Missouri’s 33rd District State Sen. Brad Hudson served as the commencement speaker for the
Missouri State University-West Plains graduation ceremony Saturday.
“Today marks an ending, but far more importantly it marks a beginning. You are stepping out of
a structured chapter of your life and into one that is far less predictable, far less scripted, and
infinitely more meaningful,” Hudson told graduates.
“At the center of that new chapter is something both powerful and fragile – freedom. Freedom is
often spoken of as if it was permanent, automatic, or guaranteed, but it is none of those things.
Freedom and liberty are precious gifts, hard won, easily taken for granted, and always require
care,” he added.
According to university officials, 282 students earned associate degrees and 33 were awarded certificates. An additional 101 graduates received degrees from Missouri State University-
Springfield through the MSU Outreach program on the West Plains campus.
During the ceremony, Carol Silvey was presented the Granvil Vaughan Founder’s Award.
Named for the late state representative who founded the West Plains campus, the award is
given annually to an individual who has made “a significant impact on the mission of MSU-WP.”
Silvey was employed at the university for 38 years, including 15 years as director of
development. She has also served as vice president of advancement for the Community
Foundation of the Ozarks and the Ozarks Medical Center Foundation, now known as the Ozarks
Healthcare Foundation. She remains a supporter of the campus through fundraising for local
scholarships, programs and facilities.
Retired Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Lionel Daugherty was honored with an honorary
Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice. The degree is awarded annually to individuals who have
dedicated their lives to public service.
Daugherty, who served in Troop G for 30 years with assignments in Thayer, Gainesville and
Willow Springs, was unable to attend the ceremony. His daughters, Dr. Caron Daugherty
Mitchell and Casey Daugherty, accepted the degree on his behalf.
A recipient of the Red Cross Merit Recognition award for saving a life, Daugherty also served as
a police dispatcher for the Ava Police Department following his retirement from the patrol.
