On Friday, we will graduate 2,424 students at three commencement ceremonies in JQH Arena.
Commencement is time for celebration
- Abram “Abe” McGull, II, a retired U.S. Navy commander who has dedicated his life to public service, is the featured speaker for the 10 a.m. ceremony.
- Students graduating at 1:30 p.m. will hear from MSU alumnus Gen. Frank J. Grass who currently serves as the 27th Chief, National Guard Bureau and as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
- Dr. John Bentley, who will receive an honorary doctorate for his extraordinary achievements in public affairs, is the featured speaker for the 5 p.m. ceremony.
On Saturday we will hold another commencement ceremony on the West Plains campus.
I want to personally congratulate each of our graduates on a job well done in completing their coursework at Missouri State. I am excited to see the great things each of our new graduates will accomplish in the next chapter of their lives.
Commencement provides us with an important opportunity to celebrate the successes of our graduates. It is a reminder that each of our students makes their Missouri Statement in their own way. I want to take a moment as we finish this year to spotlight a few of our students and celebrate all of our students’ differences.
Spencer Martin
Spencer Martin is the first Missouri State student ever to win the Science, Mathematics and Research award for Transformation, called SMART, from the Department of Defense. In exchange for two years of service with the Department of Defense, SMART awardees receive money for tuition and some college expenses. What is perhaps even better than the money, Martin said, is that winners have a guaranteed internship each summer. His duties at the United States Naval Oceanographic Office in Mississippi will include writing software.
“I’ll go work for that facility full-time after college. It’s basically a guaranteed job, which is awesome. After two years I can either stay in the government or start working in the private sector.” At MSU, he not only applied for the very competitive award, he decided to join a fraternity and become a leader in student government. “My favorite part thing about Missouri State is that you get a lot of opportunities for involvement and leadership. I definitely found a lot of people around me, including professors, who encouraged me or pushed me. Missouri State helped me to dare to excel.”
T-Asia Mays
Watching her mother graduate with an associate’s degree during her senior year of high school inspired St. Louis native T-Asia Mays to continue her own education at Missouri State University. Once on campus, Mays found a way to turn her love of animals into a career through the animal science program in the William H. Darr School of Agriculture.
“My passion for animals followed me here,” Mays said. “My goal is to become an animal nutritionist and make feeds.” Outside of the classroom, Mays has been able to gain experience through her involvement in Sigma Alpha, a service sorority that promotes women in agriculture, Collegiate FFA, Residence Hall Association and Student Government Association. “Within the organizations I’m a part of I have the chance to give back to the community by volunteering,” Mays said. “It’s important for me to give back to my community; even though I don’t have a lot, I can give my time to help others.”
Caitlin Shukwit
Former gymnast Caitlin Shukwit’s passion is moving, whether that’s dancing in Craig Hall, competing as a contestant on “American Ninja Warrior” or walking backwards while guiding tour groups as the president of University Ambassadors. “I also want people moving me emotionally and mentally, and hopefully to be moving other people.”
The self-labeled Type A super-involved student was diagnosed at age 9 with Tourette syndrome and obsessive-compulsive disorder. “I am an open book about it. To me, it’s humorous, you know? Yes, it stinks, and yes, it’s so hard to deal with sometimes. But everywhere I went here, I found supportive friends.” When she graduates in May, she’ll feel like she “pulled every last detail and experience out of Missouri State that I can. I’ll remember all the leadership opportunities and the experiences that just really set me up for some really cool things in my life. It’s important to be serious about school and learn to be professional, but I also want to have fun and be happy every day. You find that balance at Missouri State.”
Read more unique stories about Missouri State students, faculty and staff.
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