Rose to Address December Graduates

         Steven Rose

Steven W. Rose (’69) of Potomac, Md., an agent with State Farm Insurance since 1972, will address students as the commencement speaker for the December graduation ceremony. Commencement is at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 16 in Pershing Arena.

Rose is a lifetime member of the President’s Club, State Farm’s highest recognition.

He is a recipient of Truman’s 2006 President’s Leadership Award, as well as the 2003 Distinguished Alumni Service Award. From 1995-1999, Rose was a member of the University’s National Alumni Association Board of Directors, serving as chair of the Alumni Resources Committee. Rose is also a third-term member of Truman’s Foundation Board, and has served as the board vice president. He continues to fund the annual Steve Rose Performing Arts Scholarship, assisting deserving theatre students at Truman.

Rose recently chaired a special fund-raising initiative, and made a substantial leadership gift to name the performance theatre in the University’s fine arts center in Ophelia Parrish in honor of James G. Severns, professor emeritus of dramatics.

As a student, Rose appeared in several campus performances directed or produced by Severns. He worked for two seasons with Severns at the University Ice House Summer Stock Theater in Hannibal, Mo., in the late 1960s. Rose was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon, Alpha Phi Omega, the Business Administration Club, College Players, Psychology Club and the Young Democrats.

Rose was featured in a national television commercial for State Farm. As a member of the Screen Actors Guild, Rose has appeared in several motion pictures, television shows and commercials shot in the Washington, D.C./Baltimore, Md., area.