Speaker Announced for Commencement

Michael A. Pepper, president of Alcoa Power and Propulsion (APP), will deliver the Midwestern State University commencement address at the ceremony scheduled for 10:00 a.m. December 10 at Kay Yeager Coliseum. Approximately 548 students are candidates to earn their degrees this December.

Pepper has 24 years of experience in the aerospace industry and has served in several leadership roles in sales, marketing, and engineering. Prior to his most recent appointment in January 2011 as vice president, Business Excellence, Michael served as vice president of Strategy and general manager, Aerospace Airfoils, Alcoa Howmet; vice president and general manager, Howmet Products and Services; and general manager of the company's casting operations in Whitehall, Michigan; Laval, Quebec; and Exeter, UK. He began his career in 1987 with Alcoa Howmet and held a series of engineering, manufacturing, and management positions at the Wichita Falls casting operations.

Beyond his professional service, Pepper is a member of the board of directors of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, former board member of the Muskegon County Community Foundation and of the United Way of the Lakeshore, where he also served as chairman of the United Way fundraising campaign. Pepper is also the president of the Mulligan's Hollow Ski Bowl Association, a nonprofit he helped to establish to aid the local, community-based ski resort in Grand Haven, Mich.

Pepper graduated from Midwestern State University in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology, and was also a recipient of the university's distinguished alumni award.

Pepper, his wife, Jennifer, and their three daughters reside in Spring Lake, Mich.