Alumnus to Speak at December Graduation

Alumnus and current state Senator Eric S. Schmitt will be the featured speaker during December 2012 Commencement ceremonies, scheduled for 11 a.m. Dec. 15 in Pershing Arena.

Schmitt, a 1997 Truman State University cum laude graduate, currently serves as the Missouri Senator for the 15th District. In addition to his legislative duties, he is also a partner at the law firm of Lathrop & Gage, LLP.

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Senator Eric S. Schmitt

Schmitt was born and raised in St. Louis County and he graduated from DeSmet Jesuit High School. During his time at Truman, he was a two-sport athlete, participating in both baseball and football. He also founded a Habitat for Humanity Chapter on campus.

After attending Truman, Schmitt earned a scholarship for law school at Saint Louis University. While earning his juris doctorate, he was as an editor of the Law Review and a published author.

Schmitt was first elected to the Missouri Senate in 2008 and was re-elected to his second term  this past November. His district in St. Louis County includes all or parts of Ballwin, Chesterfield, Clarkson Valley, Des Peres, Ellisville, Fenton, Glendale, Kirkwood, Manchester, Sunset Hills, Twin Oaks, Valley Park, Wildwood and Winchester. He serves in Senate Leadership as Majority Caucus Secretary and is Chairman of the Jobs, Economic Development and Local Government Committee.

His public service includes serving as a Glendale, Mo., alderman from 2005-2008. He has also served on boards for DeSmet Jesuit High School, Nurses for Newborns Foundation, St. Louis Crisis Nursery and Kirkwood Parents as Teachers Program.

Additionally, Schmitt served as chairman of the Young Lawyer Section Council of the Missouri Bar, spearheaded a statewide Giving Tree effort benefiting Big Brothers-Big Sisters and created a Special Needs Advocacy Task Force. He has also been involved with the TS (Tuberous Sclerosis) Alliance, the Gateway Chapter of the Autism Society, Habitat for Humanity and local Chambers of Commerce.

Schmitt is a lifelong resident of St. Louis County. He lives in Glendale with his wife, Jaime, a 1997 Truman graduate, and their three children, Stephen, Sophia and Olivia.

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