Missouri State University will confer 1,589 degrees to students at its fall 2019 commencement. Two ceremonies will be held at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Dec. 13 at JQH Arena.

First ceremony

Students graduating from the College of Business and the College of Education will participate in the first ceremony. Missouri Sen. Lincoln Hough will receive the Government Excellence Award and speak.

Second ceremony

Students graduating from the College of Arts and Letters, College of Humanities and Public Affairs, College of Natural and Applied Sciences, McQueary College of Health and Human Services, William H. Darr College of Agriculture and interdisciplinary academic programs will participate in the second ceremony. Rep. Elijah Haahr, speaker of the Missouri House of Representatives, will receive the Government Excellence Award and speak.

Keep up with commencement

The Missouri State commencement hub features ceremony details for graduates, guests, and faculty and staff. You can also follow what is happening live with #BearGrads.

About the graduates

MSU will confer 1,192 bachelor’s degrees, 380 master’s degrees, 12 doctorate degrees and five specialist degrees.

Past the standard expectations, the university will recognize 22 students for their work with a more rigorous curriculum in Missouri State’s Honors College.

The university will also recognize students who will graduate with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or higher:

• 46 students who will graduate summa cum laude (with GPAs of 3.9-4.0 on a 4.0 scale)
• 71 who will graduate magna cum laude (with GPAs of 3.75-3.89)
• 171 who will graduate cum laude (with GPAs of 3.5-3.74)

Security procedures for guests

• All guests will be wanded upon entering JQH Arena. All bags will be inspected.
• Guests should not bring gifts, balloons, or any items that could be considered a type of weapon.

Security procedures for graduates

• All graduates will be wanded upon entering Hammons Student Center.
• Graduates should not bring bags, coats, umbrellas, cameras, purses or any other item.
• Graduates should not bring gifts, balloons, or any items that could be considered a type of weapon.

While Missouri State University’s May 2020 graduation ceremonies have been cancelled due to COVID-19, spring 2020 graduates can still participate in a traditional, in-person commencement ceremony.

Students who are set to graduate in May will have two opportunities to celebrate later this year at JQH Arena:

• Oct. 18, the Sunday after Homecoming.
• Dec. 11, during the scheduled fall ceremonies.

The Missouri State-West Plains campus will host commencement ceremonies Aug. 8 at the West Plains Civic Center.

“We’re doing this because a college graduation is one of the highlights of a student’s life,” Missouri State President Clif Smart said. “It means so much to them, to their families and to the faculty members who helped those students cross the finish line.”

MSU will announce ceremony times and procedures in the weeks ahead.

The university announced in March that it would not host graduation ceremonies in May due to the outbreak of COVID-19.

Missouri State University will confer 2,872 degrees to students for the spring 2020 semester.  

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, MSU will be unable to recognize its graduates at its previously scheduled May 15 spring commencement ceremonies. 

But that doesn’t mean commencement is canceled. 

Celebrate later this year 

Spring 2020 graduates have two opportunities to participate in commencement later this year at JQH Arena. 

• The first will be Oct. 18, the Sunday after #BearsHomecoming.  
• The second will be Dec. 11 at the scheduled fall ceremonies. 

More details about ceremony times and procedures will be released in the weeks ahead. 

About the graduates  

Missouri State will confer 2,168 bachelor’s degrees, 592 master’s degrees, 98 doctorate degrees and 14 specialist degrees.   

Past the standard expectations, the university will recognize 117 students for their work with a more rigorous curriculum in the Honors College.   

The university will also recognize students who will graduate with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or higher:  

• 202 students will graduate summa cum laude (with GPAs between 3.9-4.0 on a 4.0 scale)  
• 220 students will graduate magna cum laude (with GPAs between 3.75-3.89)  
• 398 students will graduate cum laude (with GPAs between 3.5-3.74) 

Missouri State University will award 1,568 degrees to students at its fall 2020 commencement. Ceremonies take place  at 9 a.m., 1 p.m., and 5 p.m. Dec. 11 at JQH Arena.

Each ceremony is capped at 500 graduates, and each graduate can invite up to 6 guests. These limits are based on JQH Arena capacity with current COVID-19 restrictions in place. Missouri State asks graduates to follow these rules so everyone has the chance to celebrate with their guests.

First ceremony

Students graduating from the College of Business and William H. Darr College of Agriculture will participate in the 9 a.m. ceremony. Robert and Marlese Gourley will receive the Bronze Bear Award.

Second ceremony

Students graduating from the Judith Enyeart Reynolds College of Arts & Letters, College of Education, and interdisciplinary academic programs will participate in the 1 p.m. ceremony. University President Clif Smart is the ceremony’s featured speaker.

Third ceremony

Finally, students graduating from the McQueary College of Health and Human Services, the College of Humanities and Public Affairs, and the College of Natural and Applied Sciences will participate in the 5 p.m. ceremony. Springfield Mayor Ken McClure will receive Missouri State’s Government Excellence Award and speak.

More about our #BearGrads

Missouri State will confer 1,142 bachelor’s degrees, 410 master’s degrees, 14 doctorate degrees and two specialist degrees.

The university will recognize 21 students for their work with a more rigorous curriculum in the school’s Honors College.

Missouri State will additionally recognize students graduating with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or higher:

• 72 students will graduate summa cum laude (with GPAs of 3.9-4.0 on a 4.0 scale).
• 84 students will graduate magna cum laude (with GPAs of 3.75-3.89).
• 210 students will graduate cum laude (with GPAs of 3.5-3.74).

Security procedures for guests

Guests are limited to six per graduate. This limit is based on the JQH Arena capacity with current COVID-19 restrictions in place.

All guests will be wanded upon entrance, and all bags will be inspected. Additionally, guests should not bring gifts, balloons, or any items that could be considered a weapon.

Security procedures for graduates

All students will be wanded upon entering Hammons Student Center. Graduates should not bring bags, coats, umbrellas, cameras, purses or any other item. They should also not bring gifts, balloons, or any items that could be considered a weapon.

Missouri State University will award 3,011 degrees to students at its spring 2021 commencement. Ceremonies will take place over two days.

• May 13:  2 p.m. and 6 p.m. in JQH Arena.
• May 14:  9 a.m., 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. in JQH Arena.

COVID-19 procedures

All ceremonies will be limited to 750 graduates. Each graduate can invite up to four guests. These limits are based on JQH Arena capacity with current COVID-19 restrictions in place.

No RSVPs or tickets are required.

All ceremonies will be livestreamed. Visit the spring 2021 commencement website for the link, which will be made available for both days.

May 13 ceremonies

First ceremony

Undergraduate students graduating from the College of Business will participate in the 2 p.m. ceremony.

Second ceremony

Undergraduate students graduating from the McQueary College of Health and Human Services and interdisciplinary academic programs will participate in the 6 p.m. ceremony.

May 14 ceremonies

First ceremony

Graduate students graduating from the McQueary College of Health and Human Services and all students from the Reynolds College of Arts and Letters will participate in the 9 a.m. ceremony.

Second ceremony

All students graduating from the College of Humanities and Public Affairs and the College of Natural and Applied Sciences, and graduate students from the interdisciplinary academic programs will participate in the 1 p.m. ceremony.

Third ceremony

All students graduating from the College of Education and the William H. Darr College of Agriculture, and graduate students from the College of Business will participate in the 5 p.m. ceremony.

About the #BearGrads

Missouri State will confer 2,170 bachelor’s degrees, 708 master’s degrees, 117 doctorate degrees and 16 specialist degrees.

The university will recognize 107 students for their work with a more rigorous curriculum in its Honors College.

Additionally, Missouri State will recognize students graduating with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or higher:

• 213 students will graduate summa cum laude (with GPAs of 3.9-4.0 on a 4.0 scale).
• 242 students will graduate magna cum laude (with GPAs of 3.75-3.89).
• 433 students will graduate cum laude (with GPAs of 3.5-3.74).

Security procedures for guests

All guests will be wanded upon entrance, and all bags will be inspected. Guests should not bring gifts, balloons or any items that could be considered a weapon.

Security procedures for graduates

All students will be wanded upon entering Hammons Student Center.

Graduates should not bring bags, coats, umbrellas, cameras, purses or any other item. They should also not bring gifts, balloons or any items that could be considered a weapon.

Visit the spring 2021 commencement website

Missouri State University will confer 1,505 degrees to students at its fall 2021 commencement. Two ceremonies will be held at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Dec. 17 at JQH Arena.

First ceremony

Students graduating from the College of Business and College of Education will participate in the first ceremony.

Clay Goddard, former director of the Springfield-Greene County Health Department, will serve as the commencement speaker at the 10 a.m. ceremony.

Goddard will receive the Government Excellence Award from Missouri State.

Second ceremony

Students graduating from McQueary College of Health and Human Services, Reynolds College of Arts and Letters, Darr College of Agriculture, College of Natural and Applied Sciences, College of Humanities and Public Affairs and interdisciplinary academic programs will participate in the second ceremony.

Missouri State will recognize the Reynolds family, longtime friends and supporters of the university, with the Bronze Bear Award at the 1:30 p.m. ceremony.

About the graduates

Missouri State will confer 1,095 bachelor’s degrees, 393 master’s degrees, 16 doctorate degrees and one specialist degree.

Past the standard expectations, the university will recognize 20 students for their work with a more rigorous curriculum in Missouri State’s Honors College.

The university will also recognize students who will graduate with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or higher:

• 77 students will graduate summa cum laude (with GPAs between 3.9-4.0 on a 4.0 scale).
• 78 students will graduate magna cum laude (with GPAs between 3.75-3.89).
• 185 students will graduate cum laude (with GPAs between 3.5-3.74).

Learn more about commencement

Missouri State University will award 2,880 degrees to students at its spring 2022 commencement. Three ceremonies will take place throughout the day, at 9 a.m., 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. May 20 at the Great Southern Bank Arena.

First ceremony

Students graduating from the Reynolds College of Arts and Letters, College of Education and College of Natural and Applied Sciences will participate in the first ceremony.

MSU Provost Dr. Frank Einhellig will be the featured speaker at this ceremony.

Second ceremony

Students graduating from the Darr College of Agriculture, College of Business and interdisciplinary academic programs will participate in the second ceremony.

Dr. Jim Baker, the university’s vice president for community & global partnerships, will address graduates at this ceremony.

Third ceremony

Students graduating from the McQueary College of Health and Human Services and College of Humanities and Public Affairs will participate in the third ceremony.

Crowder College President Dr. Glenn Coltharp will receive an honorary doctorate and speak at this ceremony.

About the graduates

Missouri State will confer 2,083 bachelor’s degrees, 663 master’s degrees, 110 doctorate degrees and 24 specialist degrees.

In addition, the university will recognize 62 students for their efforts toward a rigorous curriculum in Missouri State’s Honors College.

The university will also recognize students who will graduate with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or higher:

• 222 students will graduate summa cum laude (with GPAs between 3.9-4.0 on a 4.0 scale).
• 239 students will graduate magna cum laude (with GPAs between 3.75-3.89).
• 426 students will graduate cum laude (with GPAs between 3.5-3.74).

Learn more about commencement

Missouri State University will confer 1,521 degrees to students at its fall 2022 commencement. Two ceremonies will be held at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Dec. 16 at Great Southern Bank Arena. 

First ceremony 

The first ceremony will recognize students graduating from:  

• Darr College of Agriculture. 
• McQueary College of Health and Human Services. 
• Judith Enyeart Reynolds College of Arts and Letters. 
• College of Natural and Applied Sciences. 
• College of Humanities and Public Affairs. 
• Interdisciplinary Academic Programs. 

United States Sen. Roy Blunt will serve as the commencement speaker at the 10 a.m. ceremony. Blunt will receive the Bronze Bear Award from Missouri State.  

Second ceremony 

The second ceremony will recognize students graduating from:  

• College of Business. 
• College of Education. 

Missouri State Sen. Karla Eslinger will be the keynote speaker at the 1:30 p.m. ceremony. Eslinger will receive the Government Excellence Award from Missouri State.  

About the graduates 

Missouri State will confer 1,001 bachelor’s degrees, 505 master’s degrees, 14 doctorate degrees and one specialist degree. 

Past the standard expectations, the university will recognize 17 students for their work with a more rigorous curriculum in Missouri State’s Honors College. 

The university will also recognize students who will graduate with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or higher: 

• 74 students will graduate summa cum laude (with GPAs between 3.9-4.0 on a 4.0 scale). 
• 91 students will graduate magna cum laude (with GPAs between 3.75-3.89). 

• 176 students will graduate cum laude (with GPAs between 3.5-3.74). 

Learn more about commencement 

Missouri State University will confer 2,901 degrees to students at its spring 2023 commencement. Ceremonies will be held at 9 a.m., 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. May 19 at Great Southern Bank Arena. 

First ceremony 

The first ceremony will recognize students graduating from:  

• College of Humanities and Public Affairs. 
• McQueary College of Health and Human Services. 

Katie Towns, Springfield/Greene County health department director, will serve as the commencement speaker at the 9 a.m. ceremony.   

Second ceremony 

The second ceremony will recognize students graduating from:  

• Judith Enyeart Reynolds College of Arts and Letters. 
• College of Education. 
• College of Natural and Applied Sciences. 

Rodney Dillard, The Dillards lead singer, will speak at the 1 p.m. ceremony.  

Third ceremony 

The third ceremony will recognize students graduating from:  

• Darr College of Agriculture. 
• College of Business. 
• Interdisciplinary Academic Programs. 

Garrett Hawkins, Missouri Farm Bureau president, will address graduates at the 5 p.m. ceremony. 

About the graduates 

Missouri State will confer 1,986 bachelor’s degrees, 769 master’s degrees, 116 doctorate degrees and 30 specialist degrees. 

Past the standard expectations, the university will recognize 61 students for their work with a more rigorous curriculum in Missouri State’s Honors College. 

The university will also recognize students who will graduate with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or higher: 

• 221 students will graduate summa cum laude (with GPAs between 3.9-4.0 on a 4.0 scale). 
• 252 students will graduate magna cum laude (with GPAs between 3.75-3.89). 
• 380 students will graduate cum laude (with GPAs between 3.5-3.74). 

In addition, this commencement will recognize the first graduating class of mechanical engineering students taking courses in Springfield. Fifteen students will graduate from Missouri Science and Technology’s cooperative engineering program with Missouri State. 

Learn more about commencement 

Missouri State University will confer 1,399 degrees to students at its fall 2023 commencement. Two ceremonies will take place at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Dec. 15 at Great Southern Bank Arena. 

First ceremony

The first ceremony will recognize students graduating from: 

• College of Education. 
• McQueary College of Health and Human Services. 
• Judith Enyeart Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities. 

Alumnus and actor John Goodman will serve as the commencement speaker at this ceremony. Goodman will receive the Bronze Bear Award from Missouri State. 

Second ceremony

The second ceremony will recognize students graduating from: 

• College of Business. 
• College of Natural and Applied Sciences. 
• Darr College of Agriculture. 
• Interdisciplinary Academic Programs. 

Alumnus and St. Louis Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore will be the keynote speaker at this ceremony. Gore will receive the Government Excellence Award from Missouri State. 

About the graduates

Missouri State will confer 943 bachelor’s degrees, 443 master’s degrees, 10 doctorate degrees and three specialist degrees. 

Past the standard expectations, the university will recognize 25 students for their work with a more rigorous curriculum in Missouri State’s Honors College. 

The university will also recognize students who will graduate with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or higher: 

• 68 students will graduate summa cum laude (with GPAs between 3.9-4.0 on a 4.0 scale). 
• 83 students will graduate magna cum laude (with GPAs between 3.75-3.89). 
• 160 students will graduate cum laude (with GPAs between 3.5-3.74). 

Learn more about fall 2023 commencement