June 2016 WMU News

Annual bike race to be held on WMU's Parkview Campus

The 11th annual BTR Park Bike Race Saturday, July 9, includes 11 events with state championship races for women, masters and juniors as well as a free kid’s race.

WMU Board approves 2016-17 operating budget of $397 million

The newly approved and balanced budget includes a 2.43 percent increase of $9.4 million in both total revenue and expenses, as compared with last year's budget.

WMU trustees opt to keep 2016-17 tuition increase below state cap

Acting in formal session, WMU's Board of Trustees approved a recommendation to increase tuition and required fees for 2016-17 by 4.19 percent.

Campus Ring Road to close temporarily

Improvements associated with construction of WMU's new Valley Dining Center will result in closure of a key portion of the road from 7 a.m. Tuesday, July 5, through the close of business Friday, July 8.

Miller Auditorium announces remainder of 2016-17 season shows

Miller Auditorium has announced its 2016-17 Lake Michigan Mailers Spotlight Series, which includes performances by the Moscow Ballet, the Little River Band and more.

Many WMU offices closed for Independence Day

Except for essential and emergency services, WMU offices will be closed Monday, July 4, in observance of U.S. Independence Day. Summer classes will not meet July 4.

Operating budget and tuition for 2016-17 top trustees' meeting agenda

The meeting is set for 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 29, on campus in the Heritage Hall ballroom. The agenda and background details can be found online.

New business majors at WMU fill need for business professionals

Beginning this fall, WMU will offer new majors in business analytics and business law, addressing growing student interest and increasing industry demand for professionals in those areas.

WMU research team wins grant to study impact of speed on crashes

The team has been awarded a $161,802 grant from the Michigan Department of Transportation to study changing speed limits on Michigan interstate freeways.

Donald F. Sellin obituary

Dr. Donald F. Sellin, professor emeritus of special education, died May 16 at age 82. He joined the faculty in 1969 and retired in 1990 after 21 years of service to the University.

New WMU enrollment management chief hails from North Carolina

Dr. Terrence M. Curran has been appointed WMU's associate provost for enrollment management following a nationwide search.

New study abroad scholarship tailored for incoming freshmen

The competitive Global Ambassadors Scholarship annually supports early-career study abroad experiences for 100 eligible incoming freshmen.

SPLICE electronic music festival set

Multiple festival performances are scheduled beginning Monday, June 27, through Saturday, July 2, in the Dalton Center Recital Hall. Festival events are free and open to the public.

Berwin H. Bergman obituary

Berwin H. Bergman, a retired carpet and tile layer, died May 28, at age 75. He joined the staff in 1986 and retired in 2002 after 16 years of service to the University.

Snyder picks William F. Pickard to fill out term as WMU trustee

Pickard, a 1964 alumnus of WMU, will serve through 2020, finishing out the eight-year term now vacant due to the death of Ronald E. Hall.

New Michigan budget includes WMU funding for new geologic mapping

The funding enables the Michigan Geological Survey at WMU to do vital work to assess, protect and carefully develop Michigan's vital natural resources.

WMU to confer 1,260 degrees during summer commencement

Graduation exercises, tailored for students in specific academic programs, have been set for 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Saturday, June 25, in Miller Auditorium.

WMU women aviators ready for start of national cross-country race

Elizabeth Bates and Shelby Satkowiak will join 50 other teams of women pilots Tuesday through Friday, June 21-24, for the 2016 Air Race Classic.

Arthur W. Parker Jr. obituary

Arthur W. Parker Jr., a retired press operator in what was Brink Printing Services, died May 7 at age 83. He joined the staff in 1966 and retired in 1994 after 28 years of service.

Judy K. Dunn obituary

Judy K. Dunn, a retired athletic equipment handler, died April 27 at age 74. She joined the WMU staff in 1974 and retired in 2002 after more than 27 years of service to the University.

Dance students return from moving experience in Panama

What started as a class project has now evolved into a student organization on campus, an annual service trip to Panama and plans to bring dance education to at-risk youth in Kalamazoo.

Graduate students receive WMU Dames Endowed Scholarships

Shacara Burrell, Karina Ortiz-Pacheco and Laura Pacheco del Castillo are the recipients of the scholarships, offered on a competitive basis to exceptional students enrolled in graduate programs.

Bernadine Carlson obituary

Dr. Bernadine "Penny" Carlson, professor emerita of English, died May 17 at age 97. A celebration of her life will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, June 22, at Friendship Village in Kalamazoo.

WMU's BTR Park Phase 2 moves into final design development; final community forum set

At the last public input session, set for 6 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, June 20, at Oshtemo Township Hall, 7275 W. Main Street, the team will present the proposed site layout.

University adopts new mass email policy

The policy was adopted April 28 and replaces the previous policy, which was last revised in 2013. It is available online at wmich.edu/web/policies/email.

New state funding will help WMU's aviation programs soar

The University will soon begin work on a 67,000-square-foot addition and renovation that will allow its College of Aviation to prepare more students for the future demands of the aviation industry.

Newly revamped Western Wellness effort takes fitness and well-being to new heights

Western Wellness offers a wide variety of programs and services on campus to empower employees to lead a healthy and active lifestyle.

Philip E. Kaldon obituary

Dr. Philip E. Kaldon, physics, died Wednesday, April 20, at age 57. He had been teaching at WMU since 1992.

National education figure to talk about dynamic leadership in education

Baruti Kafele will present a talk from 8:30 to 10:15 a.m. Friday, June 17, in the Fetzer Center. The talk is free and open to all.

Graduate research and travel grant recipients announced

WMU students received 10 research grants and 16 travel grants through the Graduate College for the month of April.