A community open house and a commencement ceremony May 12-13 will mark the graduation of the first class of physicians to earn their degrees at the WMU Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine.

Alicia Kornowa will present at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 8, in 1910 Sangren Hall. Jeffrey R. Hartman will present at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 10, in 2710 Sangren Hall.

Jo Ann Betz, a retired WMU finance clerk, died March 15 at age 84. No services will be held.

Walter Joseph Brunhumer, professor emeritus of history at WMU, died March 15 at age 93. No services will be held.

Agreement will create a smoother process for Kellogg Community College graduates who transfer to Western Michigan University.

Public presentation times are as follows: Renea Morris, 1 p.m. Monday, May 7, 1920 Sangren Hall; Dr. Joseph A. Brennan, 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 9, 1910 Sangren Hall; and Michael "Tony" Proudfoot, 1 p.m. Friday, May 11, 1920 Sangren Hall.

WMU presenters were Kiana Bailey, who won the competition's Best Presenter Award, Sara Buckle, Alex Gutierrez-Spencer and David Hughey. The presenters were part of a 29-member student team.

Tim Belcher, Roberto Ramon-Flores, Shao Qin Ga and Kaitlyn Watkins took first place at the Beta Alpha Psi Midwest Regional Meeting Best Practices competition.

Some 3,000 medieval scholars from around the world will return to Kalamazoo May 10-13 for WMU's 53rd International Congress on Medieval Studies.

Irene E. (Illes) Tocco, a retired utility food worker in the Valley I Dining Service, died April 18 at age 90. Services are private.

Brenda L. Boerger, a retired physical therapist who had worked at the Sindecuse Health Center, died April 14 at age 65. Services have taken place.

Dr. John O. Norman, associate professor emeritus of history, died April 27 at age 68. The rosary will be said and visitation held May 3 in Fort Worth, Texas. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated May 4 Keller, Texas.

Carl A. Newton, a retired assistant director of maintenance services-energy, died April 24 at age 70. Visitation and a memorial service are scheduled for Friday, May 4.

WMU President Edward Montgomery will give a presentation titled "WMU: Higher Education at the Crossroads" Friday, May 18. Reservations are required for the event, which begins with breakfast at 7:30 a.m.

The University community is welcome from 1 to 4 p.m. every Friday now through Nov. 16 at the Gibbs House to get involved with sustainability efforts, learn about permaculture and volunteer on-site.

A 30-year effort to centralize public safety dispatch activities across Kalamazoo County will be implemented before the end of this year, meaning 911 calls from around the county will be answered in one central location.

A May 19 service will celebrate the life of Dr. Stephen G. Jones, professor emeritus of music and an internationally known professional trumpet player, who died suddenly April 25. He was 70.

Incoming freshmen have until Sunday, May 6, to apply to participate in one of three short study abroad programs that will take place in August before the new school year starts.

WMU’s Haworth College of Business recognized 25 students as part of the fourth annual Trailblazer Student Recognition program, including senior MacKenzie King, who was named Trailblazer of the Year.

Before “CSI” became popular, Kathy Mirakovits began teaching forensic science to her high school students to hook their interest and keep them engaged in rigorous, inquiry-based science education. 

Sadarra Fields, a newly minted alumna, exemplifies data demonstrating the immediate success so many WMU students have found after graduating.

What was previously a parking lot and, for a long time after, hard pack land on WMU’s west campus is being naturally rejuvenated by a nascent grove of nearly 70 fruit trees.

For more than a year, three graduate students who are part of a study examining intergenerational interaction and relationship building have made their home in an assisted-living facility with residents who are in their 80s and 90s.

All of the 2,700 4-inch-by-8-inch brick pavers on the Heritage Hall portico have sold out, but 12-inch-by-12-inch spaces are still available.

Helen J. Flaspohler, who for 19 years was instrumental in developing private fundraising efforts for WMU, died April 18 in Kalamazoo. She was 87. A celebration of her life will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, July 14.

First lady Sue Snyder has announced that WMU will host Michigan's fourth campus sexual assault summit Sept. 24. During the month of April, take the "MI Pledge" to help end campus sexual assault.

Four ceremonies, each one geared toward a particular set of graduates, will be held Saturday, April 28, in Miller Auditorium. The times are at 9 a.m., noon, 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.

The six-week low-cost courses begin the week of Monday, May 14, are taught in English and are open to all ages. Registrations are due by Friday, May 11.

At the April 27 event, learn more about WMU's investment in trees, and help plant a conifer honoring the University's new president and first lady.