September 2018 WMU News

"Forever Gold" is the 2018 Homecoming theme, and a host of activities will mark this year's celebration Monday through Sunday, Oct. 1-7.

The University's 55th Distinguished Alumni Award recipients as well as select groups of graduates from all of WMU's colleges will be celebrated during an Oct. 5 event held in conjunction with homecoming.

WMU’s Giving Day is set for Wednesday, Oct. 3, but all gifts made during homecoming week, Monday through Sunday, Oct. 1-7, will count toward Giving Day.

WMU's new 28,000-square-foot Richmond Institute for Design and Innovation will be formally unveiled Thursday, Sept. 27, during a grand opening ceremony from 3 to 5 p.m. in Central Kohrman Hall.

The campus United Way is collecting new or gently used books for students in kindergarten through the third grade. Collection boxes will be in buildings throughout campus Monday, Oct. 8, through Wednesday, Oct. 31.

WMU and the extended Kalamazoo community will offer numerous global engagement opportunities in October. Highlights include opportunities to observe Hispanic Heritage Month, learn more about Africian-American history, and practice yoga as well as engage in other exercises with women from around the world.

A public open house is set from noon to 3 p.m.  Sept. 27 and hour-long composting and bike repair workshops will be held from 4 o 6 p.m.

The Advanced Manufacturing Partnership Laboratory at WMU's downtown Grand Rapids location is a collaboration with Grand Rapids Community College and manufacturers to address the need for skilled labor.

The W Magazine's research edition features the world-impacting scholarship of WMU faculty members and the many students they engage in the discovery process. Student researchers are learning through hands-on experience while helping to create new knowledge that benefits the world.

In addition to establishing a $110 passport scholarship, the University will host a Passport Caravan Sept. 21 that will process the passports of 100 underrepresented WMU students for free.

Meriah Putnam, integrated supply management student at Western Michigan University, has been awarded the prestigious Transportation Club of Detroit scholarship for 2018. This marks the sixth consecutive year that a WMU student has won this award.

Consumers Energy's new large-scale battery facility on WMU's Parkview Campus increases research opportunities for students while storing enough energy from wind and solar sources to power 1,000 homes.

Attend the Sept. 26 event and learn about study abroad programs at WMU that are available to both current WMU students and many non-enrolled adults seeking an overseas learning experience.

The event is free and open to the public and begins with breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Reservations are required.

The governor will appoint a new trustee to complete Dr. William Pickard's term, which expires Dec. 31, 2020.

During the Sept. 20 event, a former director of Obama's Domestic Policy Council will address how economic insecurity and the country's changing demographics have affected public confidence in institutions and democracy.

Input sessions for the new South Neighborhood improvement project are set for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Sangren Pedestrian Mall in front of Sangren Hall and 6 to 8 p.m. in the Bernhard Center lobby. Attendees will be able to view proposed design concepts in a virtual reality platform.

A national search for a permanent leader for Extended University Programs will start in early 2019.

Convocation is a recognition of faculty and staff achievement for excellence in teaching, research and service.

Dr. Lawrence B. Schlack, associate professor emeritus of educational leadership, died July 8 at age 85.

The WMU Board of Trustees will meet at 11 a.m. Wednesday in 157-159 Bernhard Center on the University's Main Campus.

Hundreds of employer representatives will be on campus participating in career-related events for job seekers in a wide variety of fields. The events start Sept. 11 and run through Nov. 14.

The University Center for the Humanities 2018-19 speaker series "Truth" begins with two talks Tuesday, Sept. 25, and others to follow through spring semester.

Representing the best of the best staff members, this award will be presented to Katie DeCamp, Susan Kramer, Jeff Stone and Connie Volenski.

The 2017-18 award goes to Dr. Susan Pozo. It is the highest annual honor WMU bestows on faculty members.

The 2017-18 award goes to Dr. Maria Selena O. Protacio. It acknowledges the accomplishments of WMU faculty members who are among the rising stars in U.S. higher education.

Lyceum lectures are held from noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesdays through Dec. 5 in the Lee Honors College lounge, unless noted.

As recipients of the Distinguished Service Award, Dr. Stephen Covell and Peter Thannhauser join 63 faculty and staff members who have received the accolade since it was established in 1980.

The annual event includes a State of the University address by WMU President Edward Montgomery.

Michael C. Braun, master faculty specialist of Spanish, died unexpectedly Aug. 27 at age 51. Visitation will be from noon to 1 p.m. Sept. 8 and be followed by a memorial service.