The commencement speaker is a special guest who will be introduced at the ceremony.

Dr. Cynthia Bice, vice president of academic affairs, will present two students with the Charles L. Bacon Distinguished Service Award. The awards are given annually to a senior man and woman. The awards are voted on by the senior class.

The Missouri Valley College ceremony will be livestreamed on the Viking Sports Network. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved to the Burns Athletic Center.

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The event culminates with the presentation of four $500 scholarships to the Excellence in Student Research Winners. They are:

Best Poster: Ellie Gutcher for “Does Alcohol Use and Sleep Quality Impact Stress Levels Among College Students”

Best Presentation: Lexi Leeper for “The Long-Term Health Consequences of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the Role of Trauma Informed Nursing Care”

Best Creative Works: Azul V. Hernandex for “Ofrenda” & ‘Hearts and Brains”

Best Graduate Research: Julia Vidallon for “Healing Through IFS and Empty Chair Technique”

“The Symposium was incredible,” said President Joe Parisi. “Kudos to all of our students who worked so hard to prepare. And I can’t say enough about the staff and volunteers who made it happen.”

Daniel Palomares Domingo received the People’s Choice Award for “Creating a Winning Identity: A Comprehensive Game Model for Collegiate Soccer”

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“This is such an exciting time on campus,” said Jen Livengood, Associate Professor of Psychology and co-chair of the Student Research Symposium Committee. “The students are buzzing with energy and anticipation to share the work that they’ve been creating all semester. We’re so thankful for the support that our campus community always shows them at the symposium!”

The four top student presenters will receive $500 scholarships, a tradition established by President Joe Parisi.

The Student Research Symposium is sponsored by the Missouri Valley College Office of Academic Affairs, the MVC Office of the President, Alpha Chi, the School of Business and Technology, the School of Arts and Humanities, the School of Education, the MVC Honors Program, the MACC Program, the School of Science and Agriculture, the MVC Libraries, and the School of Nursing and Health Sciences.

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The agreement, signed this month by the dean of the MU School of Law and MVC Vice President for Academic Affairs Cynthia Bice, allows qualified Missouri Valley Honors students to be considered for admission to the School of Law’s 3+3 program, finishing their undergraduate degree while they complete their first year of law school.

“At Missouri Valley, we envision and create pathways with intention to align our students’ ambition with opportunities, allowing them to move faster, further, and with purpose,” Bice said.

MU Law will consider qualified MVC Honors applicants with at least 60 hours of credit. They will have to complete at least 90 credit hours of undergraduate study prior to entering the School of Law.

According to the agreement, after completing the first year of law school the student will be allowed to participate in commencement at Missouri Valley College.

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His presentation is titled “Resumes Are Weird” How to Make Yours Work. He will focus his workshop on resources available to get hired fast in the real world.

If you’ve ever felt unsure how to describe your experience, been frustrated by sending applications and hearing nothing back, or wondered whether your resume is effective, this workshop is for you. All are welcome.

If you’re open to it, send your resume ahead to hello@woodardweb.com and “we’ll take a look at it together (in front of everybody-yikes) during this live session.”

Woodard was born less than a mile from Missouri Valley College.

Since that time, he’s traveled or worked in over 70 countries and served more than 25 years at the White House, on Capitol Hill, in the U.S. State Department, and at the Smithsonian Institution. Eric has designed and led internship programs across the full spectrum of the working world – from government and business to nonprofits, higher education, cultural institutions, and international organizations. He’s written several books about internships and conducted extensive research on the nature of internships that develop soft skills.

Over the course of his career, he’s helped professionals at every level – presidents and princes, senators and scientists, deans and diplomats, and leaders across business, technology, and government – navigate challenges and create meaningful paths forward. Today he is the CEO of Win at Work, a high-performance career and leadership coaching practice that helps people break through barriers in their work and life so they may better serve a world in need.

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The welcome and introductions each day begin at 8:45 a.m.

This year’s speakers include: V. Gina Tocco, senior partner at the Law Offices of Tocco, Connelly & Associates; Israel Natividad, Consulting Operations Analyst with John Dee Warwick Pty, Ltd; Jarrod Sanderson ‘04, CEO of The Way Home; Simon Siebert and Dr. Sean Siebert, Director of AI and Founder of 50 By Friday AI; Darci Ward ‘01, Founder and CEO of DK Dance Productions LLC, Ward Enterprises, Inc., Allstar Fieldhouse LLC, Dancer’s Closet, and Spotlight by DK Dance Productions; and Phil Kassel ‘00, Founder/CEO of 365 Grit.

The Maastricht Institute is named after the city of Maastricht, The Netherlands, and is an outgrowth of experiences and friendships among residents of Maastricht and several cities in the United States.

The goal of the Maastricht Institute is to foster an atmosphere of receptiveness and creativity toward comparative entrepreneurial processes. The Institute compares and contrasts the entrepreneurial business environment within the United States with that of other countries, highlighting domestic and international philosophies.

The Institute’s format includes lectures, seminars, and roundtable discussions.

For additional information on the 18th annual Maastricht Institute of Entrepreneurship, please contact Institute Director and Dean of the School of Business and Technology Milena Simic at simicm@moval.edu.

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Other MVC participants included psychology major James Phillips, president of MVC’s Sigma Nu chapter of Sigma Tau Delta; Senior English major Toni Randle; junior special education major Kaya Gorrow, chapter treasurer; and chapter advisor Claire Schmidt, discussant for two student sessions.

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Hosted at the Missouri State Capital, the event featured a dynamic lineup of speakers, including Governor Mike Kehoe, state legislators, entrepreneurs, and nonprofit leaders, who shared their experiences, wisdom, and insights with the next generation of leaders.

The weekend also offered ample networking opportunities, where students engaged in meaningful conversations with the speakers and one another, exchanging ideas and forming connections that may serve them throughout their personal and professional journeys.

“We talked a lot about servant leadership,” said Kruger, a senior from Berlin, Germany, “and building connections on a personal level.”

The 2026 Missouri Governor’s Student Leadership Forum equipped students with the tools, resources, and motivation to become the next generation of leaders in Missouri and beyond. As students left the forum, they were empowered to take what they had learned and apply it to their communities, schools, and personal lives.

The event began in 1988 under the leadership of former Missouri Governor and 79^th U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft.

For more information about the Missouri Governor’s Student Leadership Forum and upcoming events, visit www.missourigslf.com, call 573-691-7572 or e-mail jaclyn@mogslf.org

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The award was presented by President Joe Parisi ’94. Parisi said the Fletchers exemplify servant leadership, calling them “Valley Legends, who have made extraordinary sacrifices for the college over the decades.”

Parisi said the medallion recognizes excellence, extraordinary service, and sacrifice.

“They’ve given generously of their time, expertise and financial resources,” Parisi said. “Their contributions have made a strong positive impact on the campus for the betterment of our students, faculty and staff.”

The Fletchers are also key figures in the Marshall community, employing hundreds of people over the years at Fletcher Grain Company and later Central Missouri Agri Service (CMAS). John has spent much of his life in the family business, while Trish, who serves as vice chair of the Missouri Valley College Board of Trustees, had a career in education.

“Trish and I would like to express our deepest gratitude for being awarded the President’s Medallion,” John said. “This honor is truly meaningful to us. While the contributions that earned this recognition were primarily driven by Trish’s efforts and those of my father before her, I am truly humbled to be included alongside them.”

The couple raised four children and have not only been steadily involved in shaping the future of Missouri Valley College, but also Marshall. John served on the city council, chaired the 911 call center, and led the effort to build Marshall’s city office building.

This is the third year the President’s Medallion has been awarded. Last year’s recipients were Ron ’64 and Mary Lou ’64 Porter. The first recipients were Donna ’55 and the late John Huston.

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Construction has begun in MVC’s Ferguson Center to accommodate the restaurant, said President Joe Parisi. The venue will be open to Missouri Valley’s students and the community after the students return to campus on January 21.

Known for its freshly prepared burritos, bowls, and hand-smashed guacamole and signature three-cheese queso, QDOBA will offer students and guests a variety of Mexican-inspired foods, including its own signature dishes. Parisi said a base meal at QDOBA will be included as part of the MVC student meal exchange program.

“We are thrilled to have QDOBA on the campus at MVC,” Parisi said. “The students are going to love this new opportunity for meals.”

QDOBA will be open from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. daily, and anyone may go to the restaurant at that time. However, students will be allowed to use their meal exchange at QDOBA only during the hours the dining hall is open.

As a reminder to students, the exchange is only for a basic beef, chicken, or veggie bowl or burrito. Any add-ons or other choices will have to be paid for with Valley bucks or cash or card.

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Parisi said the college established the award to honor partners whose leadership, generosity, and sustained commitment strengthen both the college and the broader community.

“This award recognizes organizations that demonstrate exceptional civic engagement, invest meaningfully in initiatives that enhance the quality of life in our region, and exemplify the values of integrity, service, and collaboration,” Parisi said.

“I can think of no one better than Wood & Huston for this award. Their longstanding support of Missouri Valley College, deep community involvement, and enduring dedication to the success of Marshall and the surrounding area embody the very spirit of the award,” he said.

Wood & Huston is celebrating 151 years of service to the area. Over the years, Wood & Huston has expanded into the Missouri communities of Cape Girardeau, Higginsville, Jackson, Sedalia, Springfield and West Plains.

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