2014 WMU News

WMU campus on final countdown to becoming tobacco free

With just two weeks to go before WMU becomes a tobacco-free campus, efforts are increasing to prepare members of the campus community and visitors for the cultural change the move requires.

Refreshments, games to greet returning students, faculty and staff

The Sindecuse Health Center is staging a fun and informational back-to-school event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 3, at the Campus Flagpoles. All members of the WMU campus community are invited.

Single ticket on-sale dates announced for Miller's 2014-15 season

Single ticket sales begin Aug. 22 for some shows. For access to exclusive presales several days before the general public, join the Miller Auditorium E-club or follow Miller on Facebook or Twitter.

New Bronco Study Zone opens in September

An open house to experience the Bronco Study Zone will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 20, on the second floor of Waldo Library. The study hours will begin Monday, Sept. 8.

WMU honor society receives annual award for service

Alpha Lambda Delta national honor society at WMU was recognized for its continued excellence in programming, communications and service during the 2013-14 academic year. 

Kickoff event planned for WMU's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at WMU will offer an information fair from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21, to announce its offerings for fall 2014. The event is free and open to the public.

Programs planned to clarify tuition-related employee benefits

Two informational programs have been set for Wednesday, Aug. 20, for employees thinking about taking classes or who have children eligible to attend WMU at a reduced rate.

One Stop offers multiple student services in central location

The temporary One Stop Convenience Center will open on the second floor of the Bernhard Center Aug. 25 through Sept. 5, offering numerous campus services in one location. The center will be closed over Labor Day weekend.

Cooley Law is now Western Michigan University Cooley Law School

After reviews by the Higher Learning Commission and the American Bar Association, an affiliation agreement in the works for more than a year has led to a new identity for the nation's largest law school.

New internship program accepting applications

WMU's Office for Sustainability is accepting applications through 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 25, for the new Wesustain internship program. Applications are available online.

Management professor Keenan dies

Long-time faculty member Dr. J. Michael Keenan died July 28 at age 82. Keenan pioneered a distance education model and advocated for experiential learning at the University.

New WMU counseling course lauded at Harvard-White House session

The course, School Counseling for Postsecondary and Career Readiness, will be offered through WMU's Department of Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology for the first time this fall.

New BTR Park firm offers inside look at product development process

Newell Rubbermaid's new Design Center includes product testing by consumers is one part of the A-to-Z design process that takes place in its BTR Park facility.

WMU to offer advanced coursework in purchasing management

WMU’s Center for Integrated Supply Management and Advanced Purchasing Dynamics of Plymouth, Michigan, recently formed an alliance to deploy a series of purchasing workshops.

WMU Alumni Association selects leadership for 2014-15

The WMU Alumni Association recently announced several members elected to one-year-term leadership positions. The announced elections were effective beginning July 1.

WMU joins network to aid community college honor students

The coalition builds on a program called American Honors to create, in community colleges, honors programs with competitive admissions. WMU is the first institution in the state to join the alliance.

English language and culture center gets new director

During its July 23 meeting, the WMU Board of Trustees approved the appointment of Thomas Marks as head of the center. Marks had been serving as interim director of CELCIS since July 2013.

'Last Comic Standing' winner, finalists to perform at Miller Auditorium

The "Last Coming Standing Live" tour, featuring the show's season 8 winner as well as the top four finalists, is coming to Miller Auditorium at 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8.

Sunseeker places seventh in American Solar Challenge race

The 14-member WMU team qualified its car by passing the requirements of scrutineering, then completed the 1,700-mile cross-country race that began in Austin, Texas, last week.

Summit set for 2014-15 supervisors of student workers

The summit is set for 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, Aug. 7, and will include reviews of various student employment policies and procedures at WMU. Registrations are due by Monday, Aug. 4.

Trustees approve retirements of two faculty, six staff members

Acting at its July 23 meeting, the WMU Board of Trustees approved the retirements of two faculty members and six staff members. The board also signed off on several other personnel items.

Trustees agree to extension on Cole-Gilmore property

The board authorized WMU's administration to negotiate and execute an extension to an existing set of development agreements covering a four-block parcel of land it owns in downtown Kalamazoo.

Trustees set 2015-16 rates for new residence hall complex

WMU's Board of Trustees set room rates for WMU's new residence halls at their July 23 meeting. Double room rates for the halls in the Center Residential Neighborhood will be set at $5,599 for the academic year.

WMU begins STARS sustainability initiative with 'gold' rating

The University's first submission to the Sustainability, Tracking, Assessment and Rating System—known as STARS—resulted in a gold rating, a designation only achieved by 20 percent of participating institutions.

Sangren Hall earns LEED gold certification as a 'green' building

LEED—Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design—certification accredits buildings that meet rigorous standards for sustainability, water and energy efficiency, resource selection and environmental quality.

WMU trustees to welcome new member, meet in formal session

The Board of Trustees will welcome a new trustee, James Bolger of Whitehall, during its next formal session at 1:15 p.m. Wednesday, July 23, in Rooms 157-159 of the Bernhard Center.

Sunseeker ties for third in track event, ready for cross-country race

WMU's Sunseeker solar racing team finished the Formula Sun Grand Prix Powered by Austin Energy tied for third. The team is now racing from Austin, Texas, to Minneapolis in the American Solar Challenge.

Mary Anne Bunda obituary

Dr. Mary Anne Bunda, professor emerita of educational studies, died July 17 at age 70. A memorial mass will be held at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, July 24, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 936 Lake St., Kalamazoo.

State group elects WMU executive to vice presidential post

Lynn Kelly-Albertson, executive director of professional and career development, has been elected vice president-higher education for the Michigan Career Educator and Employer Alliance.

Good governance in Africa is focus of August conference

Attendees from around the world will be on campus Thursday through Saturday, Aug. 14-16, for WMU's International Conference on African Development in Brown Hall. The event is open to the public free of charge.