Northwest expands commencement format

Rodney Edge, left, and David Edwards

MARYVILLE, Mo. — Two Northwest Missouri State University alumni will address graduates and their families during spring commencement ceremonies on Friday, April 29, and Saturday, April 30.

For the first time in its history, Northwest will hold three separate graduation events, beginning with the conferral of master’s and education specialist degrees at 7 p.m. Friday, April 29, in the Ron Houston Center for the Performing Arts.

The University will honor bachelor’s degree candidates during traditional Saturday ceremonies in Bearcat Arena at 9 a.m. for graduates of the Booth College of Business and Professional Studies and 2 p.m. for graduates of the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Education and Human Services.

David Edwards, class of 1991, will deliver Friday’s commencement address. Rodney Edge, class of 1984, will speak during both ceremonies on Saturday.

Edwards is a vice president at Cerner Corp., a healthcare information technology company headquartered in Kansas City.

He joined Cerner 24 years ago and in 2008 was made a Cerner Fellow in recognition of his distinguished contributions, particularly in the field of software development.

Edwards holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Northwest, where he serves as a member of the Computer Science Professional Advisory Board.

Edge is a vice president at Automation Precision Technology LLC, a logistics firm specializing in business development.

Prior to joining APT in 2014, Edge spent more than 20 years in the U.S. Army, ending his military career as chief executive officer at Fort Lee, Virginia. He earlier served as a diplomatic advisor to senior Saudi Arabian officials and as a deputy division chief at the Pentagon.

Edge, who lives in Washington, D.C., holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial technology from Northwest, a master’s degree in business administration/management from Central Michigan University, and a second master’s in military national resource strategy and policy from the National Defense University’s Industrial College of the Armed Forces.

While at Northwest, Edge was a member of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps and a two-year captain of the track and field team, where he set a still-standing school record in the 55-meter hurdles.

“Our spring commencement ceremonies are a celebration of our students’ achievements, and we are so pleased to have two distinguished Bearcats … joining us to share their experiences and wisdom,” said Northwest President John Jasinski.

Doors at the Houston Center and Bearcat Arena will open to guests one hour prior to each ceremony. Shuttle service will be provided from parking lots 62 and 63 to both venues.

Northwest expects 879 students to receive degrees this spring. That count embraces 223 graduate degrees and 656 bachelor’s diplomas.

No tickets are necessary to attend, and the university will live-stream the ceremonies online at www.nwmissouri.edu/live.

Candidates for graduation can pick up caps and gowns at the Student Services Center on the first floor of the Administration Building from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, April 25, through Friday, April 29, or one hour prior to their ceremony on April 29 or April 30.

Complete commencement details are posted on the Senior Spot website at www.nwmissouri.edu/commencement.