Northwest Missouri State University alumnus and Missouri Sen. Brad Lager will address Northwest graduates and their families during the University’s spring commencement ceremonies Saturday, May 3.

“As an alumnus and state senator, Brad has been a supporter of Northwest and the spectrum of public education,” Northwest President Dr. John Jasinski said. “He is a dedicated servant to the needs of Missouri’s citizenry, and we are pleased to have him addressing our graduates and their families this spring.”

Northwest will honor degree recipients of the graduate school and the Melvin D. and Valorie G. Booth College of Business and Professional Studies during a ceremony at 10 a.m. Degree recipients of the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Education and Human Services will be honored during a 2 p.m. ceremony.

Lager, a 1997 Northwest alumnus, began his career in public service in 2001 when he was elected to the Maryville City Council, then the city’s youngest member to serve on the board. From 2002 to 2006, he served as the 4th District representative in the Missouri House and served on several House committees. In 2006, Lager was elected to represent the 16 counties in the 12th Senatorial District.

He currently serves as chair of the Senate Committee for Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment. He also serves as vice-chair of the Senate Governmental Accountability Committee, Select Committee on Redistricting and the Senate Interim Committee on Natural Disaster Recovery. In addition to serving in the General Assembly, he is a small business owner who has a passion for entrepreneurship.

Lager was born in Maryville and is a lifelong resident of northwest Missouri. He graduated from Northeast Nodaway High School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in computer management systems from Northwest. He currently resides with his wife and two children near Savannah.
More than 660 students are expected to graduate during Northwest’s spring commencement ceremonies. More than 520 students from Northwest’s three colleges will receive bachelor’s degrees. Additionally, more than 140 more candidates are expected to receive master’s degrees, education specialist degrees or certifications through the University’s graduate school.

The general public can watch the ceremonies live via an online video stream at www.nwmissouri.edu/live.