MVC To Confer 218 Degrees At Commencement May 6

Missouri Valley College will confer 218 degrees to students at its commencement ceremony at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 6 at Gregg-Mitchell Field on the MVC campus. The class of 2023 consists of 200 undergraduates and 18 students graduating from the College’s graduate programs.

The commencement speaker will be Dr. Joseph A. Parisi, president-elect at Missouri Valley College. Parisi will assume his new duties as 14th President this summer upon the retirement of Dr. Bonnie Humphrey.

Dr. Parisi is an MVC alumnus, and has a breadth of higher education experience, having served as Vice President for Enrollment Management at both Central Methodist University and Lindenwood University. Both schools broke enrollment records under his leadership. He has gained vast experience in athletics management, financial aid, and student development, and is an active fund-raiser and brand strategist.

In addition to his administrative roles, Dr. Parisi has served as a faculty member and has taught Education Leadership in Lindenwood’s doctoral program. Dr. Parisi completed his Bachelor of Science in Nonprofit Administration at Missouri Valley College in 1994. He obtained his Master of Science in Business Administration, Nonprofit Administration in 1996 and his Doctor of Education in Instructional Leadership in 2011, both from Lindenwood University.

Elizabeth Bellamy, 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 College will livestream the commencement ceremony on the Viking Sports Network. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved to the Burns Athletic Center.