MSU adds John Goodman to mix in marketing campaign

One of Missouri State University’s most famous alumni is scheduled to appear in Springfield later this month.

MSU announced this morning that actor John Goodman, a 1975 theater graduate, will make the big reveal for the university’s “It’s On” marketing campaign, which culminates with an Oct. 26 event at Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts. Earlier this year, MSU began teasing the campaign and have since kept event details under wraps, with officials only saying it would be “transformational” for the school, Springfield Business Journal previously reported.

MSU spokesman Kevin Agee said Goodman isn’t being paid for his appearance at the event.

“He’s doing this for us out of the goodness of his heart and his love for MSU,” Agee said via email.

This morning’s announcement featured a video of Goodman walking on a stage before the Oct. 26 event is teased.

“For me, Missouri State is where it all started,” Goodman says in the 18-second video.

The event coincides with MSU’s homecoming. Food trucks, including Davalon and London Calling Pasty Co., are confirmed for the event, along with fireworks, according to MissouriState.edu.