Missouri State University will confer 481 degrees to students at its 2012 summer commencement. The ceremony will feature an address from Gabriel Gore, Missouri State University alumni and partner at the St. Louis law firm of Dowd Bennett LLP. The ceremony will begin at 1 p.m. Aug. 3 at JQH Arena.

A total of 291 bachelor’s degrees, 180 master’s degrees, seven specialist degrees and three doctorate degrees will be conferred. Beyond the standard expectations, 10 students will be recognized for their work with a more rigorous curriculum in Missouri State’s Honors College. Scholastic honors will be given to four students who will graduate summa cum laude (with a grade point average of 3.9-4.0 on a 4.0 scale), four who will graduate magna cum laude (with a GPA of 3.75-3.89) and 17 who will graduate cum laude (with a GPA of 3.5-3.74).

Gore graduated from Missouri State University with a Bachelor of Arts in political science in 1991 before going on to law school at The University of Chicago Law School. From 1995-99, Gore served as an assistant United States attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri, during which time he was responsible for enforcing the criminal laws of the United States.

After retiring from government service, Gore went in to private practice, representing Fortune 500 companies, business executives and high-ranking members of both the executive and legislative branches of government in a wide range of high-profile commercial litigation and government investigation matters.

In addition, he served as president of the St. Louis Public Library Board of Directors and founding chairman of the KIPP St. Louis Charter School and remains active on both boards. He also served as a mentor and tutor to at-risk, inner-city children.

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