SPRINGFIELD -- A group of 11 Missouri State University student-athletes will receive their undergraduate degrees at summer commencement ceremonies at JQH Arena on Friday, Aug. 5.

Including December, May and August ceremonies, a total of 75 Missouri State student-athletes have now earned degrees during the 2010-11 academic year.  

For the fourth straight graduation ceremony, the MSU football team led the way with three undergraduate degrees conferred, while men's basketball had two, and six other programs had one apiece.

A year ago, nine student-athletes earned undergraduate or graduate degrees in the Summer 2010 ceremonies.  The top graduating classes on record for Missouri State athletics are: May 2006 (64), May 2004 (61), May 2009 (61), May 2005 (59), May 2007 (57), May 2008 (57).

A total of 560 degrees will be conferred by Missouri State during spring commencement ceremonies at 1 p.m. Friday. A total of 288 bachelor's degrees, 262 master's degrees, nine specialist degrees and one doctorate degree will be awarded. Beyond the standard expectations, eight students will be recognized for their work with a more rigorous curriculum in Missouri State's Honors College. Scholastic honors will be given to five students who will graduate summa cum laude (with a grade point average of 3.9-4.0 on a 4.0 scale), 11 who will graduate magna cum laude (with a GPA of 3.75-3.89) and 18 who will graduate cum laude (with a GPA of 3.5-3.74).

Undergraduate Degrees (11)

  • Men's Basketball
     Isaiah Rhine (Speech-Language Pathology)
     Nafis Ricks(Criminology)
  • Women's Basketball
     Jacque Griggs(Entertainment Management)
  • Football
     Byron Hightower, Jr. (International Business Administration)
     Adrian Taylor ((Exercise & Movement Science))
     Johnny Wacker(Administrative Management / Logistics & Supply Chain Management)
  • Women's Soccer
     Shannon Russell(Exercise & Movement Science)
  • Softball
     Christa Gammon(Advertising & Promotion)
  • Men's Swimming & Diving
     Andy Denefe(Exercise & Movement Science)
  • Women's Track & Field
     Renna Berry (Cell & Molecular Biology)
  • Volleyball
     Megan Bess (Exercise & Movement Science)