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¡Enhorabuena a la Profesora Mariola Pérez de la Cruz!  Congratulations!

Professor Pérez de la Cruz is among the select group of faculty and staff who receive the annual Distinguished Awards. These are the highest level of recognition at WMU. Prof. Pérez de la Cruz will receive the Distinguished Service Award during the Fall Awards Celebration on Friday, Sept. 29 at 11 a.m. in the Kirsch Auditorium of the Fetzer Center.

Professor Pérez de la Cruz has been an essential member of the Department of Spanish for over twenty years and an integral part to the fabric of WMU. As Dr. Tasende points out, "she and has played a crucial role in helping the department recruit and retain students. And, above all, she has proven consistently for more than two decades that she is committed to the support, development and success of every single WMU student that she meets.” Hundreds of students have benefited from her skillful advising and mentoring over the years and her superb pedagogical skills in the teaching of Spanish language and culture. She has led the study abroad programs in Burgos and Santander over the years, has been a coordinator of the second-year Spanish language program, has coordinated numerous activities, such as the Hispanic Film Festival, the Spanish writing and video contests, and continues to be an ardent advocate for our students.

Professor Michael Millar passed away on July 31. The Department of Spanish and all the members of its extended family -colleagues and students alike-, as well as the many people whose lives he touched in our Kalamazoo community, are deeply saddened by his death. He leaves a large void in our department and the profession at large and will be greatly missed. You may find his obituary at . 

Please join his family, friends, and colleagues at the following events in Professor Millar’s honor:

• Life Story Visitation on Friday, August 11, from 5-7 PM at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900.
• A Memorial Service will be held at First Presbyterian Church in downtown Kalamazoo on Saturday, September 9, at 1 PM

Visit Michael’s webpage at to archive favorite memories, photos, and sign his guestbook.

Memorial contributions to the "Professor Michael Millar Scholarship" will be used in their entirety for scholarships to benefit students of Spanish. To make a contribution, please go to

You may also send a check or money order payable to “Department of Spanish at ������ϲ����� Michigan University” with designation to "Professor Michael Millar Scholarship" in the remark space to:
 

Department of Spanish
C/O Colleen Sante
������ϲ����� Michigan University. 
1903 W. Michigan Ave.
Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5338