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Sherry Bate to be honored for 35 years of service

May 17, 2005

KALAMAZOO--Sherry K. Bate will be honored for her 35 years of service to Western Michigan University at a retirement reception in the Gilmore Theatre Atrium from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 25. Friends and colleagues from the university and local communities are invited to attend.

Bate began her WMU career in 1970 as secretary to the late Dr. M.W. Travers, a Distinguished University Professor in the College of Education. In 1973, she moved to administrative duties in the dean's office of the College of Fine Arts, which had been established one year earlier. She has served with every dean in the college's history--Robert Holmes, Robert Luscombe and Margaret Merrion--and witnessed the construction of the Dalton Center, Gilmore Theatre Complex and now the Richmond Center for Visual Arts.

In 2002, Bate was one of four recipients of the annual Staff Service Excellence Award, which included a $1,000 prize. Fourteen nominators praised her meticulous attention to detail, impressive writing skills, pleasant and professional demeanor, abilities as a mentor, and deep institutional knowledge.

Bate's retirement is effective June 19.

Media contact: Thom Myers, 269 387-8400, thom.myers@wmich.edu

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