Governor Nixon to speak at Ozarks Technical Community College commencement ceremony

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon will present the commencement address at Ozarks Technical Community College’s annual ceremony, to be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 19, at JQH Arena on the Missouri State University campus.  In addition to all graduates and their families, the public is invited to attend the ceremony.

“We are honored to have Gov. Nixon present our commencement address this year,” says Dr. Hal Higdon, president of Ozarks Technical Community College.  “He has not only been an advocate for community colleges, but has also been a supporter of OTC, making a total of five visits to our various locations during his time as governor.  We look forward to what will no doubt be inspiring words for our graduates.”

Elected in November of 2008, Gov. Nixon has worked to make education a priority during his time in office.  Under his leadership, the legislature passed Caring for Missourians, an initiative that will enable Missouri’s public colleges and universities to graduate an additional 900 professionals in high-demand health care fields each year.  He has also presented plans to expand Missouri’s A+ scholarship program, worked toward budget stability with higher education leaders, and created the Training for Tomorrow grant program, providing additional funding for vital programs at Missouri community colleges.

Gov. Nixon earned both his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Missouri-Columbia before returning to his hometown of DeSoto, Mo., to practice as an attorney.  In 1986, he was elected to his first term in the Missouri State Senate, where he would represent the people of Jefferson County for six years.  Governor Nixon and his wife, Georganne Wheeler Nixon, have two sons, Jeremiah and Willson.