Army budget director to keynote MSU commencement

The first female finance officer to achieve the rank of major general in the U.S. Army is scheduled to issue the keynote address for Missouri State University's fall commencement ceremony.

Karen Dyson, who earned her bachelor's degree in business administration from MSU, serves as director of the Army budget, responsible for formulating, submitting to Congress and executing the budgets for the military operation, according to a news release.

Dyson is slated to speak during the 12:30 p.m. ceremony on Dec. 13, featuring graduates from the colleges of arts and letters, health and human services, humanities and public affairs, William H. Darr School of Agriculture and global studies.

During the 4 p.m. ceremony for graduates of the colleges of business and education, former MSU President Arthur Mallory is slated to speak. The youngest president in the history of the university at age 31, Mallory served as the fifth leader of the school 1964-71, the release said. He also is the honoree for the 2013 Bronze Bear Award, given to individuals who have supported the university.

On Dec. 13, MSU will confer 1,379 degrees.