August 2018 WMU News

Ample resources on hand for switch to WMU Essential Studies

Courses for this new general education curriculum must be submitted for review by Monday, Dec. 31. Workshops and interactive tutorials are just some of the tools available to facilitate appropriate course development and prepare for adoption of WMU Essential Studies in 2020.

Many WMU offices closed during Labor Day weekend

Fall semester resumes at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 4.

WMU goes all in to promote student success

Some 4,700 incoming freshman and transfer students are part of a sweeping new program that immediately connects them to campus and orients them to college life and WMU.

Dr. Sherwood Cordier obituary

Dr. Sherwood "Woody" S. Cordier, professor emeritus of history, died Aug. 20 at age 89.

WMU trustees approve new three-year contract with AFSCME

The new contract will be in effect through Aug. 12, 2021, and includes salary increases and changes in health care premium contributions as well as health care plan modifications.

Accountancy student awarded prestigious study abroad scholarship

Western Michigan University junior Maddie Cordell of LaGrange Park, Illinois, will study in Italy this fall after being awarded the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship.

Local food shop first up in entrepreneurship speaker series

The event on Friday, Sept. 14, is free and open to the public. Reservations are required.

Former MIT researcher discusses neuroethics in center's first fall talk

Neuroscientist Dr. Stephanie J. Bird will open the Study of Ethics in Society's fall 2018 lecture series with a talk on "Putting science in its Place: Neuroscience and Neuroethics" Sept. 13, at the WMU Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine.

Ellis E. Rathburn obituary

Ellis Rathburn, a retired locksmith, died Aug. 16 at age 87. A memorial service is set for 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, in Evart, Michigan.

WMU board to consider new AFSCME contract Monday

Trustees have scheduled a special conference-call meeting for 2:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 20, to consider approval of a new AFSCME employee contract.

Todd Havener obituary

Todd Havener, a police officer in the Department of Public Safety, died unexpectedly at home Aug. 9 at age 47. A visitation and memorial service are scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 8, in Kalamazoo.

University Theatre travels the globe in 2018-19 season

The University Theatre's 2018-19 season features cowboys, drag queens, the best of Broadway, stage adaptations of movie favorites and more.

Take advantage of global engagement opportunities in September

WMU and the extended Kalamazoo community will offer numerous global engagement opportunities in September. Highlights include welcome to Western parties, a new Kalamazoo Art Institute acquisition, the WMU Study Abroad Fair, Kalamazoo's Taste of Jazz and WMU's China Festival.

Ethics Center offers four book club events for the fall semester

Discussions of four books begin Wednesday, Sept. 12, and continue through mid-November. Books are provided free of charge to the first 10 people who sign up online.

Werner Sichel obituary

Dr. Werner Sichel, a widely known scholar and professor emeritus of economics, died Aug. 4 at age 83. A funeral service will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 14, in the Langeland Funeral Homes Westside (Oshtemo) Chapel.

Norman Greenberg obituary

Dr. Norman C. Greenberg, an emeritus professor who was a leader in broadening the scope of Western Michigan University's global engagements, died May 26 at age 93. Services have taken place.

WMU to host 10th International Conference on African Development

The conference will bring scholars and policymakers from around the globe to campus Aug. 17-18 to present their research and solutions related to sustainable development for African nations.

Welcome activities planned for start of fall semester

Students arrived on campus for a new academic year Aug. 24 to participate in Fall Welcome events. Classes begin Aug. 29, with back-to-school activities continuing through early September.

Keith Bailey obituary

Western Michigan emeritus Keith Bailey died June 22 at age 91.

Sharon Flickinger obituary

Sharon Flickinger, a retired word process operator for WMU's Extended University Programs, died June 3 at age 71.

AT&T donation helps Upward Bound students pursue a college education

The $10,000 donation will support Upward Bound's tutoring efforts and help pay transportation costs for students making visits to prospective colleges.

Gymnastics posts second highest GPA in the nation

The second-place finish ties the 2013 season for highest mark in program history when the Broncos posted a 3.8086 GPA.

Medieval Institute Publications partners with De Gruyter

De Gruyter, a leading academic publishing house has been selected to partner with Medieval Institute Publications, the publishing arm of WMU's Medieval Institute.

WMU alumnus breaks new ground with unique flooring business

WMU alumnus August Jacobson, founding partner of Carpeturn.com, says there are many under-the-radar industries and processes that are ripe for change or improvement.

WMU alumnus creates meaningful connections through storytelling

WMU alumnus Kevin Romeo, co-founder, CEO and creative director of Rhino Media, uses the art of storytelling to create meaningful connections for some of the nation's top brands.

Finding a better way from bean to brew

WMU alumnus Floyd Sartin, co-founder of the specialty coffee roasting company MochaBox, encourages new business owners to take the leap.