June 2013 WMU News

Bassoon student takes top prize in prestigious competition

Freshman Mingyuan Yang has taken first place in the International Double Reed Society Young Artist Competition. Yang was one of three finalists chosen by an international panel of judges.

WMU, KVCC partner with StoryCorps to gather veterans' conversations

StoryCorps' Military Voices Initiative is in Kalamazoo through Thursday, July 18. All recording slots for the July 16-18 visit are now full. WMU appreciates the high level of interest in this project.

WMU team finishes second in scrutineering at solar car race

The WMU solar race car, Sunseeker, has finished second in scrutineering at the Formula Sun Grand Prix. The race continues through Saturday, June 29, in Austin, Texas.

Mary J. Bullock obituary

Mary J. Bullock, retired library assistant in the Education Library, died Saturday, June 22, at age 76. A visitation will be held Sunday, June 30, with a memorial service set for Monday, July 1.

Two WMU alumni honored by national physician assistant group

Two WMU alumni, Jeffrey Callard and James Earle Canfield, were honored by the American Academy of Physician Assistants at its annual conference, held May 25-29.

University of Illinois scholar will take reins of WMU international efforts

Longtime international education professional Dr. Wolfgang F. Schlör has been named the new associate provost for the Haenicke Institute for Global Education. The appointment is effective Oct. 1.

Sue S. Coates obituary

Sue S. Coates, retired chair of the former Department of Home Economics and Department of Consumer Resources and Technology, died Friday, June 14, at age 86. Online condolences may be left at .

Three days of blues music planned for downtown festival

The 20th annual Kalamazoo Blues Festival, held Thursday through Saturday, July 11-13, will feature three days of music at the Arcadia Creek Festival Place in downtown Kalamazoo.

 

Interest in political science brought Myanmar scholar to WMU

Democratic reform efforts in Myanmar inspired Zaw Thein to earn a master's degree in political science at WMU. He hopes to return to his homeland to participate in the democratic movement.

New visual identity materials posted

WMU's Visual Identity Program guidelines hvae been updated. The guidelines are designed to help ensure that units across campus are representing the University in a polished and professional way.

Governing board authorizes new programs, name changes

Three new academic programs were approved this spring by the WMU Board of Trustees. The board also approved name changes to several existing academic programs.

Bike race part of weekend of cycling events

An upcoming weekend of activities scheduled for area cyclists features the eighth annual competitive cycling day, set for 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 13, at WMU's BTR Park.

WMU to confer some 1,300 degrees during summer commencement

The Saturday, June 29, commencement will be held at Miller Auditorium, with ceremonies at 9 a.m. and noon. Degrees to be granted include 862 at the bachelor's level, 460 at the master's level and 21 at the doctoral level.

Spanish instructor to read from, sign newly published poetry book

Hedy Habra, WMU Spanish instructor, will sign copies of "Tea In Heliopolis" from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 26, at ¾ÅÒ»Â鶹ÖÆƬ³§ News Agency, 308 W. ¾ÅÒ»Â鶹ÖÆƬ³§ Ave. in Kalamazoo.

Western Washington dean named new head of College of Fine Arts

Daniel Guyette, dean of the College of Fine and Performing Arts at Western Washington University, has been named dean of the WMU College of Fine Arts. He replaces Dean Margaret Merrion, who will retire later this month.

Lee Allen Cliffman obituary

Lee Allen Cliffman, a licensed plumber at Western ¾ÅÒ»Â鶹ÖÆƬ³§ University, died June 15 at age 60. Services are set for 1 p.m. Thursday, June 20, in the chapel of Calvary Bible Church in Kalamazoo

Ronald J. Pelc obituary

Ronald J. Pelc, a retired associate registrar, died June 3 at age 77. A memorial service will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. Thursday, June 20, in the Beacon Club in Portage, Mich.

Interim dean of engineering college named

Dr. Edmund Tsang, associate dean of WMU's College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, has been named interim dean of the college, effective Monday, July 1.

WMU implements deferred tuition option for employer reimbursements

Students whose employers reimburse the cost of their tuition can apply for a payment deferral option to avoid paying out-of-pocket at the beginning of the semester.

WMU Sunseeker heads to Texas for Formula Sun Grand Prix

The WMU Sunseeker solar race car team is headed to Austin, Texas, to compete in the Formula Sun Grand Prix 2013. The competition runs Monday through Saturday, June 24-29.

Bronco athletes score big in classroom and on the field, says NCAA

Three teams, headed by women's tennis, earn awards from the NCAA, honoring them as being in the top 10 pecent in the nation according to the Academic Progress Rate.

Trustees approve retirements of five faculty, five staff members

At its June 12 meeting, the WMU Board of Trustees approved the retirements of five faculty and five staff members. The trustees also signed off on two faculty resignations.

Trustees approve tenure for 18 faculty members

Eighteen faculty members were granted tenure by the WMU Board of Trustees at its June 12 meeting. The status will be effective with the beginning of the 2013-14 academic year.

Forty-one faculty members receive promotions

Trustees have approved promotions of 41 faculty members effective with the beginning of the 2013-14 academic year. The promotions range from the rank of faculty specialist II to full professor.

Three students earn prestigious Gilman Scholarships

Matthew Dziepak, Jared Sipes and Stephanie Stanfield were selected from a nationwide pool of nearly 2,000 applicants to receive awards from the Gilman International Scholarship Program.

MBA program adds military service as option to test waiver

Applicants with extensive military service can join applicants who have a terminal degree or bachelor’s degree and a minimum of seven years of managerial experience in applying for a GRE/GMAT waiver.

Book identifies strategies for successful fundraising

A new book, titled "Opening the Door to Major Gifts: Mastering the Discovery Call," was recently published. The author is WMU staff member John Greenhoe.

Twenty incoming students win $50,000 Medallion Scholarships

Medallion Scholarships are the highest merit-based award that the University bestows on incoming freshmen. A total of 729 seniors from across ¾ÅÒ»Â鶹ÖÆƬ³§ and the United States participated in this year's competition.

Irish Fest celebrates Celtic bands, artists and cultural activities

The Kalamazoo Irish Fest will highlight Celtic bands, artists and cultural activities Friday and Saturday, June 28-29, at the Arcadia Creek Festival Place in downtown Kalamazoo.

WMU's sales program again recognized for excellence

The WMU sales and business marketing program once again has been named a top university sales program by the Sales Education Foundation. Fewer than 20 universities nationwide share the distinction.