March 2014 WMU News

Jazz Orchestra wins perfect score at Notre Dame collegiate fest

The WMU Jazz Orchestra recently won perfect scores from all five judges and pocketed Outstanding Band and four Outstanding Soloist awards at the 56th annual University of Notre Dame Collegiate Jazz Festival.

University opts out of Bellevue property purchases

WMU officials announced today they will not purchase 10 homes on Bellevue Street and Oakland Drive that are immediately adjacent to the north edge of the University's East Campus.

Tickets available Tuesday to watch Broncos in NCAA Tournament

WMU men's basketball Coach Hawkins, 2013-14 MAC Coach of the Year, will lead his team to the NCAA Tournament in Buffalo, N.Y., Thursday, March 20. Tickets go on sale March 18.

Famous activist, educator gives talk on democracy, education at WMU

Activist and education reform advocate Dr. William Ayers will speak at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, in the Fetzer Center's Kirsch Auditorium. The talk is free and open to the public.

WMU-Cooley Law School affiliation subject of next Keystone Breakfast

Dr. John M. Dunn, president of WMU, and Lawrence P. Nolan, chair of the Cooley board, will speak at 8 a.m. Friday, March 28, in 2150 Schneider Hall as part of the Keystone Community Bank Breakfast Speaker Series.

WMU Board to convene for presidential compensation vote

The WMU Board of Trustees will convene for a special meeting to discuss compensation for President John M. Dunn at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, in 157 Bernhard Center.

WMU to host 25th annual International Festival

Enjoy the music, dance, food and fashions of 15 of the cultures represented on campus by attending the 25th annual International Festival from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, March 23, in the Bernhard Center.

Top seniors to be honored as 2014 Presidential Scholars

Forty-seven students from a senior class of 6,313 members will be recognized as the University's top seniors for 2014 during the 34th annual Presidential Scholars Convocation Thursday, March 20.

Works submitted by Department of Dance selected for gala concert

For a second year, both dances submitted by the WMU Department of Dance were selected for performance at the Gala Concert at the American College Dance Festival Association East-Central Conference.

Gary Mullen and The Works bring 'One Night of Queen' to Miller

"One Night of Queen," featuring Gary Mullen and The Works, is coming to Miller Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 21. The show has been rescheduled from its original March 17 date.

Business pitch competition open to WMU student entrepreneurs

Students from across campus are invited to share their business pitches for cash prizes totaling $2,500 at the second annual Pitch Competition. Applications are due online by Sunday, March 30.

Campus Activities Board presents illusionist Joel Meyers

Magician and illusionist Joel Meyers will bring his comedic show to WMU's campus at 9 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, in the Bernhard Center's North Ballroom.

Kalamazoo, campus communities getting ready for prom night

Area seniors are invited to join WMU students and employees for a night of music and dancing Thursday, March 27, during WMU's 26th annual Senior Prom. Activities will start at 5 p.m. and dancing runs from 7 to 10 p.m.

Jillian Michaels brings inspirational show to Miller Auditorium

Health, wellness and fitness authority Jillian Michaels will bring her show, part of the Maximize Your Life Tour, to Miller Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 27.

Team of business students wins national case competition

A team of four WMU students has won the 2014 National Grocers Association University Case Competition, earning $8,000 for the food and consumer package goods marketing program.

Dr. Homer Hartman Stryker biography

Dr. Homer Stryker was an orthopedic surgeon, inventor, and businessman, best known for his inventions, which revolutionized orthopedic care and brought comfort to patients and convenience to doctors and hospital staff.

WMU School of Medicine will be named for medical device pioneer

Thanks to the generosity of Ronda E. Stryker and William D. Johnston, the first class of medical students will be welcomed this fall to the Western ¾ÅÒ»Â鶹ÖÆƬ³§ University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine.

Assessment in Action Day conference returns for fifth year

WMU faculty, staff and graduate teaching assistants are invited to the Assessment in Action Day conference, set for Friday March 21. The conference is free of charge.

'Million Dollar Quartet' to make Kalamazoo premiere at Miller

"Million Dollar Quartet," which tells the story of a musical meeting between Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley, is coming to Miller Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, March 18-19.

Class of 2020 to visit WMU for Bronco BUDS program

Kalamazoo Public Schools sixth graders will visit WMU in March and April as part of the Bronco Buds program, which encourages early middle school students to begin thinking about attending college.

Poets with WMU ties take the stage in 'Fairy Tales' poetry reading

The "Fairy Tales, Legends and Myths" poetry, set for 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 18, at the Portage District Library will feature three poets with ties to WMU.

Panelists, celebrity guest announced for 'Wait Wait' at Miller

The Kalamazoo taping of the popular NPR show will feature panelists Brian Babylon, Bobcat Goldthwait and Amy Dickinson. "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" star Terry Crews will participate in the show's "Not my Job" segment.

Industrial designers to speak on education challenges, opportunities

National design educators Eric Anderson of Carnegie Mellon University and Craig Vogel of the University of Cincinnati will speak at WMU at 4 p.m. Monday, March 10, in 3512 Knauss Hall.

Jazz great kicks off 34th annual festival

Billy Drewes will join the Western Jazz Quartet for the 34th annual Western Invitational Jazz Festival starting at 8 p.m. March 14 in the Dalton Center Recital Hall. The festival's closing concert is set for 7:30 p.m. March 15.

Miller Auditorium to host 'psychotic puppet party'

"Puppet Up! – Uncensored," created by Brian Henson and Patrick Bristow, is coming to Miller Auditorium for one performance at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 15.

Owner of family company to speak at next Entrepreneurship Series

Amy Proos, owner and CEO of Proos Manufacturing and Proos Fabrication, will speak at 8 a.m. Friday, March 14, in 2150 Schneider Hall, as part of the Haworth College of Business Entrepreneurship Forum.

Protecting children from environmental threats topic of humanities talk

Sandra Steingraber will speak at 8 p.m. Thursday, March 13, in the Dalton Theatre of the Light Fine Arts Building at Kalamazoo College, 1200 Academy St. Her presentation is free and open to the public.

Steampunk adaptation of 'The Fantasticks' comes to campus

A fresh adaptation of the longest-running musical in history, "The Fantasticks," is coming to Miller Auditorium for one performance at 8 p.m. Friday, March 14. Tickets range from $20 to $35.

Annual festival brings over 800 high school singers to campus

The 76th annual Southwestern ¾ÅÒ»Â鶹ÖÆƬ³§ Vocal Festival, one of the largest, oldest and most successful high school choral festivals in the U.S., will be held on WMU's campus Thursday, March 13.

Sustainability executive to present business college talk

Melissa Gray, senior director of sustainability for a global leader in hybrid cloud environments, will present "What We All Want From Work" at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, March 13, in 2000 Schneider Hall.