KY3 anchor to present C of O commencement address

Steve Grant, KY3 senior anchor and a spokesman for Ozarks Honor Flight, has agreed to present the College of the Ozarks commencement address May 13.

Grant has served since 2009 as a spokesman for Ozarks Honor Flight, a nonprofit organization that flies World War II veterans to Washington, D.C., free of charge to view war memorials and other commemorative sites.

“Not only has Steve served the Ozarks by reporting news that people want to know and need to know, he has taken a leadership role in promoting the Ozarks Honor Flight program, both widely admired in state and out of state,” C of O President Jerry Davis said in a news release. “The college shares this important effort to recognize those who have served our country and to educate younger generations about the service and sacrifice given by veterans.”

According to the release, Grant has completed more than 20,000 hours of on-camera reporting. He began anchoring and reporting for KY3, the local NBC affiliate, just after his 20th birthday.

He will deliver his commencement address, titled "Hard Work Beats Mere Talent," to 308 students receiving their bachelor's degrees.

The college also will present Grant with an honorary doctorate for public service during the commencement ceremony, which begins at 2 p.m. at the college's Keeter Gymnasium.