Office of University Communications 

Missouri State to confer 599 degrees during summer commencement

SPRINGFIELD — Nationally syndicated talk show host Jim Bohannon will give this year’s summer commencement address to the 599 Missouri State University students whose degrees will be conferred. Commencement is scheduled for 1 p.m. Aug. 1 at Hammons Student Center.

A total of 370 baccalaureate degrees, 225 master’s degrees and four specialist degrees will be conferred. Beyond the standard expectations, 48 students will be recognized for their work with a more rigorous curriculum in Missouri State’s Honors College. Scholastic honors will be given to six students who will graduate summa cum laude (with a grade point average of 3.9-4.0 on a 4.0 scale), nine who will graduate magna cum laude (with a GPA of 3.75-3.89) and 33 who will graduate cum laude (with a GPA of 3.4-3.74).

Bohannon, broadcast veteran and Missouri State alumnus, is heard on more than 500 radio stations nationwide, including KWTO 560-AM in Springfield. “The Jim Bohannon Show,” “America in the Morning” and “America This Week” are among his programming credits.

Bohannon has broadcast from Moscow, Paris, Tokyo and annually from the Ozark Empire Fair, as well as to astronauts in orbit who took calls from his audience. In 2003, Bohannon was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame. Bohannon is also the originator of the Freedom of Information Day observance each March 16, recognizing the importance of openness in government.