Arts and Sciences News--Below are the most-recent articles from WMU News relating to the College of Arts and Sciences, its faculty, students and alumni. Freshman and student group earn STAR Awards (May 13) Freshman Jackie Luedtke and student initiative Drive Safe Kalamazoo honored for volunteer service. Students honored for work in biological sciences (May 12) Fourteen graduate and undergraduate students earn awards from Department of Biological Sciences. Grad students demonstrate success in research endeavors (May 7) Fourteen graduate students receive awards at Research and Creative Activities Day. Grant total tops $1.8 million for March (May 6) Through end of March, total of externally funded awards more than $18.3 million for 2007-08 fiscal year. World's leading medieval scholars come to WMU (May 5) More than 3,000 scholars here for International Congress on Medieval Studies Thursday through Sunday. Three film students invited to Cannes Festival (May 2) Three from WMU competitively selected for student programs at Cannes International Film Festival. Winners announced in annual e-portfolio contest (May 2) Three seniors and one freshman recognized in WMU's fourth electronic portfolio contest. Arabic program gaining notice (April 30) Mustafa Mughazy plays key role in WMU's expanding Arabic language offerings emphasizing spoken Arabic. Stanley K. Derby (April 29) Professor emeritus of physics died March 29. Communication honor society inducts 61 students (April 24) WMU chapter of Lambda Pi Eta, national communication honor society inducts new members. WMU program best undergrad team at competition (April 23) Team from WMU Telecommunications and Information Management program best in nation. More than 2,600 degrees will be conferred Saturday (April 23) President John Dunn presidents over four ceremonies Saturday in Miller Auditorium. Two seniors receive Bucknell poetry fellowships (April 16) Jennifer Dempsey and Rebecah Pulsifer among just 12 undergraduates nationwide to get young poet awards. Junior Michael Gregor is WMU's newest Udall Scholar (April 16) Gregor is fifth WMU student to win prestigious environmental scholarship since 2000. Food and politics is focus of Tuesday lecture (April 14) Dr. Barak Kushner addresses "Eating Your Way to Democracy: Japan's Postwar Politics of Food." Paula Nagle and John Rybicki close Frostic Readings (April 10) Novelist Nangle and poet and essayist Rybicki read from their works Thursday, April 17. Visiting scholar addresses Star Wars weapons (April 10) Social historian Dr. Bruce Franklin speaks tonight about super weapons in American culture. Veteran Tibet observer gives overview of uprising (April 9) Dr. Thomas Kostrzewa examines Tibetan uprising and Chinese crackdown in Monday brown-bag lunch talk. Guest lecturer examines Latino child literacy (April 9) Social Justice Lecture Series concludes Tuesday evening with University of Arizona's Dr. Luis Moll. Grad student is lead author of article in Geology (April 8) Travis Hayden article in Geology magazine explores Chesapeake Bay meteor impact 35 million years ago. Popular physicist, string theory expert speaks Friday (April 7) University of Maryland's Dr. Sylvester Gates gives public talk Friday evening in Fetzer Center. Angles receives prestigious grant for translation (April 7) Dr. Jeffrey Angles wins PEN Translation grant for memoirs of famed Japanese poet Mutsuo Takahashi. Russian poet gives reading during first U.S. visit (April 4) Vyacheslav Kupriyanov gives reading in Russian and English Wednesday afternoon in Sprau Tower. Mead Film Fest at Little Theatre this weekend (April 3) Nine films shown free of charge Friday and Saturday in oldest annual documentary film festival. Ethics Film Series ends with 'When the Levees Broke' (April 3) Documentary about devastation of Hurricane Katrina shown free of charge Thursday, April 10. Michigan's National Geographic Bee here Friday (April 3) Middle-school geography whizzes from across the state at Bernhard Center competing for Michigan title. Economist addresses global markets and cash flows (April 2) University of Michigan's Dr. Linda Tesar discusses international markets Wednesday afternoon, April 9. Visiting scholar to address ethics and empires (March 31) University of Chicago's Dr. Dipesh Chakrabarty speaks Friday afternoon in Knauss Hall. Why English-Only Doesn't Cut it (March 31) Government service veteran Thomas Petzold addresses need for language specialists Thursday in Lee Honors College. Oil's human costs discussed by human rights expert (March 27) Dr. Scott Pegg describes "The Real Price of Oil" in free, public lecture Thursday, April 3. Ethics Bowl team seeks members (March 27) Deadline for applications is Thursday, April 3, for WMU's 2008-09 Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl team. Debate surrounding science, ethics and politics explored (March 26) Panel discusses whether science, ethics and politics are compatible Wednesday, April 2. Noted expert to address Great Lakes water management (March 24) University of Wisconsin's Dr. Jean Bahr speaks Monday, March 31, on "Midwest Water Follies." What can I do with an English major? (March 24) Friday is English Major Career Day, excellent opportunity for majors and those considering English majors. Expert in second language acquisition speaks Friday (March 24) Presentation by Dr. Susan Gass, rescheduled from February, begins 4 p.m. Friday in Multicultural Center. Top seniors to be honored as Presidential Scholars (March 24) Forty-seven students will be recognized at 28th annual Presidential Scholars Convocation. TIM program shines in ITERA national competition (March 24) Telecommunications and Information Management students advance in national competition this week. Grant total tops $16 million for fiscal year (March 24) Grants received in January and February topped $1.5 million, raising 2007-08 total to $16.5 million. Trustees sign off on academic program changes (March 24) Trustees okay several name changes, elimination of one program and creation of two others. Renowned bioethicist to give free public talk (March 21) Dr. Adrienne Asch addresses "Ethics and Science" in Thursday lecture at Fetzer Center. Mary Meader (March 20) WMU benefactor died March 16. Ollin J. Drennan (March 20) Former professor of physics and dean of general studies died Feb. 12. Clayton A. Holaday (March 20) Professor emeritus of English died Feb. 14. Elaine A. Albert (March 20) Assistant professor emerita of English died Dec. 17, 2007. Economics and global justice is focus of lecture (March 18) Wellesley College's Dr. Joseph Joyce speaks on "Global Justice: An Economist's Perspective" March 26. Harvard astrophysicist discusses evolution of galaxies (March 17) Dr. Christine Jones of Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics speaks Tuesday, March 25. Joslin teaches in Egypt through Fulbright exchange (March 14) Dr. Katherine Joslin visits Minoufiya University through Fulbright senior specialist program. Panel discussion to address lack of civility in politics (March 13) Perceived lack of civility in current political debate discussed Wednesday at Bernhard Center. "Smoke Signals" next up for Ethics Film Series (March 13) Admission is free for 1998 comedy-drama Thursday, March 20, in Bernhard Center. Quebec diplomat to address North American nation building (March 13) Marc Boucher to discuss Monday the way globalization is affecting Quebec. Prominent social justice advocate visits WMU (March 13) Dr. Linda Christensen, director of Oregon Writing Project, gives public lecture Thursday, March 20. Fiction writer Kellie Wells next in Frostic Readings (March 11) Short story author will read from her work Monday in the Little Theatre. Sen. Stabenow to talk about women in politics (March 10) Talk by U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow March 17 is part of Women's History Month at WMU. Origins of American Spanish is lecture topic (March 10) "Marginalized Spanish-speaking Communities" addressed by Dr. Armin Schwegler March 17. WMU hosts regional Science Olympiad contest (March 10) Brightest "intelletes" from 26 area middle and high schools convene at Parkview Campus Saturday. WMU digitizes historic African American book (March 7) Book from 1915 about African Americans in Michigan now available worldwide on Internet. Mock trial team preps for nationals (March 6) Team offers free public presentation March 13 in Bernhard Center. There is no gene for race (March 5) Human Race Machine exhibit demonstrates that race is a social, not genetic distinction, March 12-17 in the Bernhard Center. Two film directors highlight Francophone Fest (March 5) Arnold Antonin and Maryanne Zehil present their films during french-lanugage film festival March 12-16. Student scholars from across Michigan meet at WMU (March 3) Michigan Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters conference is Thursday and Friday. Top federal, state employers at Criminal Justice Fair (March 3) Career fair Wednesday, March 12, in Bernhard Center attracts more than 40 employers. Mock trial team advances to national competition (Feb. 22) Fifth time WMU team qualifies for American Mock Trial Association national tournament. Visiting scholar addresses development and globalization (Feb. 22) University of Illinois' Dr. Hadi Saleh Esfahani next in Sichel Lecture Series Wednesday. English majors to present work at national convention (Feb. 21) Sigma Tau Delta honor society members selected to present work in Louisville. Playwright Lisa Kron next in Frostic Readings (Feb. 20) Day and location of Kron's reading changed to Monday at Epic Center Theatre on Kalamazoo Mall. Film reveals the consequences of Agent Orange (Feb. 19) Free screening of "The Last Ghost of War" followed by panel discussion Wednesday night at Little Theatre. Presentation looks at Hindus in Kalamazoo (Feb. 15) Dr. Nancy Falk's talk, rescheduled from January, will be held in the Heinig Emeriti Lounge Wednesday, Feb. 27. Class using digital technology to experience Black history (Feb. 14) Students attend online class as characters in a virtual 19th-century African village. Visiting scholar will discuss Israeli- Palestinian conflict (Feb. 14) Ben-Gurion University's Dr. Neve Gordon, author of "Israel's Occupation" speaks Wednesday, Feb. 27. Spring Frostic Series begins with poet Carl Phillips (Feb. 13) Author of "Quiver of Arrows" and "Riding Westward" reads from his work Monday at Little Theatre. New Issues poets offer readings at Little Theatre (Feb. 13) Frostic Reading Series presents poets David Keplinger and Heather Sellers Thursday, Feb. 21. Panel of experts discuss Russia's future (Feb. 12) "Putin's Long Shadow: Russia's Future," discussed by faculty experts from three universities Tuesday, Feb. 19, at Fetzer Center. "China Syndrome" next in Ethics Film Series (Feb. 8) Academy Award winner about nuclear power plant crisis is subject of screening and discussion Thursday, Feb. 21. Sociologists to discuss self-injurers (Feb. 6) Drs. Patricia and Peter Adler discuss "The Cyber Worlds of Self-Injurers" Thursday afternoon at the Fetzer Center. Scientist to discuss rovers, water, life on Mars (Feb. 5) Washington University's Dr. Raymond Arvidson will discuss "The Mars Exploration Rover Mission" Monday. Angles curates Kennedy Center Japanese events (Feb. 5) Dr. Jeffrey Angles organizes series of literary events for Kennedy Center festival on Japanese culture. Gibbs House accepting fellowship applications (Feb. 5) Applications for yearlong fellowships in environment research and education due by Feb. 22. Tajikistanian business leaders here for open forum (Feb. 5) Question-and-answer session with delegation from Tajikistan is Friday in Bernhard Center. Scholar to discuss issues affecting media's future (Jan. 31) University of Wyoming media expert Gracie Lawson-Borders speaks Wednesday afternoon. Students compiling 100 WMU points of pride (Jan. 30) WSA seeking submissions, primarily from students, for points of pride. Web submission form goes online. Expert in second language acquisition speaks Friday (Jan. 28) Michigan State University's Dr. Susan Gass speaks Friday in WMU's Multicultural Center. Dunn addresses ethics in higher education (Jan. 25) Ethics lecture series presents President John Dunn Wednesday evening in Fetzer Center Putney Auditorium. Faculty and staff lead Reading Together events (Jan. 22) Two programs, Jan. 25 and Feb. 6, examine different aspects of Barbara Kingsolver's novel "Animal Dreams." Talk looks at sexuality and sensibility in British literature (Jan. 22) Dr. Christopher Nagle gives free, public talk Thursday evening in Sprau Tower. WMU students win national community service award (Jan. 18) WMU American Humanics Student Association wins in competition with 75 schools across the country. Geek Group will present technology program (Jan. 18) Self-proclaimed geeks encouraged to attend a public meeting Monday, Jan. 28, to learn more about "The Geek Group." Researchers to explore digital copyright issues (Jan. 18) Growing tension between copyright laws and creative license discussed Friday, Jan. 25, in a lecture and film. Racial and ethnic gaps topic of economics lecture (Jan. 18) Princeton economist Dr. Cecilia Elena Rouse speaks Wednesday afternoon in Sangren Hall. Film fest showcases contemporary Japanese culture (Jan. 16) Film festival visits WMU with five films over seven weeks, beginning with "Pacchigi" Tuesday. Ethics Film Series opens with "High Noon" (Jan. 14) Classic western opens free film series with screening and discussion Thursday, Jan. 24, in Bernhard Center. Mitch Kachun book is choice of Choice magazine (Jan. 11) Early African-American novel edited by WMU historian selected as year's Outstanding Academic Title. Five e-portfolio contest winners announced (Jan. 11) Elizabeth Campbell, Jill Prusinski, Krista VanderSteen, Danielle Webber, Brianna Hyder have top e-portfolios. Lecture addresses MLK, torture, politics and journalism (Jan. 11) Spring ethics lecture series begins Friday, Jan. 18, "Religion, Activism and Politics: From MLK to Now." WMU grad awarded fellowship to assist Liberians (Jan. 9) Recent graduate Norris Tweah gets $35,000 grant to work as special assistant for Liberian government. New Walker Institute director begins duties (Jan. 9) Dr. Timothy Ready, former director of Notre Dame's Institute of Latino Studies, is new director of Walker Institute. Fulbright supports study of American women's clubs (Jan. 1) Dr. Nora Faires awarded Fulbright Distinguished Chair at York University to study clubs for American women living abroad. Presentation looks at Hindus in Kalamazoo (Jan. 1) Dr. Nancy Falk will discuss "Hindus in Kalamazoo" Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 9, in Emeriti Council presentation. Anonymous $5 million bequest will boost faculty retention (Dec. 15) Alumnus funds gift through bequest, with greatest share going to arts and sciences. WMU tops $1.3 million in grants in November (Dec. 15) Externally funded grants $1.3 million in November. Year-to-date total of grants nearly $13 million. Football's Gebhart earns Academic All-America (Dec. 12) Defensive back Anthony Gebhart, an economics major from Addison, Ill., named First Team Academic All-America. Ethics Bowl team heading to national championship (Dec. 6) WMU team wins regional championship, is going to nationals at San Antonio in February. Media Festival features student productions (Dec. 5) Original audio, video and film productions by communication students showcased Thursday, Dec. 13, in Knauss Hall. Renowned bird flu scientist speaks Friday (Dec. 4) Dr. Robert Webster, credited as first to find the link between human flu and bird flu, speaks in Wood Hall Friday afternoon. Lecture addresses same-sex sexuality in post-war Japan (Nov. 21) Sociologist and cultural historian Dr. Mark McLelland speaks Thursday, Nov. 29, in Schneider Hall. Samurai drama concludes Japanese film series (Nov. 19) Kihachi Okamoto's "Sword of Doom" presented free of charge Tuesday, Dec. 4, in Japanese Film Classics. WMU cadet makes DOD photos of the week (Nov. 16) Photo of ROTC cadet Elizabeth Slabaugh among handful worldwide selected for Department of Defense Web site. Stuart Dybek honored at Friday reception (Nov. 12) Award-winning author and longtime WMU faculty member honored at public library reception and reading. WMU recognized for work on Fort St. Joseph (Nov. 9) Archaeological exploration and educational efforts garner highest honor from Historical Society of Michigan. Novelist Victor LaValle gives reading Wednesday (Nov. 9) Award-winning novelist concludes fall schedule of Frostic Reading Series Wednesday in the Little Theatre. Japanese film is inspiration for foreign directors (Nov. 8) Mizoguchi's "Sansho the Bailiff" is next in Japanese Film Classics, Thursday, Nov. 15, in Knauss Hall. Geosciences, math and physics hold open house (Nov. 8) Faculty and staff on hand in Rood Hall Wednesday to discuss internships, research, careers and more. Former Mexican foreign minister here Monday (Nov. 7) Dr. Jorge Castaneda will speak on "Mexico-U.S. Relations," including NAFTA, immigration, border security, other issues. Preservation architect speaks Thursday at Fetzer (Nov. 7) Winterset Literary Award winner Dr. Robert Mellin discusses his work and writing in free, public lecture. Ethics forum looks at single-payer health insurance (Nov. 7) Emergency room doctor addresses single-payer health insurance Tuesday, Nov. 13, at Fetzer Center. Ethics lecture addresses the 'other' stem cell debate (Nov. 5) Case Western Reserve's Dr. Insoo Hyun addresses the ethics of stem cell research Wednesday in Bernhard Center. WMU professor makes sense of alternative energy sources (Nov. 5) Dr. Steven Bertman asks "What Biofuels are in Your Future?" in free, public talk, Wednesday, Nov. 14. Talk to address excessive force by police (Nov. 2) Former Florida law enforcement official will discuss "Excessive Force and Police Department Culture" Thursday, Nov. 8. Poet Marvin Bell reads next in Frostic Series (Nov. 2) Acclaimed, prolific poet and essayist reads from his work Wednesday, Nov. 7, in the Little Theatre. Bringing the world to Western (Nov. 1) International Education Week opens with annual Russian Festival, continues through Nov. 16 with films, lectures, music and other activities. A little bit of Russia comes to Kalamazoo (Nov. 1) Kalamazoo Russian Festival at WMU, Nov. 9-10, features Russian cuisine, folk dancing, musical performances and more. Grant total for August exceeds $5 million (Oct. 31) Fiscal-year total for externally funded grants tops $7.6 million through end of August, of which $5 million is for research. Novelist Robin Hemley reads Monday in Frostic Series (Oct. 28) Director of Iowa's Nonfiction Writing Program reads from his work Monday evening at the Little Theatre. Benson, Pennock honored for distinguished service (Oct. 19) Spanish professor and associate director of Miller Auditorium receive WMU's Distinguished Service Award. Gershon, Kynaston, Palthe honored for teaching excellence (Oct. 19) Three will be honored with Distinguished Teaching Awards at Thursday's Academic Convocation. Renowned physicist named Distinguished Faculty Scholar (Oct. 19) Dr. Arthur McGurn will be recognized during Thursday's Academic Convocation. Three professors lauded as emerging academic stars (Oct. 19) Dr. Stephen Covell, Igor Fedotov and Dr. David Huffman received Emerging Scholar Awards. Archaeologist discusses prehistoric city (Oct. 18) NYU's Dr. Rita Wright will discuss "Urbanism in the Indus Civilization" Monday evening in Wood Hall. Event examines No Child Left Behind legislation (Oct. 16) Drs. Paul Farber and Allison Kelaher-Young are next in ethics lecture series, Thursday in Bernhard Center. Short horror stories next for Japanese film series (Oct. 16) Free screening of Kobayashi's "Kwaidan," (Ghost Stories) is just in time for Halloween, Thursday, Oct. 25. Economic development expert next in Sichel Series (Oct. 16) Michigan State's Dr. Lisa Cook speaks on Wednesday, Oct. 24, on economic growth in developing nations. Trustees approve five retirements (Oct. 16) Retirements of three faculty, two staff members with 152 years combined service effective between January and April 2008. Short horror stories next for Japanese film series (Oct. 16) Free screening of Kobayashi's "Kwaidan," (Ghost Stories) is just in time for Halloween, Thursday, Oct. 25. Economic development expert next in Sichel Series (Oct. 16) Michigan State's Dr. Lisa Cook speaks on Wednesday, Oct. 24, on economic growth in developing nations. Trustees approve five retirements (Oct. 16) Retirements of three faculty, two staff members with 152 years combined service effective between January and April 2008. Art Faculty Show opens in Richmond Center (Oct. 15) Annual exhibition of works by art faculty on display for the first time in new Richmond Center for Visual Arts. Alumnus speaks Thursday on preserving public housing (Oct. 12) Lee Reno will speak on "A $160 Billion Asset That Must Be Preserved" in Fetzer Center. London scholar of modern history to speak Tuesday (Oct. 11) Dr. David Killingray will discuss "Black British Writers, Abolitionists and Radicals, 1770-1830." City commission candidates coming to campus (Oct. 11) Five candidate forums scheduled this month, including Oct. 23 at the Fetzer Center with moderator Gordon Evans. Symposium and dinner to honor longtime WMU historian (Oct. 10) Registration required by Monday, Oct. 15, for event honoring Dr. Ernst Breisach. Political scientists statewide to attend local event (Oct. 10) WMU and KVCC host 39th Annual Michigan Conference of Political Scientists Oct. 11-12. Peace Corps visits WMU, recognizes graduate program (Oct. 3) Success of WMU's Master's International program will be recognized at Thursday campus event. New tool helps students track degree progress (Oct. 2) Progress to Degree enables students to generate electronic reports of remaining requirements for undergraduate degrees. Geoscientist and economist discuss our energy future (Oct. 2) Economic, environmental consequences of viable energy alternatives discussed Thursday evening at Fetzer Center. Poet and essayist Lia Purpura next in Frostic Series (Oct. 1) Award-winning writer is next in the Frostic Reading Series, Wednesday, Oct. 10, in the Little Theatre. Anthropologist Holtzman named ACLS fellow (Oct. 1) WMU's Dr. Jon Holtzman among the few U.S. scholars named fellows of American Council of Learned Societies. Rypma will read from her fairytale poems (Sept. 28) WMU's Judith Rypma reads from latest book of poems, "Rapunzel's Hair," Wednesday at Portage District Library. Playwright Rich Orloff reads Monday in Frostic Series (Sept. 28) Author of 10 full-length plays, numerous one-acts reads from his work Monday in the Little Theatre. Fall ethics lectures address wide range of issues (Sept. 26) Series opens with "Of All Professions Begging is the Best" by Dr. Michael Davis, Thursday, Oct. 4. Great Lakes environment, health and policy addressed (Sept. 26) University of Western Ontario's Dr. Joy Parr delivers annual Canadian Studies Lecture Wednesday, Oct. 3. Learn about opportunities in linguistics Friday (Sept. 25) WMU students and the public invited to learn about diverse course offerings and programs in linguistics, meet faculty. Stuart Dybek named MacArthur Foundation Fellow (Sept. 25) Acclaimed author and longtime creative writing faculty member gets "genius award" and $500,000 prize. First Graduate College Colloquium is Wednesday (Sept. 22) Drs. Michael Pritchard and Grace Tiffany will address "The Vocation of Seeking Truth." Doctoral student named national peace scholar (Sept. 21) Fodei Batty of Sierra Leone one of only 10 nationally to earn $20,000 Jennings Randolph Peace Scholarships. Sichel Lecture Series puts spotlight on globalization (Sept. 21) Series begins Wednesday with Dr. Kenneth Reinert speaking on "Globalization for Development?" Speaker series examines vaccine development (Sept. 21) Pfizer and WMU sponsor weekly series Mondays through Dec. 3 at Fetzer Center, free and open to public. Visiting German scholar to speak on 'ideal' art models (Sept. 19) Dr. Eckhard Leuschner will speak Monday on "Measuring the Body in 20th Century Art and Art Education." Edwin Meader remembered at memorial service (Sept. 18) Major WMU benefactor remembered by President Emeritus Haenicke, other friends and colleagues, Tuesday, Sept. 25. Need help choosing a major? (Sept. 15) Academic fair, "Major Excitement," Thursday offers 25 information booths for programs, majors, study abroad and career guidance. Award-winning chemist to speak on solar energy (Sept. 15) Cal Tech's Dr. Harry B. Gray speaks Tuesday on "Powering the Planet with Solar Energy." Japanese Film Classics debuts Thursday (Sept. 15) Akira Kurosawa's "High and Low" opens new film series Thursday in Schneider Hall, free and open to the public. Short story discussion launches new ethics series (Sept. 14) First session for open discussion group is Thursday, Sept. 20. Future readings chosen by those who attend. New Issues Poetry & Prose names new editor (Sept. 14) Dr. William Olsen, WMU professor of English, succeeds the late Dr. Herbert Scott, who founded New Issues. Constitution Day event looks at Supreme Court trends (Sept. 14) "The Constitution and the Supreme Court" will be discussed Monday afternoon in Friedmann Hall. WMU to bring national race exhibit to Kalamazoo (Sept. 14) Race as sociological phenomenon explored in major exhibit coming Kalamazoo Valley Museum in 2010. LaFleur discusses Japan's concerns about high-tech health (Sept. 11) Senior fellow of University of Pennsylvania Center for Bioethics speaks Thursday, Sept. 20. Poet William Olsen opens Frostic Reading Series (Sept. 11) WMU's Olsen reads from his work Monday, Sept. 17, in the Little Theatre. All readings in series are free. Nominations sought for Distinguished Teaching Award (Sept. 10) Students and alumni encouraged to submit nominations, deadline is Thursday, Sept. 20. |
