September 2019 51¸£ÀûÉç News

Dancing, art and cultural activities highlight 51¸£ÀûÉç China Festival

Admission to 51¸£ÀûÉç's China Festival, parking and cultural activities are free, and for a nominal fee, attendees may sample traditional foods prepared by local restaurants.

Update: Aerial mosquito treatment canceled for 51¸£ÀûÉç campus area

9/30/19 Update: The Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services Department has announced that it will no longer conduct aerial insecticide treatments anywhere in the county. This is due to the number of opt-out requests that residents sent to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

51¸£ÀûÉç secures NIH grant to use technology to battle opioid addiction

Research on the horizon at 51¸£ÀûÉç could lead to life-saving results for people struggling with opioid addiction. Addiction recovery technology company DynamiCare Health, in collaboration with 51¸£ÀûÉç, has been awarded a $222,383 grant from the National Institutes of Health's Helping to End Addiction Long-term, or NIH HEAL, Initiative.

Confronting racism and creating justice take center stage at 51¸£ÀûÉç with book circles, play

A unique collaboration meant to catalyze conversation on racial biases will take place 51¸£ÀûÉç Michigan University. The events involve book circles discussing bestselling author Ibram Kendi's book, "How to be an Antiracist," a visit and discussions with the author himself, as well as a 51¸£ÀûÉç Theatre production of "Gem of the Ocean," the first in playwright August Wilson's 10-play chronicle of the African American experience.

Native seed project helps 51¸£ÀûÉç get back to its roots

Hundreds of native plants are being raised at the University and used in ecological restoration projects all over campus.

New academic leadership highlights 51¸£ÀûÉç innovation, expertise

Showing us that our faculty are as fluent in change as our students, Dr. Irma Lopez and Dr. Steven Butt took  on new challenges this academic year as interim deans.

Technology creates new layer of safety for people with visual impairments

A project is underway at 51¸£ÀûÉç, under the guidance of Dr. Pnina Ari-Gur, to create a vest that could alert people with visual impairments to obstacles in their path.

Montgomery delivers his third State of the University address

The president thanked faculty and staff for their dedication and challenged them to continue elevating 51¸£ÀûÉç as a school of choice for 21st century learners.

Open house to review findings of 51¸£ÀûÉç parking, transportation study

Recommendations for bus routes, walkability, bike usage and parking 51¸£ÀûÉç Michigan University, as well as input on a future road as part of a new development project, are the focus of two public sessions Thursday, Sept. 26, on campus.

51¸£ÀûÉç United Way launches 2019 campaign with a $200,000 goal, children's book drive

The event also marked the launch of a children's book drive to jump-start the collection of 2,500 new or gently used books throughout the University community for students in kindergarten through the third grade.

Autonomous vehicle research rolling onto 51¸£ÀûÉç campus

Research involving an autonomous electric shuttle officially kicked off Thursday, Sept. 19, on the 51¸£ÀûÉç campus. The $2.1 million project, funded through the Michigan Mobility Challenge announced by former Gov. Rick Snyder last year, focuses on improving transportation options for people with disabilities.

Health advisory: Safeguards against mosquito-borne virus recommended

Health officials have recommended avoiding outdoor activities after dusk due to local cases of the rare but serious mosquito-borne virus Eastern Equine Encephalitis. Officials also recommend using insect repellents that contain the active ingredient DEET. UPDATE: Insect repellent is being made available at academic buildings, residence halls, the Sindecuse Health Center, the Student Rec Center and other key areas.

Outstanding faculty, staff members awarded 51¸£ÀûÉç's highest honors

At Fall Convocation, eleven 51¸£ÀûÉç faculty and staff members were recognized for their achievements and contributions to the University. The Distinguished Service, Distinguished Teaching, Distinguished Faculty Scholar, Emerging Scholar and Make a Difference awards were presented during a ceremony Friday, Sept. 20.

51¸£ÀûÉç alumni create educational opportunities for Kalamazoo refugees

The Kalamazoo Refugee Resource Collaborative debuted a pilot program this summer to help middle- and high school-aged refugees get the tools they need to be successful in the American school system.

Award-winning singer, plane crash survivor to speak on resilience at 51¸£ÀûÉç

Kechi Okwuchi, who overcame unbelievable adversity after a plane crash nearly took her life, will deliver the annual Resilience Factor Lecture at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 23 in Dalton Recital Hall.

Join in the festivities for the annual Sustainability Celebration

The open house is designed to create new opportunities for advancing collaboration, making connections on campus and in the community and celebrating sustainability at 51¸£ÀûÉç and Kalamazoo.

Executive director of local nonprofit to present at first Mercantile Bank of Michigan Speaker Series

Luke Kujacznski will speak at 8 a.m. Friday, Sept. 27, in 1120 Schneider Hall as the  first speaker in the Mercantile Bank of Michigan Speaker Series 51¸£ÀûÉç Michigan University's Haworth College of Business.

51¸£ÀûÉç Study Abroad Fair open to campus and community

Western Michigan University's annual Study Abroad Fair on Wednesday, Sept. 25, will provide area students and the public with the information to make an overseas learning experience part of their college degree programs.

Three 51¸£ÀûÉç students receive prestigious scholarships

Western Michigan University students Jake DeJulio, Jake Frye and Samantha Mcgrath have received prestigious scholarships from the National Grocers Association Foundation. This is the second consecutive year that 51¸£ÀûÉç students have garnered the most scholarships out of all students nationally who received awards.

51¸£ÀûÉç's regional manufacturing lab installs new high-tech equipment

The first of three new machines for the Advanced Manufacturing Partnership Laboratory, or AMP Lab, in downtown Grand Rapids, weighs more than 20,000 pounds and required removal of one of the windows facing Cherry Street and two cranes in order to move into the building and to its final spot in the Showcase/Prototyping Lab.

Theoretical nuclear physicist to receive Emerging Scholar Award

Dr. Elena Litvinova, associate professor of physics, will receive the Emerging Scholar Award during 51¸£ÀûÉç's Fall Convocation activities at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 20, in the Bernhard Center.

Three to receive 51¸£ÀûÉç's Distinguished Service Award

Diana Hernández, director of the Division of Multicultural Affairs; Dr. Wei-Chiao Huang, professor of economics; and Dr. William Rantz, professor of aviation sciences, will receive Western Michigan University's Distinguished Service Award during 51¸£ÀûÉç's annual Fall Convocation Friday, Sept. 20.

Hope in the darkness: 51¸£ÀûÉç music therapy alum finds calling in hospice

Kaitlin Ridgway, who earned her equivalency and master's degree in music therapy at 51¸£ÀûÉç, is changing lives with her work at Hospice of Michigan.

51¸£ÀûÉç's Fall Convocation celebrates achievement, State of University

President Edward Montgomery's State of the University address is at 11:45 a.m. Friday, Sept. 20, in the North Ballroom of the Bernhard Center.

Two professors to be honored with Distinguished Teaching Awards

As Distinguished Teaching Award recipients, Drs. Matthew Mingus and Leah Omilion-Hodges join 31 other faculty members who have been honored since the start of the award program in 2006.

Comparative religion researcher to receive distinguished scholar award

Dr. Brian Wilson, 51¸£ÀûÉç professor comparative religion, will receive the Distinguished Faculty Scholar Award.

Donation helps 51¸£ÀûÉç foster entrepreneur success in Kalamazoo community

A $140,000 gift establishing the Monroe-Brown Foundation Entrepreneurship Fund aims to foster job-creation and engage Kalamazoo-area entrepreneurs like Dr. Khady Ndao-Brumblay, who hopes to turn her dream of increasing African representation in children's literature a reality.

51¸£ÀûÉç alumna returns to develop University's community partnerships

Kara Wood, managing director of economic development services for the city of Grand Rapids, will join Western Michigan University as its new associate vice president for community partnerships.

51¸£ÀûÉç trustees to consider sale of property, capital outlay requests

Meeting in formal session Wednesday, Sept. 11, Western Michigan University trustees will consider the sale of a parcel in the Business Technology and Research Park 2, among several other agenda items.

Four staffers bestowed 51¸£ÀûÉç's top honor

Dr. Vun Doubblestein, Rebecca Huntley, Shari Rose and Dustin Skaggs will be honored for their exceptional contributions to Western Michigan University during Fall Convocation Friday, Sept. 20.