July 2015 WMU News

WMU project puts spotlight on lighthouse logs, late 1800s life on South Haven coastline

The South Haven Michigan Lighthouse Logs is a new digital collection that has been created to give a lifelike representation of lighthouse journals from 1872 to 1880.

Kalamazoo Ribfest features food, entertainment

Gates open at 11 a.m. daily at the Arcadia Creek Festival Place and close at 11:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, and at 12:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 7-8.

WMU adds special day for transfer students to complete enrollment

The Transfer Decision Day will allow students to complete their enrollment and other campus business before the Sept. 8 start of the fall semester.

International admissions and immigration offices moving to Faunce

The international admissions and immigration units of the Haenicke Institute for Global Education will move in early August from Ellsworth Hall to the third floor of the Faunce Student Services building.

New WMU Web presence ready for rollout

The University's Web presence will take on a new look and enhanced usability with a redesign on wmich.edu set to go live July 28. Visitors will notice both aesthetic and navigational changes.

Former chair of special education, Joseph Eisenbach, dies June 25

Joseph J. Eisenbach, WMU professor emeritus of special education, died June 25 in Kalamazoo. He was 92. A private service will be held at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Battle Creek.

IT Lab Manager Racine dies, services planned

John W. Racine, a nearly 30-year employee of WMU and IT lab manager, died suddenly July 21. Visitation is set for 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 24, with a service at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 25.

ISM student one of four statewide awarded $5,000 industry scholarship

Lynsey DeGraaf, an integrated supply management major from Parchment, is one of only four students statewide to receive the prestigious $5,000 Transportation Club of Detroit scholarship for 2015.

Four from WMU selected to serve as college access advisors

Four WMU graduates have been selected to serve among the inaugural team of AdviseMI College Advisers throughout the state of Michigan in a program established by the Michigan College Access Network.

WMU offers on-campus summer reading event for families

A family event centered around the release of a never-before-available Dr. Seuss children's, titled "What Pet Should I Get?," is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 1.

Public radio news directors award WMUK for broadcasting excellence

The station has won three PRNDI awards from Public Radio News Directors Inc., the news directors organization for the public radio system.

Renowned foreign affairs expert Lawrence Ziring dies at 86

The internationally known leading expert on Pakistan died July 17 in Kalamazoo. Ziring was also one of the world's leading authorities on South Asia geopolitics, U.S. foreign policy for that region and NATO.

Associate dean appointed for Extended University Programs

Dr. Edwin Martini, professor of history and an experienced administrator, has been appointed associate dean of WMU's Extended University Programs. The appointment was effective July 1.

College of Health and Human Services makes personnel moves

WMU's College of Health and Human Services has named a veteran nursing professor, Dr. Mary D. Lagerwey, as nursing school director and longtime chair Dr. Ann Tyler as associate dean.

WMU ISM student one of four statewide awarded $5,000 industry scholarship

WMU student Lynsey DeGraaf, an integrated supply management major from Parchment, is one of only four students statewide to receive the prestigious $5,000 Transportation Club of Detroit scholarship for 2015.

Single ticket on-sale dates announced for Miller's 2015-16 season

Members of the Miller E-club have access to exclusive pre-sales several days before the general public. To join the E-club, visit millerauditorium.com. Single ticket on sale dates are subject to change.

Ten incoming students win $50,000 Foundation Scholarships

Ten high-achieving high school students have won inaugural Foundation Scholarships to begin their studies at WMU this fall. This year's Foundation Scholars have an average grade point of 3.99.

Trustees approve three-year contract with teaching assistants

The contract was ratified by the union membership during a June 17 vote that won a 93 percent majority approval. The new contract will run through Aug. 21, 2018.

Advertising students win $5,000 in scholarships

Advertising and promotion students Sydney Lammers and Amy Morales are among four students statewide to win Adcraft Club Foundation scholarships. Each received a $2,500 gift.

Trustees give OK to med school purchase

Acting at its July 8 meeting, WMU's Board of Trustees gave its seal of approval to a resolution authorizing the WMU Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine to acquire the physical assets of the Southwest Michigan Innovation Center.

WMU tops $4.5 million in externally awarded grants in May

The year-to-date total is more than $31.4 million, with one month left in the 2014-15 fiscal year. Grants for instruction accounted for most of the total, at more than $4 million.

Booth registration open for Bronco Bash

The early registration deadline for booth space is 5 p.m. Friday, July. 31, for Bronco Bash, set for 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, on the Sangren Pedestrian Mall.

Taste & Brew features local food, beer

The event in downtown Kalamazoo Thursday through Saturday, July 23-25, features food from over 30 restaurants, music and a variety of beers from local breweries and a wine bar.

Participation needed for institutional transformation effort

Learning community applications are being accepted through Friday, July 24, for the Broncos FIRST program, which aims to improve persistence toward graduation for undergraduate students.

Black Arts Festival returns

The Black Arts Festival is returning to a seven-day format for the first time since 2010 and moving to a new location for its 2015 celebration. This year's festival will run Monday through Sunday, July 13-19

WMU board adopts new campuswide policy changes

The Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment and Violence, Intimate Partner Violence, and Stalking Policy and Procedures were first rolled out and implemented as an interim policy in January.

WMU aviation programs to be part of Midwest tuition exchange group

WMU Board of Trustees signed off on a recommendation to allow the College of Aviation to become part of a nine-state tuition reciprocity program, making enrollment in the college more accessible to nonresident students.

Dorothy L. Franzen obituary

Dorothy L. (Bladt) Franzen, WMU associate professor emerita of education and professional development, died May 9, at age 91. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 11, at Redmond Funeral Home in Kalamazoo.

WMU trustees approve Heritage Hall as name for Alumni Center site

The home of the WMU Alumni Center on Prospect Hill is slated to open during WMU's Oct. 23-25 Homecoming celebration. The site, formerly known as East Hall, has been under renovation since mid-2014.

Trustees vote to name WMU engineering facility for Elson S. Floyd

Work on the building that now houses the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences began during Floyd's presidency. The engineering building opened for classes in September 2003.