February 2018 WMU News

Travel the world without leaving Michigan at 29th annual International Festival

The music, dance, food and fashions of nearly two dozen cultures will be showcased during WMU's 29th annual International Festival from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, March 25, on the second floor of the Bernhard Center.

Summer camps offered at Fort St. Joseph archaeological site

Registration is underway for youth and lifelong learners to participate in summer camps at the Fort St. Joseph Archaeological Project in Niles. The camp fee is $150.

John T. Miller obituary

John T. Miller, an assistant professor emeritus of health, physical education and recreation and a former assistant football coach, died Feb. 7 at age 79. Service information has not been published.

Doris 'Dori' A. Rey obituary

Doris "Dori" A. Rey, a retired staff member who worked in the health, physical education and recreation department as well as the McGinnis Reading Center and Clinic, died Feb. 11 at age 79. Services have taken place.

University summit to focus on student success issues

The spring 2018 Student Success Summit set for March 7 will feature networking and facilitated discussion for WMU faculty and staff seeking to increase student success and retention in a collaborative way.

Nominations sought for major University awards

Monday, April 2, is the deadline to make nominations for WMU's 2018-19 Emerging Scholar, Distinguished Service and Distinguished Teaching awards.

Annual Food Marketing Conference to draw hundreds to Grand Rapids

Registration is ongoing for WMU's acclaimed Food Marketing Conference, set for Monday and Tuesday, March 19-20, in Grand Rapids. This year's conference theme is "Retail Reinvention: Making the Customer Hero."

Owner of dog boutique next speaker in entrepreneurship series

Roxanne Leder, owner of Decadent Dogs boutique, with two locations in West Michigan, will speak Friday, March 16, in 2150 Schneider Hall. Reservations are required for the free event, which begins with breakfast at 7:30 a.m.

Bronco football announces 2018 schedule

The Broncos have their home opener vs. Syracuse University Friday, Aug. 31. WMU's 95th annual homecoming game is set for Saturday, Oct. 6, against Eastern Michigan. Family Weekend is Oct. 5-7.

MDOT session on Stadium Drive works set for Wednesday

The Michigan Department of Transportation will hold a community meeting Wednesday, Feb. 28, at Kalamazoo Christian High School to discuss upcoming work on the Stadium Drive/Howard Street intersection

Ethics event focuses on fictional portrayals of legal issues

A discussion on how fictional portrayals of legal issues can shape public perception of the law is set for 4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28, in the Bernhard Center's Brown and Gold Room.

Russell L. Gabier obituary

Gabier, founding president of the WMU Foundation, died Feb. 18 at age 90. A celebration of his life will be held at noon Monday, March 12, at First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo.

Some WMU offices reduce hours, close over spring recess

Spring semester recess runs March 5-9. There are no classes during the recess, but most WMU offices are open normal hours. In addition, there are no classes Friday, March 2, for Spirit Day.

'Chicago' at Miller Auditorium for a single performance

"Chicago," the longest-running American musical in Broadway history, is coming to Miller Auditorium for one performance at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28.

Explorations of WMU research on autism, mobility open to public

Learn about WMU research and service efforts on the topics of autism and mobility from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 23, at the Fetzer Center.

Take advantage of global engagement opportunities in March

WMU and Kalamazoo will offer numerous global engagement opportunities in March. Highlights include the 29th annual International Festival, musical performances, lectures and global briefings.

Life cycle and social impact assessment expert to speak at WMU

Dr. Gregory Norris’ visit, originally scheduled for Thursday, March 15, has been canceled.

WMU medical school granted full accreditation

In the final step of a journey that began some seven years ago, the WMU Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine has been granted full accreditation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education.

Annual festival brings 900 high school singers to campus

The 80th annual Southwestern Michigan Vocal Festival will draw participants from 19 southwest Michigan high schools and culminate in a 7 p.m. performance Thursday, March 15, in Miller Auditorium.

Trombone Choir to give free tour preview concert

WMU's Trombone Choir will offer a sneak peek into its set for the American Trombone Workshop during a free concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27, in the Dalton Center Recital Hall.

WMU's Unified Clinics offer specialty care to thousands each year

A collective of 10 outpatient clinics at WMU trains students, provides specialty care to thousands of patients, and serves as an incubator for investigating therapeutic techniques.

Choirs present choral concert 'Reincarnation … Awakening'

Three of WMU's choral ensembles will perform in a free concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 25, in the Dalton Center Recital Hall.

Shirley Bach obituary

Dr. Shirley Bach, WMU professor emerita of philosophy and internationally recognized authority on biomedical ethics, died Feb. 13 at age 86. A funeral service is set for 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16, at Temple B'Nai Israel, 4409 Grand Prairie Road, in Kalamazoo.

Office renamed to reflect total student population served

First-Year Experience Programs is now the Office of Student Transitions, reaffirming its focus on providing programs and special services to all new WMU students.

Dance emerita honored for advocacy

Wendy Cornish, WMU professor emerita of dance, is the recipient of this year's Partners in Dance Community Dance Advocacy Award.

Culture and football team topics at upcoming community breakfast

Head coach Tim Lester will discuss the culture of WMU's football team during a Feb. 23 breakfast event. Reservations are required and can be made at (269) 387-6059 or wmich.edu/business/mercantile-rsvp.

Kohrman Hall being renovated to house product design facilities

Construction activities began in December that will allow the recently created product design program to move into renovated spaces in Central Kohrman Hall by fall 2018.

WMU to host regional College Band Directors National Association conference

Two WMU music ensembles will perform at the CBDNA conference Friday, Feb. 23, in Miller Auditorium. The WMU Concert Band will perform at 10:15 a.m., and the University Symphonic Band will perform at 8:30 p.m.

Grammy winner to perform with jazz and symphony orchestras

Six-time Grammy winner Vince Mendoza will perform with WMU music students at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21, in the Dalton Center Recital Hall. The performance will be preceded by a 7 p.m. discussion.

Film festival examines human inequality, solutions

Three films from the America Divided docu-series, produced by Norman Lear, Common and Shonda Rhimes, will be shown at WMU's Bernhard Center: "The System" Feb. 21, "Something in the Water" March 19, and "A House Divided" April 11.