SEPTEMBER 20, 2012 Volume 39, Number 2 WMU named to top-universities list WMU is one of just four Michigan public Fall semester starts off with big celebrations universities included in the U.S. News & There’s a celebratory mood on campus this World Report’s annual list of top-tier national fall, and major events have been planned universities. The publication’s 2012 ranking early in the semester to recognize a number of more than 1,500 four-year colleges and of significant accomplishments. universities was unveiled Sept. 12 and is First up is the Academic Convocation available in a print guidebook on newsstands. at 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21, in the Dalton WMU is among the 281 institutions—173 Center Recital Hall. This annual event public, 101 private and seven for-profit—the formally kicks off the beginning of another magazine singles out as having national academic year. It features President John standing and being among the nation’s M. Dunn’s State of the University address best. WMU’s numerical rank this year is and the presentation of WMU’s most pres- 189 among the total group. This is the 22nd tigious campuswide awards for faculty and year WMU has appeared in the magazine’s staff members. What’s behind the “W”? In this case, the new Sangren Hall. (Photo by Mike Lanka) top grouping of “best national universities.” The campus and local community is in- MetroDetroit to offer new program vited to attend the convocation, as well as the reception that will immediately follow in the Richmond Center lobby. Visit for more information Information sessions have been set to ex- wmich.edu/news/2012/09/1649 and links to detailed stories about this year’s award winners. plain the new master’s degree in leadership The following Friday, Sept. 28, will be an equally big day as the University stages a Excel- for organizational learning and performance lence Renewed celebration commemorating the replacement of Sangren Hall, renovation being offered through WMU-MetroDetroit of the Lee Honors College Building and creation of the new West Campus pedestrian mall. beginning in January 2013. The WMU and local communities are invited to the event, which begins at 6 p.m. in Information sessions will be held Wednes- front of the new Sangren. President Dunn and other dignitaries will speak during a short days, Sept. 26 and Nov. 7, in the Metro- program that will be followed by a reception in Sangren. Detroit regional facility, 32820 Woodward During the reception, the Bronco Marching Band, flag corps and music students will be Ave., Suite 220, in Royal Oak, Mich. performing. In addition, both Sangren and the honors college building will be open, so Advance registration at wmich.edu/metro- people can take self-guided tours. Trained students will be available at tour stops in Sangren detroit/orglearningevent is encouraged for to explain some of the new building’s attributes. each session. Visit wmich.edu/leadership/ Although not directly tied to the Excellence Renewed celebration, those attending the olp for more information. Direct questions event are invited to stay on campus to hear a free public reading by U.S. Poet Laureate to Larry Buzas at [email protected] Philip Levine at 8 p.m. in Schneider Hall. or (269) 387-3881. continued on page 4 Staff award nominations due Oct. 31 Nominations for the fall round of WMU’s Excitement grows as homecoming festivities near semiannual Make a Difference awards are Exciting ac- in downtown due by Oct. 31. The awards recognize Staff tivities are be- Kalamazoo for Compensation System, AFSCME, MSEA ing scheduled a pep rally at and POA employees who provide excep- for homecom- 8:30 on the tional service to the University. ing week, Mon- North Kalam- Those selected for the accolade receive a day through azoo mall. It before-tax prize of $300 and a certificate, are Sunday, Oct. starts at 8:15 recognized at a special reception, and may 1-7. p.m. with the be nominated for one of four annual Make a The week be- Bronco March- Difference awards that include a before-tax gins with sev- ing Band and prize of $1,200. eral traditional WMU cheer, Make a Difference is a campus peer-to-peer student events dance and awards program recognizing staffers for their and gets into football teams daily investment of energy and creativity. high gear at marching the It features semiannual and annual awards. the end of the The first modern-day downtown Kalamazoo pep rally took length of the Semiannual award recipients may win mul- week with a place last year. (Photo by Mike Lanka) mall. tiple times, but are limited to one semiannual variety of events involving alumni and the • Homecoming Saturday, Oct. 6, will award per academic year. Visit wmich.edu/ local community. begin with the 14th annual Homecoming hr/make-a-difference year round for nomi- • Activities on Friday, Oct. 5, include Campus Classic 1K and 5K run/walk. For nation instructions and forms. the 31st Distinguished Alumni Dinner and this year’s classic, the Student Recreation 2012 study abroad fair scheduled Award Ceremony from 6:15 to 9 p.m. in the Center’s indoor tennis courts will be the site Bernhard Center’s East Ballroom. This year’s for race-day registration from 7 to 9 a.m. and The Study and Intern Abroad Fair is set recipients are Jan A. Huston, head of the the 10:15 a.m. awards ceremony that will for noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 2, in the Connie Dwyer Breast Center at St. Michael’s include refreshments. The 1K events will Bernhard Center’s East Ballroom on WMU’s Medical Center, and C. Wesley Smith, an start at 8:45 a.m. and 5K events at 9:15 a.m. main campus. This annual event is open to executive vice president for International by the recreation center. Visit wmich.edu/ the public and showcases the more than 70 Paper. To attend, register through mywmu. campusclassic for more information or to programs WMU offers in 30-plus countries. com or call (269) 387-8700. register or volunteer. Each year, the fair enables more than 800 • Friday evening, friends and community • Celebrants will be able to rev up for students and community members to explore members will join the campus community the 2 p.m. game against the University of the study abroad opportunities available to continued on page 4 them worldwide. 1 Trustee earns achievement award WMU Trustee Dennis W. Archer was Around campus and beyond honored by the Minority Corporate Counsel Association during a sold-out Sept. 11 gala Time to register for culture classes Sept. 27, in the main lobby of the Engi- in New York’s Lincoln The Confucius Institute at WMU neering and Applied Sciences Building. Center that honored the is accepting registrations for fall 2012 The expo is free and open to the public, foremost corporate law Chinese culture courses that begin the but geared for WMU’s students and recent departments and their week of Sept. 24. alumni in engineering-related fields. No diversity programs as well The low-cost courses are open to the pre-registration is required. as individuals who have public, and WMU employees and students Representatives of more than 100 had a major impact in receive a tuition discount. For details or companies will be on hand, making this promoting diversity. Archer to register, visit wmich.edu/confucius or year’s expo the largest ever at WMU for Archer, a WMU alum- contact Yu Zhang at wmu-confucius-cc@ jobseekers in engineering and applied nus, received the MCCA’s 2012 Lifetime wmich.edu or (269) 387-3784. sciences. The companies will be promot- Achievement Award, which is presented ing their organizations and recruiting for to an individual “who has made important Fall Sichel Lecture Series begins internships and full-time, part-time and and lasting contributions to advancing a The economics of good governance co-op positions. society that fully appreciates, celebrates and will be examined during the 49th Werner recognizes the value of diversity.” Speaker to address startup culture Sichel Lecture Series that starts Wednes- His wide-ranging achievements include day, Sept. 26, with Carolyn J. Heinrich The top executive of a leading manu- serving two terms as mayor of Detroit, facturer of surgical implants for minimally from the University of Texas speaking on earning widespread respect in the process; disruptive spinal surgery will lead off the “The Role of Performance Management being the American Bar Association’s first 2012-13 Distinguished Speaker Series. in Good Governance.” African-American president, and in his fifth Keith C. Valentine, president and This year’s series features six nationally and final year as a Michigan Supreme Court chief operating officer of NuVasive Inc., known economists whose presentations justice, being named the most respected will discuss “The Culture of a $1 Billion are free and open to the public. All judge in the state. six presentations will take place from Startup” at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 3, 3 to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesdays in 2028 in Schneider Hall. Attendees should Storytelling prof hits Moth stage Brown Hall. register by Friday, Sept. 28. The free Performance footage of Allison Downey, talk will be followed by a question-and- teaching, learning and educational stud- Expo focuses on engineering jobs answer period. ies, was shown in a Sept. 9 CBS “Sunday A range of job opportunities for engi- To register or obtain more information, Morning” segment on neers will be showcased at the Engineering contact Cyntia Reeves at cyntia.reeves@ storytelling, and she will Expo from 10 a.m.