WMU HOME > ABOUT WMU > WMU NEWS Ethel G. Adams Sept. 9, 2004 Ethel Green Adams, professor emerita of music at Western Michigan University, died Aug. 6 in Batesville, Ind. She was 91. Adams joined the WMU faculty in June 1946 as an assistant professor of music and served on the faculty for 27 years until her retirement with emerita status in June 1973. She was promoted to associate professor in 1953 and served as chair of the music theory and history area from 1962 to 1968. She also was the staff soprano soloist from 1946 to 1961. During her tenure at WMU, Adams appeared as a guest soprano soloist in concerts and oratorios throughout the Midwest, including multiple performances with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra. She was active in several local and national music and music education associations. In 1961, Adams became the first woman to receive Ball State University's Outstanding Music Alumni Award. She earned a bachelor's degree from Ball State in 1935 and a master's degree in music education from Columbia University in 1943. Prior to joining the WMU faculty, she taught at public schools in Indiana and New Jersey and at Ball State. Born Feb. 21, 1913, in Batesville, Adams married Sam B. Adams in 1959. Sam Adams, who died in 1988, was also a member of the WMU music faculty. A memorial service for Ethel Adams, organized by former faculty colleagues and friends, will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 26, at Zion Lutheran Church, Kalamazoo. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sam and Ethel Adams Vocal Music Scholarship Fund through the WMU Foundation, Kalamazoo MI 49008-5403 or <www.wmich.edu/wmuf>. Media contact: Thom Myers, 269 387-8400, thom.myers@wmich.edu WMU News Office of University Relations Western Michigan University 1903 W Michigan Ave Kalamazoo MI 49008-5433 USA 269 387-8400 www.wmich.edu/wmu/news