Office of University Communications
Missouri State to confer 2,070 degrees during spring commencement
Community leaders Annie Busch and Jim Craig to receive honorary doctorates
Date: May 14, 2007
Contact: Dr. John Catau
(417) 836-8346
Degrees in the College of Health and Human Services and College of Natural and Applied Sciences will be given out at 11 a.m. Degrees in the College of Business Administration will be presented at 2 p.m., with degrees in the College of Arts and Letters, College of Education and College of Humanities and Public Affairs given at 5 p.m. Each ceremony is expected to last approximately 90 minutes with Jim Craig, Jim Anderson and Annie Busch speaking at each ceremony, respectively.
Craig will receive the Doctorate in Humane Letters at the 11 a.m. ceremony. He is a former president of the Better Business Bureau and a respected civic leader. Widely known as "the good humor man," Craig crafted stories which describe and convey the values and character of this region and has shared his sense of place with audiences at conventions and gatherings in all 50 states. Craig also served as a member of the then-Southwest Missouri State University Board of Regents and on the Missouri Coordinating Board of Higher Education.
Busch will receive the Doctor of Public Affairs at the 5 p.m. commencement. Busch, the executive director of the Greene County Library District, has a long record of implementing innovative services which provide open access of information. Under her leadership, every branch in the system was renovated and expanded and the Library Center, which opened in 2003, received national recognition as a destination library. Busch also has served on numerous state and local advisory boards for civic betterment.
A total of 1,592 baccalaureate degrees, 458 master's degrees, 13 specialist degrees and 7 doctorate degrees will be conferred. Beyond the standard expectations, 144 students will be recognized for their work with a more rigorous curriculum in Missouri State's Honors College. Scholastic honors will be given to 108 students who will graduate summa cum laude (with a grade point average of 3.9-4.0 on a 4.0 scale), 113 who will graduate magna cum laude (with a GPA of 3.75-3.89) and 324 who will graduate cum laude (with a GPA of 3.4-3.74).
Russell and Sara Foster, father and daughter, will walk together at commencement this year.
After losing his job of over 20 years as a quality control manager, Russell decided to make a mid-life career change and return to school, something he hadn't experienced since he was 16-years-old.
Although pursuing a college degree meant moving away from Lamar, his hometown, it didn't mean leaving all of his family behind. His daughter, Sara, was enrolled as a traditional student at Missouri State. Father and daughter both chose to major in finance and general business.
Russell and Sara agree that their unique college experience was positive.
Along with the reduced costs of text books, the increase in available financial aid and the advantage of a study partner, Russell and Sara tout the many benefits of simultaneously pursuing degrees.
"I had several colleges to choose from," says Sara, "but I chose Missouri State because it was the best college for me. I learned later that my dad would be attending the same school. I didn't realize we had the same major until we were in the same class. What other student has their dad ask to see their notes from class that day? What other advantage would be better?"
Sara says having her dad in the same program gave him an exclusive parental perspective.
"Lots of students have support from their parents," says Sara, "but my dad supported me because he understood what I was experiencing."
Having family in the same class didn't always make college easier for the pair.
"The biggest difficulties were being away from my wife of 26 years and the financial strain," says Russell. "I am grateful to Missouri State and the College of Business Administration for the scholarships that allowed me to continue a life-long dream that I never thought would be possible."
As for results, Russell has been on the dean's list each semester and has been a member of several honor societies, which he hopes will help him achieve his goal of pursuing a career in insurance or risk management. Sara will pursue her master's of business administration at Missouri State. This time she'll have her dad's support from a distance.