MO Supreme Court justice to keynote Drury graduation

The chief justice of the Supreme Court of Missouri is the scheduled speaker for Drury University's commencement ceremony.

Mary Russell is slated to keynote the graduation Dec. 14 at Drury's O'Reilly Family Event Center. During the ceremony, 336 students will receive undergraduate degrees and 71 will pick up their master's degrees, according to a news release.

Russell has served as chief justice since July and on the Supreme Court of Missouri since 2004. She also worked as chief judge of the Missouri Court of Appeals' Eastern Division 1999-2000 and was a private practice attorney in Hannibal.

"Our graduates will have a wonderful opportunity to hear from one of the great leaders of Missouri. She epitomizes the qualities that we hope all Drury graduates will emulate – outstanding professional contributions, abiding commitment to her family and faith, and a singular dedication to her community," Drury President David Manuel said in the release.