Officials at Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) are seeking nominations for an honorary associate’s degree.

The degree will be awarded at the 2026 commencement ceremony at 2 p.m. May 9.

It is designed to recognize and honor exceptional men and women who have given a substantial part of their lives to serving others and/or who have distinguished themselves.

Conferral of the degree also establishes a public association between MSU-WP and such exceptional men and women, thereby providing testimony to the values and quality of two-year institutions, university officials explained.

Previous recipients include:

• Kennoth G. Gammill, Honorary Associate of Applied Science Degree, 2011.
• Paul Childers, Honorary Associate of Applied Science Degree, 2012.
• Edith Williams, Honorary Associate of Arts Degree, 2013.
• Peggy Kissinger, Honorary Associate of Arts Degree, 2014.
• Linda Moore, Honorary Associate of Applied Science Degree, 2015.
• Laurel Thompson, Honorary Associate of Science Degree, 2016.
• Terry “Bo” Pace, Honorary Associate of Applied Science Degree, 2017.
• Jack McNevin, Honorary Associate of Applied Science Degree, 2018.
• Clarence “Porky” Barber, Honorary Associate of Applied Science Degree, 2019.
• Mark Collins, Honorary Associate of Applied Science Degree, 2020.
• Mike Ennis, Honorary Associate of Applied Science Degree, 2022.
• Robert Louis “Lou” Wehmer, Honorary Associate of Arts Degree, 2023.
• Margaret Keister, Honorary Associate of Arts Degree, 2024.
• Crockett W. Oaks Jr., Honorary Associate of Arts Degree, 2025.

Nomination requirements

Members of the community, as well as the university’s Administrative Council, Faculty Senate and Staff Senate, are invited to nominate recipients for an honorary degree.

The degree granted may be the Honorary Associate of Arts Degree, the Honorary Associate of Applied Science Degree or the Honorary Associate of Science Degree.

Recipients may be alumni, former university employees, former Board of Governors members or public officials, but they may not be, at the time of the award, current employees, incumbent members of the Board of Governors or incumbent officials of federal, state or local government.

Other criteria to be considered include a nominee’s:

• Eminent contribution to the college, the system, the community, the state or society;
• Eminent achievement in a particular field or endeavor;
• Personal status that will enhance the reputation of the college or system and serve as an example to its students and alumni;
• Potential for contribution to the goals or welfare of the college.

The deadline for submitting nominations for the 2026 honorary degree is Friday, March 13.

“This will be the 15th honorary degree we have awarded to a person who has made a meaningful impact on our campus and the communities we serve,” said MSU-WP Chancellor Zora Mulligan. “The recipient will join 14 others who exemplify an outstanding work ethic and a deep commitment to service.”

For more information about the award and nomination procedures, call the Missouri State-West Plains chancellor’s office at 417-255-7800.

To download a nomination form, visit WP.MissouriState.edu/Honor-Nomination.

Completed nomination forms may be delivered to the chancellor’s office on the second floor of Kellett Hall, 905 W. Main St., in West Plains or sent by email to WPChancellor@MissouriState.edu.

To learn more about past recipients, visit WP.MissouriState.edu/HonoraryDegree.