‘Most famous’ alumnus returning to Drury

Barker, who accepted the school’s invitation late last week, also will receive an honorary degree recognizing his lifetime achievements.

Barker is host of “Price is Right,” the longest-running TV game show, now in its 35th year.

“He is the most famous graduate of Drury,” President John Sellars said in a news release, “and we look forward to welcoming him back to his college home and introducing him to students and faculty.”

Barker grew up on a South Dakota Indian reservation before graduating from Springfield’s Central High School in 1941.

Barker attended Drury on a basketball scholarship and graduated summa cum laude in 1947. His education was interrupted to serve in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

After a brief radio career in Springfield and California, he moved to TV, hosting “Truth or Consequences” from 1956–75. He debuted as host of what was then called “The New Price is Right” on Sept. 4, 1972.

In 50 years of continuous presence on TV, Barker has received 17 Emmy Awards and was inducted into the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame in 2004. In 1997, he became the oldest winner of an MTV Movie Award when he and Adam Sandler won the best fight award for their fisticuffs in “Happy Gilmore.”

Drury’s commencement ceremony is scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m. in Weiser Gymnasium. Tickets will be allocated to each graduate.