Central Methodist University will soon celebrate hundreds of its most recent graduates across multiple campuses and online learning, starting with the Spring Commencement ceremony for Fayette on May 11. The event will take place at 2 p.m. in Puckett Field House and feature 1967 graduate Dr. David Kerr as the commencement speaker.

Kerr is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church who served the General Church, has traveled in five continents, and has stood behind a pulpit in all 50 states. He served Missouri churches, including Independence First, the college church in Warrensburg, and provided seventeen years of leadership at the Salem in Ladue United Methodist Church in St. Louis.

After earning his undergraduate degree in business administration from Central, Kerr went on to receive a Master of Divinity from St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City and underwent his doctoral studies at Emory University in Atlanta.

Kerr has provided leadership as president of two Rotary Clubs, a board of directors member of the YMCA, and an assistant scoutmaster with the Boy Scouts of America. He was on the organizational board that built the Kingswood Manor in Kansas City and served as a trustee at the Ozarks Methodist Manor in Marionville, Missouri. The governor of Missouri appointed him to serve on the commission that oversees the licensing of Nursing Home Administrators.

Kerr served on the Central Board of Trustees from 2003-2021 and received the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2022.

He and his wife, Dr. Marsha Kahler Kerr ’69, have three children – John David ’88, Rebecca, and Matthew – and five grandchildren.

In addition to the Fayette commencement, CMU will celebrate graduation at the Sedalia location on May 16 and Park Hills on May 18.

Livestream links for those unable to attend in person:

Fayette -  https://youtube.com/live/GPW2eQPH0sw?feature=share 

Sedalia - https://youtube.com/live/Dq_HhzQOjQ8?feature=share.