Flags on all campuses of WMU will be lowered Thursday, July 9, in honor of Senior Chief Petty Officer Jason P. May, of Chesterfield, Michigan., who died June 29 while aboard the USS Essex.

Trustees will consider several other agenda items, including the campuswide adoption of a sexual misconduct policy, when they meet in formal session at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 8, in 157-159 Bernhard Center.

The College of Education and Human Development is launching the 24-credit certificate program to respond to a need for ESL educators. Completion of the program fulfills the state ESL requirements.

WMU is partnering with Wayne State University to improve the health of Michigan's foster youths with the help of a $75,000 grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation.

WMU alumnus Stephen John and senior Joseph Barnett have received the inaugural Brian Patrick Thomas Entrepreneurial Spirit Award, for their invention, NeoVent.

The first race of the 10th annual Miller Energy Criterium bike race at WMU's Business Technology and Research Park on Saturday, July 11, kicks off at 8 a.m.

Sara Karsten and Katherine Vena finished the 2,200-mile course from Fredericksburg, Virginia, to Fairhope, Alabama, using two and a half of the four days allotted for the race.

The University is seeking donations of basic household items for more than 40 incoming students who have aged out of the foster-care system. A drop-off station will be set up in Harrison Hall on scheduled dates.

The 22nd annual Kalamazoo Blues Festival will feature three days and nights of local, regional and national blues bands Thursday through Saturday, July 9-11, in the Arcadia Creek Festival Place.

Except for essential and emergency services, WMU offices will be closed Friday, July 3, in observance of U.S. Independence Day, which falls on a Saturday.