Higher education commissioner to keynote OTC commencement

Missouri Commissioner of Higher Education David Russell has signed on to give the commencement address at Ozark Technical Community College's May graduation ceremony.

“Russell’s experience in higher education makes him an ideal speaker for commencement, an event designed to honor the success of our students,” OTC Chancellor Hal Higdon said in a news release. “We look forward to hearing what he will share with our graduates as they begin the next chapter of their lives.”

Russell became the state's commissioner of higher education in July 2010, following 19 years at the University of Missouri, where he served as senior associate vice president and chief of staff. Prior to joining Mizzou, Russell had a 22-year career in the U.S. Army, including infantry, personnel management and public affairs assignments, before retiring in 1991 as a lieutenant colonel.

The commencement ceremony is scheduled 6 p.m. May 17 at JQH Arena on the Missouri State University campus.

OTC began its spring semester with 14,149 students, including 9,465 at its Springfield campus, according to a separate news release.