2016 WMU News

Researcher earning impressive national accolades

Dr. Alan D. Poling will receive this year's International Humanitarian Award from the American Psychological Association for his work with landmine-detecting rats.

WMU researchers showcase Fort St. Joseph at open house

"Flowing Back Through Time: Rivers in Historical and Archaeological Perspective" is the theme of the event, scheduled for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 6-7, at the archaeological site.

OLLI at WMU stages fall kickoff, course registration begins soon

WMU's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute is staging a fall kickoff, while registration for courses and day trips it offers for adults is approaching.

WMU's President Dunn announces 2017 retirement date

Dunn, who has served as president of WMU since July 1, 2007, will retire June 30, 2017. He plans to serve in the capacity of president emeritus for the year following his tenure as president.

WMU's Heritage Hall is finalist for governor's energy award

Heritage Hall's renovation, completed in October 2015, transformed it into one of the most efficient and environmentally sophisticated buildings in Southwest Michigan.

Food, entertainment highlights of Kalamazoo Ribfest

The festival is in its 30th year and is set for Thursday through Saturday, Aug. 4-6. Admission is free before 4 p.m. each day.

Thomas J. Carr obituary

Thomas J. Carr, former associate vice president for operations of the Office of Business and Finance, died July 15 at age 87. 

Community leader appointed new WMU development and alumni VP

Timothy R. Terrentine Sr., who currently serves as executive vice president of Southwest Michigan First, will begin the new position effective Aug. 22.

Medical school reaches two accreditation milestones

The school anticipates gaining full accreditation status from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education in February 2018, prior to the graduation of its inaugural class.

Booth registration open for Bronco Bash

The early registration deadline for booth space is Sunday, July 31, for the annual event that this year is set for 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9, on the Sangren Pedestrian Mall.

WMU foster youth effort boosting its role as national training resource

The Fostering Success Coach Training program recently completed its first year of offering professional training to more than 200 new coach mentors working in nine states.

WMU sales program nationally recognized for excellence for 10th year

WMU's sales and business marketing program has once again been identified by the Sales Education Foundation as a top sales program among universities.

WMU garners more than $1.6 million in grants in months of April, May

WMU passed the $1.6 million mark in externally funded awards in April and May, pushing the year-to-date total above $21 million since the start of the 2015-16 fiscal year.

WMU staff member among graduates honored by U.S. presidents

Capt. Russell Kavalhuna, executive director of flight operations, is in Little Rock, Arkansas, to take part in the graduation of the 2016 Class of the Presidential Leadership Scholars Program.

WMU ISM program named top 10 in the country for second time in a row

The acclaimed WMU supply chain program has again been ranked No. 9 on Gartner's 2016 Top U.S. Supply Chain Undergraduate University Programs.

Robert Campbell obituary

Robert Campbell, a retired financial services specialist in the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships, died June 11 at age 69.

WMU trustees approve tenure and promotions for faculty

WMU's Board of Trustees approved the tenure of 20 faculty members and promotions of 40 faculty members at its June 29 meeting.

Marcia L. Thompson obituary

Marcia L. Thompson, a retired human resources assistant, died April 20 at age 67. She joined the WMU staff in 1997 and retired in 2010 after 13 years of service to the University.

WMU office now processing US passport applications

A U.S. passport acceptance facility for campus and local community members opened July 5 in WMU's Ellsworth Hall.

Leander C. Jones obituary

Dr. Leander C. Jones, emeritus professor of Africana Studies, died July 2 at age 81. Visitation and a Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity service is set for July 8, with a memorial service scheduled for noon July 9.

Goats to be tested on WMU campus as woodlot management tool

Buba, Cinnamon, Diva and seven other goats will be on campus for a week starting Sunday, July 10, to test their viability for controlling invasive plant species.

Officials give OK for WMU 'takeoff' in Florida

Florida's Commission for Independent Education has approved two provisional licenses, paving the way for WMU to offer aviation and several other academic programs in the state.

High school music students to spend two weeks learning, performing on campus

SEMINAR 2016, which runs from Sunday, July 10, through Saturday, July 23, will bring students from eight states, South America and China to Kalamazoo.

Kalamazoo Blues Fest returns

Tickets are on sale for the annual Kalamazoo Blues Festival, which will be held Thursday through Saturday, July 7-9.

Kalamazoo celebrates Black Arts Festival

The annual events from Monday through Sunday, July 11-17, and admission to many of the events is free of charge.

Onsi B. Fares obituary

Onsi Fares, former language specialist in the Career English Language Center for International Studies, died April 29 at age 91.

Endowed scholarships established in memory of Warfield, Hall

Ronald E. Hall and Charles C. Warfield were instrumental in the founding of WMU's celebrated Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.

Norma Cook obituary

Norma Cook, a retired staff member in Dining Services, died June 22 at age 94. A visitation will be held Wednesday, July 6.

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.