Contact: Carl Smith
STARKVILLE, Miss.āA new class of more than 1,400 Mississippi State graduates is ready to change the world, President Mark E. Keenum told their family and friends at fall commencement ceremonies on Friday [Dec. 8].
āItās incredible to think about how each and every one of you has the power to impact the lives of other people for good and to make this world a better place,ā he said, reflecting on the universityās core values of integrity, hard work and respect for others. āWith your Mississippi State education and committing your life to these values, there is nothing you cannot achieve.ā
Approximately 322 masterās recipients and nine educational specialist degree recipients joined undergraduates receiving diplomas at Humphrey Coliseum. An additional 83 doctoral students were hooded Thursday [Dec. 7], the same day MSU-Meridian celebrated 84 graduates at the Riley Center.
The ceremonies marked a return to Humphrey Coliseum after spring commencement was held at Davis-Wade Stadium due to renovations to the Bulldogsā basketball home. Graduation, Keenum said, is a ātruly special memoryā of studentsā time at MSU.
āThis is a joyous, celebratory occasion for all of us as we recognize the outstanding achievements of these very distinguished graduates here at Ļć½¶Ö±²„. As I look out over all of you graduates, I canāt help but think about the memories that youāll be taking from your time here,ā he said. āLike my youngest daughter, Torie, tells me: āLifeāitās all about making memories.ā And sheās right. What memories will you be making tomorrow, next week, next year, decades from now?
āJust being here today has taken tremendous courage. This is a foundation for you to grow from, to have the confidence that you need to go out and do whatever it is you want to do. Believe in yourself that you can and you will do it,ā Keenum added. āMy hope and prayer for all of you is that many years from now, youāll look back over your life and reflect on all that you accomplished and realize it was your education and valuesāyour courage and your faithāthat helped you to live such a wonderful life that impacted the lives of so many.ā
Keenum has guided the university to unprecedented heights, and his interest in international food security has strengthened the universityās contributions to global economic sustainability. He has led Ļć½¶Ö±²„to record growth in enrollment, capital improvements and fundraising. Just this week, the university announced a record in research and development expenditures, ranking among the top research universities nationally in the latest National Science Foundation report.
Archived graduation videos are available atĢż.
Ļć½¶Ö±²„ is taking care of what matters. Learn more atĢż.
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