WEST PLAINS, Mo. – A total of 315 students will be candidates for graduation from Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) during the 2026 commencement ceremony Saturday, May 9, at the West Plains Civic Center.
This includes 282 students who are eligible for associate degrees and 33 who are eligible for certificates.
In addition, 101 students will be candidates for graduation from Missouri State University-Springfield. Several graduate and undergraduate programs are available at the West Plains campus through the Missouri State Outreach program. Two students will be receiving their specialist degrees, 20 receiving their master’s degrees, and 79 will receive their bachelor’s degrees.
The ceremony will take place at 2 p.m. in the civic center arena. It also will be livestreamed. Visit WP.MissouriState.edu/Commencement to access the livestream link the afternoon of the event.
Missouri Senator will serve as commencement speaker
Hudson took the oath of office Jan. 8, 2025, and represents Missouri’s 33rd Senatorial District. He serves on the Career and Technical Education Advisory Council and the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Board. He previously served in the Missouri House of Representatives from 2019 to 2025.
In addition to his legislative duties, Hudson is the pastor of Blessing Heights Worship Center. Before being elected to the legislature, he served as Stone County assessor from 2009 to 2018.
Hudson is a member and past president of the Rotary Club of Table Rock Lake and a past president of the Southwest Missouri Assessors Association. He also served for several years as coordinator of the Stone County National Day of Prayer.
