Retro WMU
September 09, 2019
A Brief History of the WMU Alumni Association
On June 22, 1925, 425 WMU alumni, seniors, faculty, and staff were preparing the attend the Annual Alumni Banquet. The dinner and dance reception would be held in downtown Kalamazoo at the Masonic Temple (the building still stands near the corner of Rose and Eleanor Streets), and Miss Eleanor Rawlinson...
August 01, 2019
Draper Hall: The Names Behind The Buildings
Draper Hall is an all-male residence hall attached to Siedschlag Hall. It was opened in 1950 and boasts 77,188 square feet over six floors. The building is named after Blanche Draper, who was the Publicity Director of Western for 31 years from 1919 to 1951. Blanche was also editor of...
May 17, 2019
The Story of Heritage Hall
Western Michigan University’s location did not happen by accident; it was the community’s vision for and commitment to education that brought the school to Kalamazoo. The University’s original building—a highly visible landmark atop Prospect Hill—was erected to represent the integral ties between a proud community and its new school. From...
January 18, 2019
New Arrivals in 1919
One hundred years ago at WMU, several notable figures arrived on campus. While they may not be around any longer, their names can still be found around campus. “The year 1919 brought Smith Burnham to the Department of History, Floyd Moore to economics, Herbert (Buck) Read to physical education, Fred...
July 14, 2016
Wood Hall: The Names Behind The Buildings
Wood Hall was dedicated in November, 1962 to Leslie H. Wood, a well-known geographer and former science teacher at WMU. Pictured above is Wood Hall during construction. Leslie Wood was hired during the first session of Western State Normal School in 1904 by the institution's founding president, Dwight Waldo, to...
May 24, 2016
Zimmerman Hall: The Names Behind The Buildings
Zimmerman Hall was dedicated as a residence hall for women on October 21, 1955. Part of the “Little Three” complex, the hall is now a residence for upper-level students known as the second year experience hall. The hall also began welcoming men some time ago, and offers coed floors with...