STARKVILLE, Miss.--Fall semester graduates at Mississippi State University will hear from the state's chief executive during Dec. 15 commencement ceremonies.
Gov. Phil Bryant will speak during the 10 a.m. graduation program in Humphrey Coliseum.
Nearly 1,400 students are scheduled to receive degrees. Those choosing to participate in the ceremony will include a number from the summer term, for which there is no separate graduation event.
Mississippi's 64th governor, Bryant was sworn into office in January after previously serving as lieutenant governor, state auditor and a member of the Mississippi House of Representatives.
He is a Hinds Community College and University of Southern Mississippi graduate who went on to receive a master's degree in political science from Mississippi College.
As state auditor, Bryant led the recovery of more than $12 million in embezzled or improperly spent taxpayers' dollars.
As lieutenant governor, he worked to ensure accountability in state government and encouraged transparency. He proposed webcasting of Senate proceedings so residents could see their government in action.
Upon taking the governor's office, Bryant announced 31 initiatives designed to help lead Mississippi through economic expansion and increased governmental efficiency. For more information about Gov. Bryant, visit www.governorbryant.com.
For more information about Mississippi State University, see www.msstate.edu.
