State of the University address, revamped convocation set for Sept. 30

Photo of É«É«À² President John M. Dunn
President Dunn

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—ɫɫÀ² Michigan University President John M. Dunn will deliver his final State of the University address Friday, Sept. 30, as part of a dramatically revamped É«É«À² Fall Convocation.

Activities

  • Teaching and Learning Bash and Teaching with Technology sessions starting at 8:30 a.m. in 208-210 Bernhard Center.
  • A mid-day convocation from 10:45 to 1:30 p.m. that begins in the Bernhard Center South Ballroom with a campuswide award ceremony and Dunn's annual State of the University address, followed by a picnic lunch on the pedestrian mall in front of Sangren Hall.
  • Afternoon Assessment in Action sessions in 208-210 Bernhard Center from 1:30 to 3 p.m.

Dunn announced his June 2017 retirement in August of this year, a move that makes this his 10th and final State of the University address since assuming the É«É«À² presidency in 2007. Although this will be Dunn's last such address, the revamped convocation will feature a series of firsts—the first time a full day of activities has been coordinated around the event, the first time a picnic lunch is part of the mix and the first time previous honorees will play a major role throughout the day.

Morning events include a talk on "Making Connections through Community Service Learning" at 8:50 a.m. by Dr. Michael Nassaney, professor of anthropology, who leads the annual Fort St. Joseph Archaeological dig in Niles. Nassaney was honored last year with a Distinguished Teaching Award. His talk will be followed at 9:20 a.m. by a presentation on "Best Teaching Practices for Student Success" by Sue Ellen Christian, Michigan Professor of the Year and a É«É«À² professor with a dual appointment in communication and gender and women's studies. She is a 2014 recipient of the É«É«À² Distinguished Teaching Award.

Campuswide awards

The campuswide award ceremonies will include presentation in four award categories to nine outstanding faculty and staff members.

  • Four staff members are being honored with Make a Difference Awards—Sheila Atherton, associate director of accounting services-accounts receivable; Earl Conner, a custodian with building custodial and support services; Stacy L. Thinnes, assistant athletic director for special events; and Cynthia A. Town, administrative assistant in the Office of Institutional Equity.
  • Two faculty members will receive Distinguished Teaching Awards—Dr. Jennifer Machiorlatti, professor of communication, and Dr. Lisa Paulius, professor of physics.
  • One faculty member will be honored as an Emerging Scholar—Dr. Jessaca Spybrook, associate professor of educational leadership, research and technology.
  • One faculty member and one staff member each will receive a Distinguished Service Award—Dr. Howard J. Dooley, professor of history, and Amy J. Seth, director of University Recreation.

For more news, arts and events, visit wmich.edu/news.

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