On September 19, 2018, 90 applicants from 32 different countries came to the campus of Missouri State University to confirm their citizenship at the United States Naturalization ceremony.
The ceremony began with President Cliff Smart congratulating his,“fellow Americans” and the posting of colors by our Army ROTC Bear Battalion Missouri State University Color Guard. The Honorable M. Douglas Harpool, United States District Judge, conducted the ceremony and acknowledging the privileges of being a U.S. citizen. President of the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association, John Pratt encouraged all the new citizens to participate in their right to vote and sit on a jury.
Letters of recognition were read by representatives of U.S. Senator Claire McCasskill, U.S. Senator Roy Blunt and U.S. Congressman Billy Long. The ceremony ended with a beautiful rendition of, “America the Beautiful” from Zach Greer and the presentation of certificates. At the conclusion of the ceremony a New Citizen Reception was held in the Grand Ballroom where new citizens could register to vote.