Jan. 3, 2011 | WMU News
KALAMAZOO--The Western Michigan University Board of Trustees has given its seal of approval to a new center honoring the lifetime achievements and commitment to Chinese studies of Dr. Timothy Light, WMU professor emeritus of comparative religion and former University provost.
Acting at their Dec. 17, 2010, meeting, trustees voted to establish the Timothy Light Center for Chinese Studies retroactive to the center's opening on Oct. 1. Housed within the Haenicke Institute for Global Education, the center is designed to further the work of WMU faculty members and graduate students who have expertise in some field of Sinology, or teaching or research interests in China. It also aims to enhance teaching and understanding of China studies through programs accessible to undergraduate students and the public.
The center's name honors Light, a Kalamazoo native and expert on Chinese language, religion and culture. Light joined the comparative religion faculty in 1991 and retired in 2003, serving as provost from 1996 to 2000. His 50-year academic career included teaching and administrative positions related to East Asian language and cultural studies at Chinese University of Hong Kong and several other institutions, as well as publication of numerous scholarly books and articles.
