Blunt to keynote OTC commencement

U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., is slated to deliver the spring commencement address for Ozarks Technical Community College.

The ceremony is scheduled May 16 at Missouri State University's JQH Arena, according to a news release.

“As a former university president, Blunt understands the significance of the commencement ceremony as a celebration of our students’ achievements,” OTC Chancellor Hal Higdon said in the release, referring to Blunt's time as president of Southwest Baptist University. “We are honored to have Blunt as our speaker this year, and we look forward to hearing his words of encouragement and advice for our graduates.”

Elected to the U.S. Senate in 2010, Blunt was chosen to serve as vice chairman of the Senate Republican Conference. He also is a member of the Senate Republic Whip Team; the Senate Appropriations Committee; the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee; the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence; and the Senate Rules Committee.

Blunt was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives seven times between 1996 and 2008, and he served as House Majority Whip and Republican Whip three times, as well as Majority Whip, according to his website.