Dr. Matthew Pigg Named Missouri State University Distinguished Alumnus
Date: May 2, 2008
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The award recognizes a Missouri State University alumnus who has made extraordinary achievements in his or her personal and professional endeavors and has shown notable success in his/her profession or business, loyalty to the university and outstanding contributions to society.
“Dr. Matthew Pigg epitomizes our motto that you can stay here for your education and go far in your career,” Chancellor Drew Bennett said. “A 1997 graduate of Willow Springs High School, Matt chose to take advantage of the educational opportunities at Missouri State-West Plains and developed the foundation for a successful undergraduate and post-graduate education at schools outside this area. But what is most gratifying is that he brought his talents and expertise back to south-central Missouri to serve his neighbors and friends. Dr. Matthew Pigg is an excellent example of how Missouri State University-West Plains helps area residents achieve their dreams and impacts the community at large through their success.”
After completing high school, Pigg enrolled at Missouri State-West Plains and completed his Associate of Arts in General Studies degree in May 1999. He transferred to Union University in Jackson, Tenn., where he majored in mathematics and minored in biology. He completed his bachelor’s degree in 2002 and subsequently enrolled in the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tenn., completing the requirements for a Doctorate in Optometry in 2006. He returned to his hometown of Willow Springs upon graduation and began working for Ream Optometry. He currently services Ream Optometry offices in Mtn. View and Houston.
Pigg was named the 1998 Youth of the Year by the Willow Springs Chamber of Commerce for his foundational work as editor of the Willow Springs R-IV School District newspaper, “The Educator,” which kept patrons apprised of relevant school news on a weekly basis. While attending Southern College of Optometry, he received the “Outstanding Clinician Award” and the Southern Council of Optometrists Clinical Excellence Scholarship.
In addition to serving his community through his profession, Pigg also is a member of the Willow Springs Ambulance Board and the Willow Springs Scholarship Committee.
Previous recipients of the Distinguished Alumnus Award include Dr. Don Hamby, former superintendent of Willow Springs Schools, in 1999; West Plains businessman Jim McFarland in 2000; Missouri State University marketing lecturer Sherry Cook in 2001; Peggy Kissinger, a long-time state employee with the local Division of Family Services and Missouri Career Center offices, in 2002; Dr. Greg Langley, a veterinarian from Thayer, in 2003; and Dr. Doug Green, a neurosurgeon from West Plains, in 2004; George Colbert, former administrator at Kabul Nursing Homes, Inc., in Cabool, in 2005; Jeannie Looper, interim president and CEO of Ozarks Medical Center in West Plains, in 2006; and Willow Springs businessman David Montgomery in 2007.
DR. MATTHEW PIGG, right, optometrist with Ream Optometry in Mtn. View and Houston, was named Distinguished Alumnus at the Missouri State University Annual Spring Barbecue for Alumni and Friends Thursday, May 1, at the West Plains Civic Center. Presenting the award to Pigg is Missouri State-West Plains Chancellor Drew Bennett. (Missouri State-West Plains Photo)