During his Dec. 18 commencement address, U.S. Sen. Kit Bond told University of Missouri Rolla (UMR) graduates that they are society’s problem-solvers. He thanked them for the contributions they will make to every sector of the economy, particularly to our nation’s defense systems. Bond also received an honorary engineering degree from UMR.

Jerry Bayless of Rolla, Mo., associate dean of the School of Engineering at the University of Missouri-Rolla and a 45-year member of the UMR faculty, was awarded the University of Missouri-Rolla Chancellor Medal during UMR’s commencement ceremonies Saturday, Dec. 18.

Dr. Farouk El-Baz of Boston, research professor and director of the Center for Remote Sensing at Boston University and a graduate of the University of Missouri-Rolla, received an honorary degree from UMR during winter commencement ceremonies held Saturday, Dec. 18, on the UMR campus.

Dr. Richard K. Brow, chair of materials science and engineering at the University of Missouri-Rolla, was named Curators’ Professor of ceramic engineering during UMR commencement ceremonies Saturday, Dec. 18.

Dr. Abdeldjelil "D.J." Belarbi, professor of civil engineering at the University of Missouri-Rolla, was named a Distinguished Teaching Professor during UMR commencement ceremonies Saturday, Dec. 18.

The University of Missouri-Rolla’s winter commencement will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, in UMR’s Gale Bullman Multi-Purpose Building, 10th Street and Bishop Avenue. U.S. Sen. Christopher S. "Kit" Bond will deliver the commencement address and receive an honorary degree from UMR.