October 2014 WMU News

Open enrollment period underway for WMU health benefits, FSAs

Retirees, benefits-eligible nonbargaining employees, and employees who are members of certain unions have until 5 p.m. Nov. 14, to add eligible dependents to their healthcare coverage and enroll in a flexible spending account.

'Sister Act' comes to Miller Auditorium

Five-time Tony-nominated musical "Sister Act," featuring an original score with music by multi-Academy, Grammy and Golden Globe Award-winning composer Alan Menken, is coming to Miller Auditorium for two performances on Nov. 1.

WMU percussion ensemble performance to explore world music

The Western Michigan University Percussion Ensemble will perform music inspired by Brazil, India, Spain and Africa, among other parts of the world at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 12 at the Dalton Center Recital Hall.

Caution urged after armed robbery on campus

An armed robbery took place on the WMU campus Wednesday evening at about 9 p.m. between Sangren Hall and Sindecuse Health Center. No one was injured.

Bronco Marching Band presents annual concert

The WMU marching band will present its annual "Season in Review" concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9, in Miller Auditorium. The Bronco Marching Band is directed by Dr. David Montgomery.

College of Aviation's 75th anniversary celebration peaks in October

A celebratory dinner gala and a ceremonial flight over Waldo Stadium during the homecoming gridiron contest set the stage Oct. 24-25 as Western Michigan University aviators marked the 75th anniversary of aviation education at WMU.

WMU music faculty and students perform together in wind ensemble

Western Winds, which consists of students in the graduate winds program and their studio faculty mentors, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5 as part of the Dalton Wed@7:30pm: Live and Interactive! series.

World hunger relief nonprofit is subject of next Entrepreneurship Forum

Norm Braksick, retired executive director of Foods Resource Bank, will speak about founding the organization and social entrepreneurship at 8 a.m. Friday, Nov. 14, in Room 2150 of Schneider Hall.

National experts to speak at second annual leadership conference

Western Michigan University students looking to enhance their leadership skills and learn innovative leadership strategies will hear from experts at the second annual DESIGNEDtoLEAD conference Friday, Nov. 14, at WMU’s Fetzer Center.

(Canceled) CEO of OtterBox to present business college talk

Brian Thomas, chief executive officer of OtterBox, will present "Growing up Otter: Education, Opportunity and Giving Back" at 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13. The talk is part of the business college's Distinguished Speaker Series.

WMU information technology conference to explore security, privacy

Business, academic and government leaders will address information security and privacy topics in business, industry, healthcare, government and education Friday, Nov. 7, at the 11th Western Michigan IT Forum.

Accomplished writing alumni return to WMU for Frostic Reading Series

Natalie Giarratano, Monica McFawn and Kristian O'Hare will read from their works at 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, in Rooms 157-159 of the Bernhard Center as part of the Fall 2014 Gwen Frostic Reading Series.

More than 300 WMU business students to clean Ft. Custer headstones

As part of Haworth College of Business's second annual community service project at Fort Custer National Cemetery, students will clean the headstones of nearly 2,000 graves in preparation for Veterans Day.

Campus engineer George Wilson dies

George L. Wilson, who recently retired from his position as electrical engineering manager in Facilities Management, died Oct. 22. He was 63. A memorial service is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25.

Two input sessions and surveys will help boost campus wayfinding

Two public meetings on Wednesday, Oct. 29 and a survey are part of a campuswide effort to make the WMU easier for both visitors and campus community members to navigate.

Guest artist recital to feature cello works by modern Turkish composers

Umit Isgorur, professor of cello at Ismir State Conservatory in Turkey, will give a recital of unaccompanied cello works by modern Turkish composers at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 3 in the Dalton Center Lecture Hall.

WMU Symphony Orchestra features bassoon and horn soloists

The Western Michigan University Symphony Orchestra will perform at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2 in the Dalton Center Recital Hall. The event is free and open to the public.

WMU’s new-music ensembles to give one of a kind performance

WMU’s Birds on a Wire and the Kalamazoo Laptop Orchestra will perform in the Dalton Center Recital Hall on Oct. 29 as part of the Wed@7:30pm: Live and Interactive! series.

Day of events focuses on research resources for faculty

Thirteen content sessions on funding and other resources for faculty research at Western Michigan University will be featured during the annual Research and Dessert event on Friday, Oct. 31.

WMU Jazz Lab Band tours the Americas in fall concert

The University Jazz Lab Band will present its first concert of the season at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28 in the Dalton Center Recital Hall. The event is free and open to the public.

D.R. artist-activist to visit WMU as part of School of Art lecture series

Noted artist and activist Jorge Pineda will visit the area late this month to speak at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30 as part of the Frostic School of Art Visiting Artist and Scholar Lecture Series.

Spirit of the 60s captured in photo exhibit at WMU

Fans of music, art and the cultural revolution of the 1960s will get an unusual first-hand look at the era when photographer and political activist Leni Sinclair brings her work to WMU Oct. 29.

Registration underway for free Chinese culture workshops

Learn more about Chinese culture at two upcoming one-day workshops. Explore Chinese Paper Cutting from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, and Chinese Calligraphy from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19.

Chinese research grants available to faculty

Timothy Light Center for Chinese Studies is accepting applications for a research and creative activities grant to support the study of Greater China. The deadline for submitting proposals is Feb. 13, 2015.

Real Talk Diversity Series continues in November

WMU's Real Talk Diversity Series continues with three events that are free and open to the public. Topics include navigating the intersectional identities with success, tribal governance and traditional Native American dance and music.

Communitywide race and fun run has Halloween theme

The Scholar Scare, a 5K race and 1K fun run, is being staged Nov. 1, by the Lee Honors College to raise funds for student scholarships. Register online, and don't be afraid to wear a costume.

Acclaimed journalist, WMU alum marks Homecoming as distinguished speaker

LZ Granderson's inspirational life story includes how he made it to college — or nearly didn't — before launching a successful journalism career. He says a WMU admissions officer's visit to his home saved his life.

WMU alum, CNN contributor LZ Granderson to lecture on campus

CNN contributor, ESPN senior writer and alumnus LZ Granderson returns to campus this week to deliver a lecture in the Community and Communication Distinguished Speaker Series put on by the School of Communication.

Homecoming Campus Classic race set for Oct. 25

Western Michigan University is holding it's 16th annual Homecoming Campus Classic race Saturday, Oct. 25. The annual 1K Fun Run and 5K will kick off the final day of homecoming activities.

Black Friday, consumer behavior next up in Mercantile Bank series

Dr. Robert L. Harrison, associate professor of marketing at Western Michigan University, will discuss "Black Friday" shopping at 8 a.m. Friday, Oct. 31, in Room 2150 of Schneider Hall.