Mailers Spotlight Series lineup, announced May 21, includes performances by David Sedaris, The Lettermen, Wynonna Judd, the Moscow Ballet and more.

WMU graduate students in sport management and the Kalamazoo Growlers are joining forces to organize a WMU Staff and Faculty Appreciation Night at Homer Stryker Field Wednesday, June 18.

WMU's Sky Broncos precision flight team finished fourth in this year's National Intercollegiate Flying Association championship competition, which concluded May 17 in Columbus, Ohio.

Except for essential and emergency services, University offices will be closed and all classes canceled Monday, May 26, in honor of U.S. Memorial Day. Classes and regular hours will resume Tuesday, May 27.

Navigating campus will be the topic of an hour-long public input session at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, in 2030 Fetzer Center. Input will be used to help develop a wayfinding master plan for the University.

For the first time in program history, WMU has three teams with perfect multi-year scores of 1,000 for the NCAA Academic Progress Rate—men's tennis, golf and gymnastics.

WMU trombone students Aaron Buczek and Evan Clifton and Nick Dewyer have gotten the competition season off to a rousing start, being named as finalists in national and international competitions.

The United States Air Force Band Airmen of Note will present a free, public concert at 7:30 p.m. Monday, June 23, in WMU's Miller Auditorium. Tickets are required and may be reserved in person or by mail.

Four WMU gymnasts—Michelle Adams, Jessi Buis, Shelby MacDonald and Kayla Weber—have been recognized as Academic All-Mid-American Conference for excellence in athletics and academics.

The seventh annual Kalamazoo Pride kicks off at 5 p.m. Friday, June 13, for a two-day event celebrating diversity and featuring live music, food and activities.

WMU’s Haworth College of Business and College of Aviation will offer a new concentration in aviation within the MBA program, geared toward students interested in management roles in the aviation industry.

Dr. Claude S. Phillips Jr., a major player in WMU's early internationalization efforts, died April 17 at age 91. Services have taken place. Visit avinkcremation.com to make a memorial guestbook entry.

Dr. Carla Koretsky, dean of WMU's Lee Honors College and longtime geosciences researcher, will be honored with the Geochemical Society's Distinguished Service Award this June.

Local people will dress the part of parodies, spoofs and characters and parade along the streets of downtown Kalamazoo beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 7, for the annual Do-Dah Parade.