March 2018 WMU News

'Jesus Christ Superstar' opens at Shaw Theatre

Performances of the classic rock opera "Jesus Christ Superstar" will begin Friday, April 6, and run through Sunday, April 15, in WMU's Shaw Theatre at the Gilmore Theatre Complex.

WMU, community groups developing plan for local waterways

WMU is working with several community organizations to develop a plan for reducing pollution and protecting and improving water quality for Portage and Arcadia Creek watersheds.

WMU trustees set standards, procedures governing University policies

The WMU Board of Trustees has approved a set of standards designed to formalize and govern the way University policies are developed, reviewed and shared with the campus community.

Boundary-breaking percussion ensemble Clocks in Motion comes to campus

Clocks in Motion will perform at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 4, in the Dalton Center Recital Hall. The performance will be preceded by a 7 p.m. discussion hosted by Dr. Robert White.

Shirley A. Ray obituary

Shirley A. Ray, who was assistant director of what was then called Handicapped Student Services at the time of her retirement, died March 16 at age 91. Services will be held Saturday, March 24, in Kalamazoo.

Spring career-related events set; fairs are open to public

Aviation Outlook Day April 6 and the Education Career Fair April 18 are public events while Suit Up March 25 and the Educational Initiative Event April 5 are open to selected students.

WMU Senior Prom is still going strong after 30 years

Young and old will be slipping on their dancing shoes Thursday, March 29, and heading to the Bernhard Center for a night of games as well as swing and ballroom dancing.

Sabbatical leave granted to 34 WMU faculty members

Thirty-four faculty members have been granted sabbaticals during the 2018-19 academic year to engage in research and creative projects as well as other work that promotes their professional development.

Regional counseling psychology conference being held at WMU

Community members as well as WMU students and employees from the Great Lakes area will be meeting April 13-14. The deadline for early registration is 11:59 p.m., EST, Friday, March 23.

WMU celebrates 20 years as home to a Phi Beta Kappa chapter

An early April induction of up to 81 top juniors and seniors will mark the 20th anniversary of WMU's chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the oldest and most prestigious honors organization in the nation.

WMUK schedules on-air spring membership drive

Supporters of WMUK may donate to the station year-round or during on-air membership drives, such as the spring drive that will begin Tuesday, March 20.

Southwest Michigan slates 2018 Chávez awards dinner

The annual scholarship fundraising dinner honoring the legacy of César E. Chávez is set for March 24. Reservations are encouraged at (269) 387-4420 by March 20.

WMU sales students win team gold and individual honors

First-year student Ryan Demas and junior Stacy Zoeller represented WMU in the University of Toledo Invitational Sales Competition, coached by senior Marissa Bruno and Associate Professor of Marketing Dr. Kelley O'Reilly.

Free campus workshops offered on virtual reality

Open to the entire campus community and surrounding area, workshops will be held in the lower level of Waldo Library. No registration is needed.

Drum Choir presents nine drum sets on one stage

The annual WMU Drum Choir concert, free and open to the public, will take place at 5 p.m. Thursday, March 29, in the Dalton Center Recital Hall.

WIDR celebrates success at intercollegiate broadcasting conference

WMU's student-run noncommercial radio station, WIDR 89.1 FM, won an award for best underwriting spot at the 78th annual Intercollegiate Broadcasting System conference.

WMUK honored for broadcasting excellence at statewide event

Public Radio station WMUK 102.1 FM was recognized for broadcasting excellence, receiving three awards in this category from the Michigan Association of Broadcasters at the Great Lakes Media Show.

Finance expert to give update at upcoming community speaker series

Chris Burns, senior fixed-income analyst at Greenleaf Trust, will give a presentation titled "Feeling Vertigo? An Update on Financial Markets and the Economy" at 8 a.m. Friday, March 30, in 2150 Schneider Hall.

Variety of summer camps offered for young people

A listing of all camps, with new listings added as information becomes available, can be found at wmich.edu/admissions/camps. Some scholarships are available.

Success@WMU initiative seeking students to serve as peer mentors

The Success @ WMU initiative will provide a peer mentor to all new first-year, transfer and international students during their first year at WMU.

Business college receives naming gift for sales, negotiation and leadership lab

Alumnus Robert Kaiser, owner and chief executive officer of Gallagher-Kaiser Corporation, has given a generous naming gift to fund the renovation and expansion of the sales lab in the Haworth College of Business.

WMU looks to collect 200 pints of blood during annual challenge

Donate from 11 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. Thursday, March 22, in the Student Recreation Center's indoor tennis courts to help WMU beat Central Michigan in the annual Blood Bash.

WMU public safety named No. 3 in nation for safety initiatives

WMU's Department of Public Safety has been recognized as the No. 3 university police force in the nation for its campus safety initiatives.

Renowned public education expert to speak on campus

Dr. Diane Ravitch, author and renowned research professor of education at NYU, will speak on "Education Reform and the Promise of Education." This event has been rescheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 18, in 2000 Schneider Hall.

Poet, advocate for undocumented writers is next Frostic speaker

Poet Marcelo Hernandez Castilo will read from his works at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 15, as part of the spring 2018 Gwen Frostic Reading Series at WMU.

Trustees to meet at WMU-Grand Rapids Beltline location

The WMU Board of Trustees will meet Wednesday, March 14, in Grand Rapids to review new initiatives that will impact all of West Michigan for the coming decades.

Dennis R. Corbin obituary

Dennis R. Corbin, senior associate athletic director for medical services at Western Michigan University, died March 7 at age 63. A memorial service is scheduled for Monday, March 12.

Title IX issues are focus of new WMU training modules, student survey

A new online training module and a new campus climate survey—both focused on sexual misconduct—will be rolled out to the campus community this month.

Campus volunteers needed for Kalamazoo Marathon

WMU is seeking volunteers to help host several campus water and aid stations and excitement zones for runners participating in the Kalamazoo Marathon Sunday, May 6.

Summer enrollment open for Campus Kids

The Campus Kids Summer Program will run from June 18 to Aug. 24, and each week will feature a different theme with special-interest topics. It is open to children who have completed kindergarten, up to age 12.