St. Joseph, Mo. —Missouri Western State University will confer its highest honor, an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters, on Dr. Mark Laney, CEO of Mosaic Life Care, during the Spring Commencement ceremony May 7.

Missouri Western’s Board of Governors unanimously approved the honor during their regular meeting Feb. 25.

“Since his arrival in the community seven years ago, Dr. Laney has been a remarkable champion for this university and community,” said Dr. Robert Vartabedian, Missouri Western’s president. “His contributions and service to Missouri Western are numerous: he and Mary-Margaret Laney have served with Dan and Dale Boulware as co-chairs of our Centennial Capital Campaign, and Mosaic has generously supported our science and health programs. He has also been a champion of our entire community, including his support of downtown revitalization by the relocation of Mosaic Life Care facilities there.”

Missouri Western’s Spring Commencement will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 7, in the newly renovated Spratt Memorial Stadium.