by Mark Schwerin
from http://www.wmich.edu

KALAMAZOO--Western Michigan University music students are stepping to a familiar beat, winning six awards from DownBeat magazine in its annual student music competition, third most of any institution worldwide and substantially more than any other school in Michigan.

WMU students took top honors in a wide range of categories, making the achievement especially gratifying, says Tom Knific, WMU professor of music and director of the Jazz Studies Program. The competition also is becoming more international in stature, which gives the WMU wins even more prestige.

When she moved into her Habitat for Humanity home on Kalamazoo’s north side in 1985, Kattie Johnson was putting down roots for three children. Twenty-seven years later, Johnson’s home is a gathering place for her children and grandchildren, extended family, friends, and neighbors. Each summer, hundreds of local children also gather in her backyard for an annual back-to-school bazaar Johnson and her friends and family sponsor. In 2011, more than 300 free backpacks of school supplies were distributed. Students also enjoyed free haircuts, games, and refreshments. This is just one example of the service to the community that earned Johnson recognition by Habitat for Humanity of Michigan as the Habitat Homeowner Partner of the Year. This is the first time the organization has presented the award.

Seeding Change, the home of Great Lakes PeaceJam, is proud to welcome Nobel Peace Prize recipient Rigoberta Menchú Tum of Guatemala to Western Michigan University’s Bernhard Center on April 20, 2012, marking the 10th anniversary of bringing Nobel Peace Laureates to Kalamazoo.

In 1992 Mrs. Menchú was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of her work for the rights of the Maya of Guatemala and native people everywhere. She was the first Indian to receive the award and one of only a handful of women.

Mrs. Menchú’s work focuses on healing communities divided by racism and/or ethnic tensions.  Recently her work has also included educating people on the Mayan perspective on end of the Mayan calendar in 2012 and what this means for all of us.