WMU HOME > ABOUT WMU > WMU NEWS

WMU News

Exam week tees off with Finals Finish

April 17, 2004

KALAMAZOO--Members of the campus and Kalamazoo communities will be helping Western Michigan University students "swing" into finals week by volunteering at Finals Finish from 6 to 10 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, April 19 and 20, in WMU's Student Recreation Center.

The event, now in its eighth year, allows students to use the SRC as a late night study and recreation area for the first two days of spring semester final exams. This year's program, "Swing into Finals Finish," has a golf theme and is being sponsored by the Presidential Spirit Committee along with various University units and employee organizations.

"Finals week can be very stressful for students, so this event will offer various forms of stress relief," says Amy Seth, director of University Recreation. "Students will have a chance to take a break from their studies and enjoy free food and fun as they prepare for their exams."

The SRC will be extending its hours and offering students study rooms, a computer lab and open recreation facilities as well as snacks, massages and games. Scuba lessons will be offered again this year and, in keeping with 2004's theme, will include an underwater golf challenge. Other activities planned include a burrito eating contest, silly golf, a three-point shoot out, a slam-dunk contest, and aerobithon and CycleFit events.

Seth notes that Finals Finish is a celebration that fosters spirit and pride on campus and has become a WMU tradition.

"It's our way of showing students that we appreciate their hard work throughout the school year," she says, "and it sends them off on a good note."

Junior Erin Cavanaugh, an elementary education major and Lee Honors College member, is one of many students who look forward to Finals Finish.

"It's so much fun because it's a time when you can let loose, relieve some stress after long hours of studying, and just relax," says Cavanaugh of Royal Oak, Mich.

"I love that there are so many activities that appeal to a variety of students' interests. What more could a college student ask for? You get free food, free massages--the very best part--and a valid excuse to take a break from studying."

Cavanaugh also says the event demonstrates that WMU employees are concerned about students doing well on their finals.

"And it's great to see faculty members passing out snacks or 'reffing' a slam-dunk contest at the Student Recreation Center," she adds, "as opposed to just seeing them in a lecture hall or classroom."

Last year, more than 3,000 students participated in Finals Finish while 63 faculty, staff and administrators volunteered their time and numerous area businesses donated their products and/or services.

Finals Finish 2004 is being dedicated to the late Tamara L. "Tami" Porter, a WMU staff member for 33 years who died in February. Porter was part of the team that organized the first Finals Finish and continued serving on the event's planning committee after her retirement from the University in April 2002.

This year's sponsors include Big Burrito, Equinox Dive & Training Center, Hostess, the Kalamazoo Center for the Healing Arts, Kinko's, Little Caesar's, McDonalds, Minute Maid, Putter's Family Fun Center, Schafer's Flowers, Sweetwater's Donut Mill, Yoplait, and the WMU Bookstore and WMU Dining Services.

To become a Finals Finish volunteer or make a contribution, visit the Web site at <www.src.wmich.edu>.

Media contact: Jeanne Baron, 269 387-8400, jeanne.baron@wmich.edu

WMU News
Office of University Relations
Western Michigan University
1903 W Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5433 USA
269 387-8400
www.wmich.edu/wmu/news