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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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'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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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."

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

WMU's Board of Trustees will discuss student room and board rates for the 2014-15 academic year during its next meeting, set for 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 9, in 157-159 Bernhard Center.

Senior engineering students will showcase and demonstrate their projects during the 54th Conference on Senior Engineering Design from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 15, at the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

WMU community members and Kalamazoo-area residents may attend the 49th International Congress on Medieval Studies for free if they register by Wednesday, April 23. Register online or call (269) 387-8745 for details.

Participation in the Generation Study Abroad Commitment should result in increased opportunities for study abroad by students at all educational levels as well as strengthen the University's global engagement pillar.

Hip hop groups Mindless Behavior and the OMG Girlz with special guest Hi-Riz will bring their music to Miller Auditorium for one performance at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 17.

WMU's Waldo Library has been named a finalist in a national photo contest. Votes can be placed online through April 9 for WMU's photo, which is in the Best Curb Appeal category.