Missouri State University will grant its 21st honorary doctorate to Sara Lampe. The Doctor of Public Affairs (A.P.D.) degree will be conferred upon her during May commencement ceremonies.
The nominations were approved today (Dec. 15) by the Missouri State University Board of Governors following recommendations from the Faculty Senate and President Clif Smart.
Lampe’s leadership and service for children
Lampe is a life-long educator and advocate for children and families. She currently serves as deputy director of Care to Learn, a local nonprofit organization that provides for students’ and families’ emergent needs in the areas of health, hunger and hygiene so children can be successful in school.
She is a co-creator of the WINGS program for gifted and talented students in Springfield Public Schools and has consulted nationally with school districts interested in creating responsive and thinking classrooms.
In 2013, Governor Jay Nixon appointed Lampe to the Missouri Commission on Human Rights, which she currently chairs. The commission’s goal is to eliminate discrimination through the enforcement of the Missouri Human Rights Act and prevent social inequality through education and outreach.
Lampe was honored with a 2010 Evelyn Wasserstrom Award for “commitment to causes of freedom and justice for minorities and oppressed people.”
Legislative service
From 2005-13, Lampe served in the Missouri General Assembly. During that time, she:
- Held leadership roles on the Budget; Appropriations – Education, Children and Families; Elementary and Secondary Education; and Utilities committees
- Sponsored or co-sponsored over 600 bills, mostly focused on helping children succeed
- Was instrumental in obtaining the name change to Missouri State University
“Sara Lampe is truly a Missouri humanitarian and epitomizes the qualities we seek for the Honorary Doctor of Public Affairs degree,” said Dr. Cynthia Hail, selection committee chair. “Her long list of service to this state and the Springfield area, in particular, is exemplary. This honor is well deserved and Missouri State University is proud to have the opportunity to recognize her contributions.”
About the honorary doctorate
The first Missouri State University honorary doctorate was awarded in 2003. The purpose of the award is to recognize extraordinary achievements by distinguished citizens in hope of encouraging others.
Previous recipients are Shawn Askinosie, Calvin Allen, Harold Bengsch, Dr. John Bentley, Sister Lorraine Biebel, Annie Busch, Jim Craig, Elise Crain, Nancy Brown Dornan, John Goodman, David Harrison, Jan Horton, Gordon McCann, Dr. Bert Park, Pattie Penny, John Rush, Dr. Sue Savage-Rumbaugh, Tom Strong, James Tatum and Pat Walker.
A.P.D. degrees are granted in recognition of the recipient’s extraordinary achievements in the area of public affairs.