John Carr, Northwest Missouri State University’s 2020 recipient of the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Education, will address the University’s graduates and their families during its winter commencement ceremonies Friday, Dec. 13.

“John is innovative, dedicated and respected in the field of emergency and disaster management as well as by his teaching colleagues across the institution and throughout the country,” Northwest President Dr. John Jasinski said. “We take pride in the work of our faculty. John, as our Governor’s Award for Excellence in Education recipient, shines brightly, and we look forward to having him share his thoughts with our graduates-to-be and their loved ones.”

Carr, an instructor in the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences and the coordinator of Northwest’s emergency and disaster management program, joined the University’s faculty in 2015. Respected by faculty and students for his teaching methodologies, work ethic and the time he invests with students outside of class, Carr works to create the next generation of emergency managers, first responders and humanitarians.

In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Carr serves as exercise director for Missouri Hope, an annual full-scale disaster training exercise that has grown into the largest of its kind in the region. The exercise brings together students, faculty and partner agencies from throughout the country, providing Northwest students firsthand experience in disaster response operations.

Additionally, Carr serves as executive director of the Consortium for Humanitarian Service and Education, a non-profit focused on promoting immersive simulation exercises to college students in the fields of emergency management, nursing, homeland security and humanitarian relief. Carr also serves with the Maryville Public Safety’s fire division, the Boy Scouts of America, American Red Cross and supports other emergency management initiatives in northwest Missouri.

Carr, who is pursuing a doctor of science from Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, Alabama, has a master’s degree in emergency management from North Dakota State University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Northwest. His research interests include citizen engagement in emergency management processes, Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs), simulation design and emergency management in higher education.

Northwest will host its winter commencement ceremonies at 10 a.m. Dec. 13 for bachelor’s degree candidates representing the School of Agricultural Sciences, the Melvin D. and Valorie G. Booth School of Business and Professional Studies, the School of Education and the School of Health Science and Wellness. A 2 p.m. ceremony will celebrate all master’s degree candidates as well as degree candidates representing the College of Arts and Sciences and the schools of Computer Science and Information Systems and Communication and Mass Media. Both ceremonies are in Bearcat Arena.

Doors will open to guests one hour prior to each ceremony. Shuttle services will be provided from parking lots 62 and 63 to the Lamkin Activity Center circle drive.

More than 250 students are expected to receive master’s or specialist degrees through the University’s graduate school. About 400 undergraduate students from Northwest’s College of Arts and Sciences and six professional schools are expected to receive bachelor’s degrees.

No tickets are necessary to attend either ceremony. To accommodate guests who cannot attend, Northwest will offer a live online stream of the ceremonies at www.nwmissouri.edu/live.   

Graduates along with their families and friends also are invited to interact with Northwest’s social media before, during and after the commencement ceremonies. Users may share their graduation memories on Twitter by using the hashtag #NWGrad.

Candidates for graduation may pick up caps and gowns on the first floor of the Administration Building from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9, through Thursday, Dec. 12, or one hour before each ceremony in the Student Recreation Center.

Complete details about commencement at Northwest are posted at www.nwmissouri.edu/graduation.