NWMSU honors two St. Joseph students at Graduation who passed away during the spring semester

MARYVILLE, Mo. (KQTV) -- Northwest Missouri State University celebrated its spring graduates in its commencement ceremonies on Friday and Saturday.

Graduates ranged in age from 19 to 66, receiving over 800 bachelor's degrees, more than 600 master's degrees, and nearly 200 education specialist degrees.

The most common bachelor's degrees were business management, elementary education, and psychology.

The university also awarded posthumous degrees to the families of two St. Joseph students who passed away during the semester.

One degree went to the family of Joseph Huber, who was studying mass media with a broadcast production emphasis. Huber passed away on January 6 from an unexpected illness.

The other was awarded to the family of Kristina Thomas, who received a Master of Business Administration and human resource management after she passed away due to cancer on April 21, according to Northwest.