Congratulations to the more than 6,000 Mizzou students who graduated last weekend. Among the commencement ceremonies, we also recognized two distinguished alumni who were conferred honorary doctorate degrees: Dr. Kristy Weber and Ed Rapp.

• Dr. Kristy Weber – After graduating from Mizzou in 1987 with a degree in animal sciences, she attended medical school at Johns Hopkins University and was a fellow at the Mayo Clinic. Her research into sarcoma, a rare cancer that accounts for around 1% of new cancer diagnoses, has profoundly impacted the field. Dr. Weber was the first woman elected president of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and is a professor and director of the Sarcoma Program at Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center.

• Ed Rapp – He was a first-generation MU student from Pilot Grove, Mo. and graduated in 1979 with a degree in business administration with an emphasis in finance. He went on to become group president and CFO of Caterpillar, Inc., a $60 billion company. After being diagnosed with ALS in 2015, Mr. Rapp founded Stay Strong vs. ALS to improve the lives of those impacted by the disease and to help find a cure. He is a longtime supporter of rural students through our Heartland Scholars Academy.

An honorary degree is the highest form of recognition offered by the university to individuals of exceptional distinction. For new Mizzou grads, Dr. Weber and Mr. Rapp offer great examples of alumni achievement and leadership.

— Mun