Lawrence Nolan, an alumnus of both WMU and the WMU Cooley Law School, recently became the 82nd president of the State Bar of Michigan, charged with leading the organization's 45,000 members.

Kalamazoo Mayor and WMU alumnus Bobby J. Hopewell will serve as the officiant for the 3:30 p.m. ceremony; Development and Alumni Relations Vice President Tim Terrentine will emcee.

Margaret J. Watson, retired classroom technology consultant, died Sept. 26 at age 61. No formal service is being held, per Watson's wishes.

Student activities planned for Homecoming Week Oct. 3-8 include a spirit competition, food drive, multicultural talent show, and flag football and basketball tournaments.

Gershwin A. Drain and James M. Field will be honored as this year's distinguished alumni during a reception Oct. 7. Advance registration is requested by Sept. 30.

WMU's official overall student enrollment for fall 2016 is 23,252. At 418, the incoming Lee Honors College freshman class is the largest in University history.

Dr. Jessaca Spybrook, associate professor of educational leadership, research and technology, will receive the 2016-17 Emerging Scholar Award during convocation Friday, Sept. 30.

Dr. Frank R. Olenchak, assistant professor emeritus of education and professional development, died Aug. 24 at age 88.

"Forever Brown and Gold" is WMU's 2016 homecoming theme, and a host of activities will mark this year's Oct. 3-8 celebration, including Family Weekend.

President John M. Dunn will deliver his final State of the University address Friday, Sept. 30. Other activities include sessions focused on teaching and assessment, an awards ceremony and a picnic lunch.

The Peppa Pig stage show, based on the top-rated children's television series, is coming to Miller Auditorium for one performance at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12.

The book's author, Emily St. John Mandel, will give a presentation at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19, in the Fetzer Center's Kirsch Auditorium.

The Western Brass Quintet will perform with the Stockholm Chamber Brass at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28, in the Dalton Center Recital Hall. A 7 p.m. discussion hosted by Dr. Robert White will precede the show.

This event has been canceled. Piano Day, a free event in the Dalton Center Recital Hall Saturday, Oct. 15, will allow high school students and teachers to experience a taste of piano study at WMU.

The University Symphonic Band will perform classic and new works at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16, in Miller Auditorium.

The University closed the 2015-16 fiscal year with just over $23.5 million in grants, WMU trustees learned at their Sept. 7 meeting.

Thomas L. Swihart, retired equipment operator for landscape services, died Aug. 24 at age 67. He joined the WMU staff in 1986 and retired in 2010 after 24 years of service to the University.

Cello soloist Richard Narroway will perform as part of the WMU Symphony Orchestra's 2016-17 concert season Oct. 9 at Miller Auditorium.

Seth and Dooley will be honored at Fall Convocation, which is set to begin at 8 a.m. Friday, Sept. 30, in the Bernhard Center.

The events, which are scheduled throughout the fall semester, are intended to encourage discussion about the role of ethics in decision making and moral judgment.

The mixed chamber ensemble will perform at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7, in the Dalton Center Recital Hall. Tickets are available from Miller Auditorium.

William Pickard will kick off the 2016-17 Distinguished Speaker Series with a talk at 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6, on "The 7  Principles of Entrepreneurship."

Arthur T. Howson, assistant professor emeritus of education and professional development, died Aug. 15 at age 85.

Danielle Green will present a talk, titled "The Resilience Factor," at 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 3, in 2000 Schneider Hall.

The 2016 Study Abroad Fair is set for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28, outdoors on the Sangren Pedestrian Mall.

The mobile office will be on campus from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28. The last day to register to vote is Tuesday, Oct. 11.

Bert Carr, a retired vehicle mechanic at WMU, died June 10 at age 90. He joined the WMU staff in 1979 and retired in 1990 after 11 years of service to the University.

Donna Hoke will kick off the series at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 21, in 157-159 Bernhard Center. The reading is free and open to the public.

Active-duty service members, veterans and military dependents are invited to apply by Saturday, April 1, for the need-based scholarship.

Sheila Atherton, Earl Conner, Stacy L. Thinnes and Cindy Town will be recognized Friday, Sept. 30, as recipients of the Annual Make a Difference Award.