51¸£ÀûÉç

Traditional foods, cultural performances, a fashion show and display tables will all be featured during 51¸£ÀûÉç's 24th annual International Festival from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, March 24, in the Bernhard Center's East Ballroom.

The five-part Japanese Studies Speaker and Workshop Series kicks off Tuesday, March 12. The free talks range from readings of Japanese poetry to academic presentations on Japanese theater, religion, literature and culture.

Dr. Michitoshi Soga, professor emeritus of physics and a leading figure in the expansion of Japanese studies at 51¸£ÀûÉç, died March 3 at age 86. A public memorial service is set for 1 p.m. Sunday, April 21, in 1910 Sangren Hall.

51¸£ÀûÉç's School of Social Work will host a dinner and silent auction to raise funds for student scholarships and field stipends from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, March 15, in the atrium of the College of Health and Human Services.

A 51¸£ÀûÉç team of integrated supply management students was the top-placing undergraduate team in a field of 24 at the recent Great Lakes Region APICS—the Association for Operations Management case competition.

Dr. Jonathan Schaffer, professor of philosophy at Rutgers University, will examine the causal thinking infusing the law at noon Friday, March 15, in 1115 Moore Hall.

Dr. Susan Linz, an economist who has studied employment in Russia and other countries in the former Soviet Union, will speak at 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 13, in Brown Hall.

Grants received in November, December and January push the University's year-to-date total past $16 million.

Soldiers in the 507th Engineer Battalion of the Michigan Army National Guard, including several 51¸£ÀûÉç ROTC alumni, will return from Afghanistan Saturday, March 9. Greet them at 3:30 p.m. at Portage Central High School.

At its Feb. 27 meeting, the 51¸£ÀûÉç Board of Trustees approved the retirements of 11 faculty and 14 staff and also signed off on three faculty resignations as well as two faculty leaves.

People who want to improve their translation skills while working on their language proficiency in Arabic, Japanese or Spanish may apply now to the four-week translation program being offered on campus July 1-25.

The 75th anniversary Southwestern Michigan Vocal Festival, one of the largest, oldest and most successful high school choral festivals in the United States, will be held on campus Wednesday, March 13.

Making connections between industry and university resources is the goal of 51¸£ÀûÉç's Business Connection office. During a March 22 breakfast lecture, Director Lisa Garcia will share more about the services offered.

Before disbanding, the University Dames invites all members and former members to attend its 100th-anniversary program May 4. Call Jean Scott at (269) 343-2296 to be added to the invitation mailing list or to add others.

Dr. Susan Linz will speak at 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 13, in 2028 Brown Hall. Her presentation, titled "Good Governance in Transition Economies: A Comparative Analysis," is free and open to the public.

Student organization Hillel at 51¸£ÀûÉç will be providing free camel rides to the campus community from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 13, in 51¸£ÀûÉç's parking lot 81 near Valley 3.

School of Music faculty ensemble Western Wind Quintet will perform at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 20, in the Dalton Center Recital Hall. Dr. Dan Jacobson will host a 7 p.m. discussion ahead of the performance.

Grammy-nominated composer and trumpeter Tim Hagans will join the Western Jazz Quartet at the Western Invitational Jazz Festival at 8 p.m. Friday, March 15, in the Dalton Center Recital Hall.

Dither, a New York-based electric guitar quartet, will kick off the School of Music’s New Sounds Festival 2013 at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 14, in the Dalton Center Recital Hall. The concert is free and open to the public.

Renowned faculty ensemble the Merling Trio will perform at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 13, at the Dalton Center Recital Hall. The performance will be preceded by a 7 p.m. discussion hosted by Dr. Dan Jacobson.

The Children's Place Learning Center is enrolling school-aged children for its 2013 Summer Program, which begins June 3 and continues through Aug. 30. Register by the week or for the summer.

51¸£ÀûÉç's first survey documenting student views on race and ethnicity was conducted by the Walker Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnic Relations. Results are available online at wmich.edu/walkerinstitute.

Men's soccer walk-on tryouts will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 15, at the Seelye Indoor Athletic Facility on Stadium Drive. A physical, sickle cell test and insurance paperwork is required.