Dr. Mark Mills, biology

The Winter Commencement ceremony for approximately 320 graduates of Missouri Western State University will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 16 in the arena of the M.O. Looney Complex. The commencement speaker will be Dr. Mark Mills, associate professor of biology.

The MWSU Alumni Association will host a free reception for graduates and their families after the ceremony in the Looney Small Gym. The ceremony is free and open to the public. For those unable to attend, it will be streamed live online at griff.vn/wngrad17.

Other commencement-related activities include:

International Student Farewell & Sash Ceremony, 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15, Enright Community Room, Spratt 214-216

Graduating international students will be presented with a sash from their country of citizenship as a gift from Missouri Western.

Graduate Hooding Ceremony, 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15, Fulkerson Center

Students receiving their master’s degrees will receive their academic hoods in a special ceremony. The hooding ceremony will be streamed live at griff.vn/wnmaster17.

Nursing Pinning Ceremony, 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, Fulkerson Center

Nursing graduates will receive pins symbolic of their chosen profession. The pinning ceremony will be streamed live at griff.vn/wnpin17.

Missouri Western anticipates 285 undergraduates and 35 graduate students to earn their degree this semester.

Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.