Eastern Michigan University is in preparation for the next landmark of its history: The presidential investiture of Brendan Kelly.
This academic ceremony is scheduled to take place on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, at 2 p.m. at Pease Auditorium and will be hosted by the EMU Board of Regents.
This event will officially induct Kelly as the 24th president of Eastern Michigan University. Kelly began serving as university president on April 1, 2026. He succeeds the former president James Smith, who served for 10 years.
This investiture is tradition for EMU and represents the symbolic vesting of the university authority, and also serves as an academic homecoming celebration.
The event is open to the public as well as EMU alumni, family and friends. Seating for this event is free and operates on a first come, first served basis.
The investiture event also includes a post-ceremony reception immediately following in Sill Hall.
