Dozens of students from Marshfield and surrounding communities are celebrating a major milestone after earning degrees from Missouri State University this spring.
The university awarded 2,677 degrees during its spring 2026 commencement ceremonies on May 8 at Great Southern Bank Arena in Springfield. Graduates completed undergraduate, master's and doctoral programs across a wide range of fields.
Several local students also graduated with academic honors. Missouri State awards honors to students who complete at least 30 credit hours while maintaining a cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 or higher.
Among the graduates from Marshfield were Delilah Boggs, Bachelor of Science, magna cum laude in the Honors College; Spencer Brown, Bachelor of Science in Finance; Hayden Curley, Bachelor of Science in Construction Management; Jacqueline Fanatia, Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies and Psychology, cum laude; Avrey Fryman, Bachelor of Science in Psychology, cum laude; Macia Metz, Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology; Tiffany Replogle, Master of Science in Education, Secondary Education; Erin Roseen, Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Conservation and Management; Brittney Springer, Bachelor of Science in Education, Special Education/Cross Categorical; Elizabeth Whitehurst, Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics; Lauren Winegard, Master of Business Administration; Crystal Young, Bachelor of General Studies; and Dalton Young, Bachelor of Science in Education, English, summa cum laude.
Fordland graduates included Alex Pierson, Bachelor of Science in Education, Agriculture Education, magna cum laude; Buster Brown, Master of Business Administration; and Alyssa Gammill, Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
From Elkland, Tanner Lumley earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance, magna cum laude. Other graduates included Tanner Holloway, Bachelor of Science in English; Hayleigh Jackson, Bachelor of Science in Animal Science; John McCall, Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business; and Serenity Steimel, Bachelor of Science in Accounting.
Conway graduates included Luke Lafferty, Bachelor of Science in Marketing, cum laude, and Lakyn Vavruska, Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology.
Fair Grove students receiving degrees included Eunice Timoce, Bachelor of Science in Education, Elementary Education; Brooke Jochens, Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology; Dalton Kirk, Bachelor of Science in History; Michael Lincks, Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice; Bailee Morgan, Bachelor of Science in Sports Medicine; and Julie Titus, Master of Science in Counseling.
Niangua graduates included Margaret Groenke, Bachelor of Science in Sport and Recreation Administration, and Nikala Roseborough, Master of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice.
Seymour graduates included Robin Choate, Bachelor of Science in Education, Early Childhood Education, cum laude; Brandon Connelly, Bachelor of Science in Education, Elementary Education, summa cum laude; Kelsey Hickey, Bachelor of Science in Education, Special Education/Cross Categorical; Nathaniel Hosiner, Master of Arts in Teaching; Whitney Lahr, Bachelor of Science in Nursing; and Kayla Hinton, Bachelor of Science in Education, English, cum laude.
Rogersville students earning degrees included Ainsley Anderson, Morganne Aaron, Madelynn Jared, Emma Stegner, Brooke Wagner, Lauren Williams, Keagan Buscho, Carson Combs, Brittney Fears, Sophie Gregoroski, Shelley Henderson, Nicole Hetzel, Halle Miles, Addison Miller, Rachel Roerick, Savanna Schenck, Lindsey Shepard, Tristan Stark, Nicholas Swanigan and Hannah Watson. Their degrees included programs in education, biomedical sciences, business, nursing, agriculture, design, exercise science, computer science and natural resources, with many graduating with honors.
Strafford graduates included Kamryn Amstutz, Erin Barbieri, Anya Chernioglo, Bailey Chrisman, Dana Crisp, Dashawna Donaldson, Lillie Easterly, Kendall Gardner, Luke Garrison, Wan-Yi Hsu, Jackson Hunt, Dalyn Jacobus, Jaden Lohmeyer, Colton McAnally, Chloe Osman, Olivia Passeri, Chloe Reynaud, Lydia Termure, Lauren Falk and Landon Morse. Students earned degrees in fields ranging from education and business to psychology, mathematics, construction management, art and marketing, with several receiving academic honors.
Missouri State officials congratulated the Class of 2026 for reaching an important milestone and wished graduates success as they begin their careers or continue their education.
(Information provided by Missouri State University)
