August 2015 WMU News

The University's new Flexible Electronics Applications and Technology Center will become part of the Flexible Hybrid Electronics Manufacturing Innovation Institute.

Grand Rapids Community College and WMU will move a decades-old partnership to the next level, allowing both schools to better serve students and the Grand Rapids community.

John M. Barney, a retired electrician in maintenance services, died June 13 at the age of 60. Services have been held.

M. Noreen VanderBeek, a retired staff member in the business and finance division, died June 1 at age 96. Services have been held.

The University is one of only five organizations the nation to have received accreditation for landscape management and operations under a program established by the Professional Grounds Management Society.

WMU leaders to be in Pullman, Washington, Wednesday to attend celebration of the life of former WMU President Elson Floyd.

Dr. Ernest E. Rossi, a former longtime administrator and professor emeritus of political science who retired in 1996, died Aug. 7 at age 86. Services have taken place.

Jeb Gast of Fido Motors will speak at 8 a.m. Friday, Sept. 11, in 2150 Schneider Hall. The event is free and open to the public.

Senior Dena Alobiedat will use her award to study abroad at Regent's University School of Fashion and Design in London in Spring 2016.

MaryAnn Haws-Johnson, a retired coordinator of the Education Library, died May 12 at age 76. She retired in 2002 after 22 years of service to the University.

Shelley S. Grant, a retired administrator in the Department of Facilities Management, died April 1 at age 56. She joined the WMU staff in 1992 and retired in 2013 after 21 years of service to the University.

WMU officials, along with Third Ward City Commissioner Senita Lenear, reopened the WMU-Grand Rapids Beltline facility Aug. 20.

WMU has been named both a top national university and one of the best higher education values in the Midwest by Washington Monthly magazine.

Judith A. Kirk, a University Libraries employee, died March 20 at age 57. Kirk had been working at the University for nearly 30 years.

Leonard E. Srackangast, a retired Department of Facilities Management administrator, died March 8 at age 70. Services have been held.

An opening ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 20, at the facility, which is located at 2333 East Beltline Ave. S.E.

Country star Chris Young, along with special guests Eric Paslay and Clare Dunn, is coming to Miller Auditorium Saturday, Nov. 14.

The approval allows the center to expand and gives WMU much-needed space for its myriad autism treatment and research activities.

The temporary One Stop Center will open on the second floor of the Bernhard Center Aug. 31 through Sept. 11, offering numerous campus services in one location. The center will be closed over Labor Day weekend.

Nina Nelson has been appointed as the dance representative member of the Accrediting Commission for Community and Precollegiate Arts Schools.

The extension is to an existing set of development agreements covering the four-block parcel of land the University owns in downtown Kalamazoo.

The approved recommendation will allow WMU to enter into a series of individual agreements to grant an easement to Consumers Energy for a 9.62-acre parcel.

The union's 420 members include hourly employees who work in building maintenance and custodial capacities, dining services and a number of other roles.

Informational sessions are being held for eligible WMU employees who want to take graduate or undergraduate classes at the University for free or help an eligible dependent pay for undergraduate tuition.

The new class, made up of 29 women and 31 men from 12 states, including 23 students from Michigan, will be honored at a September White Coat Ceremony.

WMU's Board of Trustees will discuss several agenda items in a special formal session scheduled for 9 a.m. Friday, Aug. 14, in 201 Bernhard Center.

Heather Fabian is the latest integrated supply management student to be awarded a statewide scholarship from the Transportation Club of Detroit.

Ailey II will bring its talented dancers and outstanding choreography to Miller Auditorium for one performance at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 10, 2016.

Kalamazoo's 20th annual Island Festival has a new time and location this year, set for Thursday through Saturday, Aug. 27-29, at the Growlers baseball field at Mayors' Riverfront Park.

According to the National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches/Women, the team had the highest GPA among Mid-American Conference institutions.