November 2014 WMU News

December meeting of WMU trustees postponed

The WMU Board of Trustees meeting originally scheduled for Dec. 4 has been postponed until Thursday, Dec. 18. An agenda will be available closer to the meeting date.

Two new additions bring total number of WMU LEED buildings to 12

New green building honors for two buildings were announced during a recent event. In addition, several plaques to mark WMU's commitment to sustainable building practices were unveiled.

Wynonna and The Big Noise bring 'A Simpler Christmas' to campus

The show, featuring performances of holiday favorites as well as some of Wynonna's greatest hits, is coming to Miller Auditorium for one performance at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18.

Sustainability internships available for spring semester

Students are invited to apply by Monday, Dec. 1, for one of up to 10 semester-long internships. Eligible students must have sophomore standing or above and be full-time students taking classes on WMU's main campus.

Flags lowered Wednesday for Sgt. 1st Class Michael Cathcart

Flags on all campuses of WMU will be lowered Wednesday, Nov. 26, in honor of Sgt. 1st Class Michael Cathcart, of Bay City, Michigan, who died while serving in Afghanistan.

WMU's School of Music presents its annual holiday concert

Enjoy the sounds of the holiday season during the annual holiday "Christmas car to the community" concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, in the Miller Auditorium at Western Michigan University.

University Theatre presents 'Late Night Broadway'

Acclaimed Broadway actor and composer Jeff Blumenkrantz joins Music Theatre Performance program seniors for an evening of cabaret-style music Dec. 4-6 in the Williams Theatre at the Gilmore Theatre Complex.

WMU program collecting donations for student coats and boots

WMU's Seita Scholars Program is soliciting donations for students' coats and boots. Tax-deductible donations may be made by using your credit card or by check payable to WMU Foundation.

Moscow Ballet's 'Great Russian Nutcracker' comes to Miller Auditorium

WMU's Symphony Orchestra and the Gagie School Choir will accompany Moscow Ballet's dancers in a performance of the "Great Russian Nutcracker" at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2 at Miller Auditorium.

'Mannheim Steamroller Christmas' comes to Miller Auditorium

"Mannheim Steamroller Christmas" by Grammy Award winner Chip Davis will perform at Miller Auditorium for one performance at 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Christmas Tour.

Fall 2014 Make a Difference award recipients to be honored

The University community is invited to honor the 14 outstanding staff members who will receive a semiannual Make a Difference Award during a reception at 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 1, in Room 157 Bernhard Center.

Med school slates open house during Art Hop

The WMU Stryker School of Medicine's downtown facility will be an Art Hop stop as well as open for limited self-guided tours from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5. The medical school had its grand opening in September.

WMU to celebrate green buildings with unveiling of LEED designations

An executive with the U.S. Green Building Council will join campus officials at 1:15 p.m. Nov. 24 to celebrate the designation of five WMU buildings as certified through LEED, the national gold standard for green buildings.

WMU alum's abstract art comes full circle in CHHS exhibition

The work of self-taught, abstract artist Mark Olson is on display through Thursday, Dec. 18, in the College of Health and Human Services second floor art gallery. A reception is set for 4 to 6 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 2.

Princeton, Cornell scholars keynote Graduate Philosophy Conference

Philosophers from Princeton and Cornell universities will headline the speaker lineup during the Graduate Philosophy Conference Friday through Sunday, Dec. 5-7, at Western Michigan University.

WMU Ethics Center closes season with Princeton, OSU philosophers

Sarah McGrath is featured as the conference Distinguished Ethics Speaker, while WMU graduate Lindsay Rettler is the Distinguished Alumna Speaker. Their presentations are the final two in the Fall 2014 Lecture Series.

WMU international student enrollment continues to grow

WMU continues to succeed in attracting international students according to the 2014 Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange released Nov. 17.

Business of beer on tap for next Entrepreneurship Forum event

Matt and Rene Greff, founders of Arbor Brewing Company, will discuss how a passion for beer and adventure launched their entrepreneurial journey in microbrewing. The couple will speak at 8 a.m. Friday, Dec. 5.

WMU to offer courses tailored to training schedules at Air Guard base

Starting with the spring 2015 semester, WMU will offer courses that are tailored specifically to the unit training weekend schedules of Air National Guard members assigned to Battle Creek's Kellogg Air National Guard Base.

Emeriti Council funds $9,200 in student scholarships

This fall, 23 undergraduate students have received $400 Emeriti Council Book Scholarships to help them purchase textbooks and school supplies. A total of $9,200 in book scholarships was given away this fall.

Poinsettia, popcorn orders due Nov. 24

Gourmet popcorn as well as poinsettias are being sold this year during the Professional Support Staff Organization's annual fundraiser. Orders are being accepted through 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 24.

Most offices closed Thanksgiving weekend

Campus computer labs, library, recreation center, health clinic and other campus facilities will be closed or on reduced hours Thursday through Sunday, Nov. 27-30. Classes and regular hours resume Monday, Dec. 1.

Information session slated for student vets

An information session is being held from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 24, for student military veterans to learn more about the services and resources available to them at WMU and around the Kalamazoo community.

WMU English professor, author next in Gwen Frostic Reading Series

For the last presentation in the Fall 2014 series, Dr. Richard Katrovas, professor of English, will read from his works at 8 p.m. Nov. 20 in Rooms 208-209 of the Bernhard Center. The event is free and open to the public.

WMU boosts need-based aid for 10 top incoming students

WMU is adding 10 $50,000 awards to its mix of top scholarships for the fall 2015 incoming class. The new Foundation Scholarships will be awarded based on both academic performance and financial need.

WMU events canceled or rescheduled due to weather

The Nov. 18 closure at Western Michigan University and continuing bad weather have led to a number of scheduled events being canceled or rescheduled.

Robert L. Blefko obituary

University officials learned Nov. 1 that Dr. Robert L. Blefko, a retired Western Michigan University faculty member, died at his home in Kalamazoo. He was 82. A memorial service was held on campus Nov. 19.

Heavy snow and wind trigger rare campus weather closure

An unusual late fall snowstorm closed the WMU campus Nov. 18, the earliest such closure in more than 25 years. The main campus was closed after crews were unable to stay ahead of rapidly falling snow and clear parking lots.

Special movie screening for campus community

The film "Pilot Error," which counts four WMU alumni among its cast and crew, will be screened during Western Night Nov. 18 in the Kalamazoo 10 theatre. Additional screenings are set for later this month and December.

WMU students place first in high-profile national sales competition

Haworth College of Business seniors Hope Burnham and Caleb Ross were named overall winners at this year’s State Farm Marketing and Sales Competition and brought home $4,000 in scholarships.