MSU to honor actor John Goodman, St. Louis circuit attorney Gabe Gore in mid-December

In mid-December, Missouri State University will honor two headline-grabbing alumni who have helped reshape the campus.

John Goodman, one of MSU's best-known graduates, will receive the Bronze Bear Award and Gabe Gore will receive the Government Excellence Award.

The MSU Board of Governors voted Friday to award the honors during the Dec. 15 commencement ceremony.

Goodman chaired the university's largest and most recent fundraising campaign — pulling in $274 million — and is a longtime supporter of arts and theater.

“We’re immensely honored to recognize John as a beacon of generosity and commitment to our university,” said MSU President Clif Smart, in a Friday news release. “His enthusiasm in chairing the Onward Upward campaign and his unwavering support in building the outdoor amphitheatre that bears his name have transformed the university and its students.”

A year ago, the university dedicated the John Goodman Amphitheatre in the plaza adjacent to Craig Hall, helping to transform the outdoor area into the Judith Enyeart Reynolds Arts Park.

The open-air facility is the home of Tent Theatre and includes a permanent stage and tiers for 350 removable seats.

Goodman attended Missouri State in the 1970s on a football scholarship but an injury prevented him from taking the field. He was instead cast in a play, which ignited his love for acting.

He graduated in 1975 with a bachelor's degree in fine arts. He was awarded an honorary doctorate in 2013.

Goodman has been an actor for decades and is known for TV roles including "Roseanne" and iconic movies such as "The Big Lebowski."

Previous Bronze Bear recipients include Sen. Roy Blunt, Tim Reynolds and Judith Enyeart Reynolds and Matt Blunt.

Gore, a former member of the MSU Board of Governors, has a long history of government service.

He’s served as the assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri, assistant special counsel for the John C. Danforth Office of Special Counsel and was a member of the Ferguson Commission.

Gore also had a successful 23-year career in private practice. As a partner at Dowd Bennett LLP, he tried numerous jury trials to verdict, including cases involving breach of contract, securities fraud, employment and property damage claims.

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In late May, he was sworn in as the city of St. Louis circuit attorney. During his first months in office, he addressed the most critical issues facing the Circuit Attorney’s Office, including staffing, training and the backlog of pending cases.

“We’re grateful for Gabe and his continued support of the university,” Smart said, in the release. “His leadership skills and passion for community engagement exemplify the spirit of our public affairs mission.”

He has a bachelor's degree in political science from MSU and served on the board from December 2015 through June 2023.

The Government Excellence Award is bestowed to government officials who exemplify leadership, support the university and have outstanding achievements.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: MSU to honor actor John Goodman, attorney Gabe Gore in mid-December