Contact: Carl Smith
STARKVILLE, Miss.—Approximately 1,500 Bulldogs are ready to take on the challenges of tomorrow after concluding the latest chapters of their collegiate careers during fall graduation events this week.
Led by MSU President Mark E. Keenum, the Friday [Dec. 12] commencement ceremonies in a filled Humphrey Coliseum spotlighted graduates in majors housed in MSU’s 10 colleges and the Division of Academic Affairs. A Starkville hooding for doctoral recipients and MSU-Meridian’s overall graduation at the Riley Center were held earlier this week. Twenty-six degree recipients were honored as Stephen D. Lee Scholars, graduating with 4.0 GPAs.
Equipped with a world-class education and instilled with core MSU values—integrity, hard work and respect for others—Keenum said the latest graduates are prepared for their next steps in life, including opportunities and changes they’ll see in the coming decades.
“I want you to always be known as the person who people can always trust and count on because of your impeccable integrity; I want you to be known as the person who always excels and does their very best because of your strong work ethic; and I want you to be known as being the person other people enjoy being around because you’re nice, kind, thoughtful and considerate of others,” he said. “You’re about to receive a diploma that says ‘Mississippi State’ on it. People will see that name and know you are part of a wonderful family. That’s why your diploma is so valued—because of who we are.
“There’s another virtue we all need: courage. Wherever we are in life, all of us will need courage to face and overcome the challenges and difficult times we will all face,” Keenum added. “Winston Churchill once said, ‘Without courage, all other virtues lose their meaning.’ Courage comes from when you believe in yourself and have confidence in who you are. Just being here today—all you have achieved should give you great confidence and courage for your next step in life.”
Although graduation marks the completion of an important journey, Keenum said the memories and relationships these students made at MSU will last a lifetime.
“You are living your dream at this very moment, but this isn’t the end by any stretch—it’s the beginning of an exciting new chapter in your life,” he said. “Like my youngest daughter Torie has told me on several occasions, ‘Dad, life is about making memories.’ What memories will you be making tomorrow, a year from now, a decade from now and many decades from now?
“My hope and prayer for all of you is that you’ll look back over all you accomplished and achieved in your life and realize it was your Mississippi State education and your values—your courage and your faith —that allowed you to live such a wonderful and fulfilling life and enabled you to change the world for good and allowed you to achieve your special purpose. Never forget you will always be a member of our proud Bulldog family.”
Mississippi State University is taking care of what matters. Learn more at www.msstate.edu.
