Take advantage of global engagement opportunities in December

Contact: Korey Force
Retired WMU professor Albert LaVergne works on a metal scultpure.

Retired WMU professor and sculptor Albert LaVergne will discuss his second Fulbright project in Nigeria at the Dec. 5 ARTbreak talk at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts.

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University and the extended Kalamazoo community will offer numerous global engagement opportunities in December. Highlights include a Kwanzaa celebration, various art exhibits, performances and conversation circles to help international students practice their English.

Opportunities to get globally engaged are published weekly at wmich.edu/global/events by WMU's Haenicke Institute for Global Education.

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December 2017 Opportunities 

Monday, Dec. 4

  • CELCIS conversation circle—2 to 3 p.m. in the fourth-floor reception area of Ellsworth Hall, hosted by the Center for English Language and Culture for International Students. Join students learning English in relaxed conversation about local and social topics. Free and open to the public.
  • Afro-modern dance class—5:15 to 6:15 p.m. at the Rootead Enrichment Center, 1501 Fulford St., Kalamazoo, hosted by Rootead and Dancemakers Initiative. Join the class to learn about the basic Katherine Dunham technique, which combines African and Caribbean styles of movement. First class is always free, $10 for non-members; open to the public.
  • Information Forum on Immigration—6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Oshtemo Branch Library, 7265 W. Main St., Kalamazoo, hosted by the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center. The Michigan Immigrant Rights Center will present updates on federal regulation policies related to immigration, including DACA and the travel ban. Free and open to the public. 

Tuesday, Dec. 5

  • Creating Sculpture in Ibadan, Nigeria, with Al LaVergne: ARTbreak talk—noon to 1 p.m. at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, 314 S. Park St., Kalamazoo, sponsored by Friendship Village. Join sculptor and retired WMU professor Albert LaVergne, as he describes the process and the opportunity to build a sculpture from the beginning to the final installation. Free and open to the public. 
  • CELCIS conversation circle—2 to 3 p.m. in the Bernhard Center Bronco Global Lounge, hosted by the Center for English Language and Culture for International Students. Join students learning English in relaxed conversation about local and social topics. Free and open to the public.
  • Mesa Española—4 to 5 p.m. in the Brown Hall lobby, hosted by the Department of Spanish. Practice Spanish with other students and native Spanish speakers. Refreshments provided; free and open to the public. 
  • Kwanzaa celebration—5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Trimpe Building Multicultural Center, hosted by the Division of Multicultural Affairs and the Office for Diversity and Inclusion. The event will feature traditional Kwanzaa foods as well as a speaker who will explain the meaning of the holiday tradition. Free and open to the public. 
  • Tibetan Buddhist Meditation Study Group—7 to 8:30 p.m. at the People's Church, 1758 10th St. N., Kalamazoo, hosted by Jewel Heart. The study group offers education on Tibetan Buddhist mediation. Free and open to the public. 

Wednesday, Dec. 6 

  • Lyceum Lecture Series: "The Life and Death of Latisha King"—noon to 1 p.m. in the Lee Honors College Lounge, hosted by the Lee Honors College, the Center for the Study of Ethics in Society, Gender and Women's Studies and Philosophy. The lecture will be led by Dr. Gayle Salamon, associate professor of English at Princeton University. Free and open to the public.
  • CELCIS conversation circle—2 to 3 p.m. in the fourth-floor reception area of Ellsworth Hall, hosted by the Center for English Language and Culture for International Students. Join students learning English in relaxed conversation about local and social topics. Free and open to the public.
  • Mesa Española—3 to 4 p.m. in the Brown Hall lobby, hosted by the Department of Spanish. Practice Spanish with other students and native Spanish speakers. Refreshments provided; free and open to the public.
  • Community African dance class—7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Rootead Enrichment Center, 1501 Fulford St., Kalamazoo, hosted by Rootead. This community class which focuses on African dance encourages the entire family to attend. First class is always free, $10 for non-members; open to the public. 

Thursday, Dec. 7 

  • CELCIS conversation circle (women only)—2 to 3 p.m. in the Bernhard Center Bronco Global Lounge, hosted by the Center for English Language and Culture for International Students. Join students learning English in relaxed conversation about local and social topics. Free and open to women in the public. 

Saturday, Dec. 9 

  • Rhythmic Vitality: Six Principles of Chinese Painting exhibition opening—Dec. 9 to March 25 at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, 314 S. Park St., Kalamazoo, hosted by the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. The exhibition will equip visitors to look further and with greater appreciation using concepts established by one of China's early art critics. Museum admission is $5 for adults, $2 for students; open to the public. 

Monday, Dec. 11 

  • Afro-modern dance class—5:15 to 6:15 p.m. at the Rootead Enrichment Center, 1501 Fulford St., Kalamazoo, hosted by Rootead and Dancemakers Initiative. Join the class to learn about the basic Katherine Dunham technique which combines African and Caribbean styles of movement. First class is always free, $10 for non-members; open to the public.

Tuesday, Dec. 12 

  • Mesa Española—4 to 5 p.m. in the Brown Hall lobby, hosted by the Department of Spanish. Practice Spanish with other students and native Spanish speakers. Refreshments provided; free and open to the public. 
  • Tibetan Buddhist Meditation Study Group—7 to 8:30 p.m. at the People's Church, 1758 10th St. N., Kalamazoo, hosted by Jewel Heart. The study group offers education on Tibetan Buddhist mediation. Free and open to the public. 

Wednesday, Dec. 13 

  • Mesa Española—3 to 4 p.m. in the Brown Hall lobby, hosted by the Department of Spanish. Practice Spanish with other students and native Spanish speakers. Refreshments provided; free and open to the public. 
  • Community African dance class—7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Rootead Enrichment Center, 1501 Fulford St., Kalamazoo, hosted by Rootead. This community class which focuses on African dance encourages the entire family to attend. First class is always free, $10 for non-members; open to the public. 

Monday, Dec. 18 

  • Afro-modern dance class—5:15 to 6:15 p.m. at the Rootead Enrichment Center, 1501 Fulford St., Kalamazoo, hosted by Rootead and Dancemakers Initiative. Join the class to learn about the basic Katherine Dunham technique which combines African and Caribbean styles of movement. First class is always free, $10 for non-members; open to the public.

Tuesday, Dec. 19 

  • Tibetan Buddhist Meditation Study Group—7 to 8:30 p.m. at the People's Church, 1758 10th St. N., Kalamazoo, hosted by Jewel Heart. The study group offers education on Tibetan Buddhist mediation. Free and open to the public. 

Wednesday, Dec. 20 

  • Community African dance class—7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Rootead Enrichment Center, 1501 Fulford St., Kalamazoo, hosted by Rootead. This community class which focuses on African dance encourages the entire family to attend. First class is always free, $10 for non-members; open to the public.