Keenum: Graduating Bulldogs prepared for next chapter of life thanks to MSU education, values

Contact: Carl Smith

STARKVILLE, Miss.—With a world-class degree in hand and a personal foundation built on Bulldog values, approximately 4,000 new Mississippi State graduates are ready to change the world.

The Class of 2026 was honored at commencement ceremonies in Starkville and Meridian this week—events MSU President Mark E. Keenum said were the beginnings of “an exciting new chapter” in their lives.

“With your degree from this wonderful institution, you’ll have people tripping over themselves to open doors to opportunities for you,” the university’s 19th president said. “Integrity, strong work ethic and respect for others—that’s who we are, and that’s what we’re known for. Embrace and live your life with these values.”

This week’s ceremonies spotlighted graduates in majors housed in MSU’s 10 colleges and the Division of Student Affairs. A Starkville hooding for doctoral recipients and MSU-Meridian’s graduation at the Riley Center were held earlier this week. Also honored were 167 Stephen D. Lee Scholars, who graduated with 4.0 GPAs.

Keenum also conferred honorary Doctor of Public Service degrees to William “Bill” Berry, retired ConocoPhillips executive vice president for worldwide exploration and production, and Archie Tucker, retired area director for the federal government’s Agricultural Research Service.

Berry earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in petroleum engineering from MSU in 1974 and 1976, respectively. He began his career with Phillips Petroleum in 1976, working his way across the globe in various engineering and management roles in London, England; Abidjan, Ivory Coast; and Stavanger, Norway. In 1992, the Gulfport native moved to China, where he was responsible for the company’s upstream and downstream activities. The Chinese government recognized him as one of 31 outstanding foreign experts in 1996. He supported education throughout his career and held roles with the MSU Bagley College of Engineering Dean’s Advisory Council and the MSU Foundation Board, as well as positions with the Beijing International School and Teach for America, among other organizations.

“He and his wife are two of Mississippi State University’s greatest friends,” Keenum said of the couple who helped establish the William and Sherry Berry Chair in Agricultural and Biological Engineering. “They have contributed widely and generously in support of our students and faculty, and their many gifts have expanded access to engineering education and supported students pursuing technical degrees.”

Tucker’s 50-year career with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s ARS began when he was a 16-year-old high school student and concluded in 2025, when he retired as the Southeast area director while based in Stoneville. He provided leadership for various research projects in nine Southern states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands during his tenure. The 1979 Mississippi Valley State University graduate received numerous honors and recognitions throughout his career, including the 2024 A.L. Vandergriff Cotton Pioneer Award from the Southern Cotton Ginners Association, the 2022 Presidential Rank Award—the highest award a federal civilian employee can receive—and multiple Secretary Honor Awards in recognition and appreciation of exceptional performance and outstanding contributions to the success of the USDA. In 2015, Tucker received the USDA’s most prestigious award, the Abraham Lincoln Award, for exceptional achievement and outstanding contributions to American agriculture. Four years later, he received the Delta Council Achievement Award for outstanding contributions to aquaculture.

“Mississippi State University and the Agricultural Research Service have an outstanding research relationship. Our partnership is nationally known as the Mississippi Model and is regarded as one of USDA’s most efficient and productive research partnerships,” Keenum said. “Like so many success stories, the success between MSU and ARS is possible because of the people. I can’t say enough about how much Archie means to Mississippi State University and to me personally. His impact has stretched from the farms in the Delta all the way around the world.”

Mississippi State University is taking care of what matters. Learn more at www.msstate.edu.