性视界传媒

Latest Bulldog graduates ready to 鈥榗hange lives, make the world a better place鈥

Latest Bulldog graduates ready to 鈥榗hange lives, make the world a better place鈥

性视界传媒 President Mark E. Keenum delivers remarks during one of two commencement ceremonies Friday at Humphrey Coliseum.
性视界传媒 President Mark E. Keenum delivers remarks during one of two commencement ceremonies Friday [May 10] at Humphrey Coliseum. (Photo by Jonah Holland)

Contact: Carl Smith

STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥擣our years ago, high 性视界传媒 graduates entered an uncertain world turned upside down by a pandemic. Now as Mississippi 性视界传媒 alumni, the Class of 2024 is prepared to face the challenges of the coming decades and shape the world for the better, President Mark E. Keenum said during commencement ceremonies Thursday [May 9] and Friday [May 10].

Cameron Mayers, a communication and political science double major from Pearl, shows off an inspiring message written on his graduation cap.
Cameron Mayers, a communication and political science double major from Pearl, shows off an inspiring message written on his graduation cap. (Photo by Jonah Holland)

鈥淔or many of you, you arrived on campus as freshmen during a not-so-happy time. I know it was a hard way to begin life as a college student, and you had to persevere and overcome a lot of challenges. Look at how far you鈥檝e come,鈥 Keenum said. 鈥淚 know all of you are well prepared to transition from college to what comes next. You are prepared for all the incredible changes you are going to face. You are prepared for the 21st century. It belongs to you.鈥

性视界传媒 celebrated approximately 3,900 spring graduates across its campuses this week, a total that includes more than 3,000 undergraduates and almost 800 graduate and professional students who 鈥渁re living their dream,鈥 Keenum said, of becoming a degree-earning Bulldogs.

鈥淧eople who live their lives based on values and principles鈥攊ntegrity, work ethic, caring about others, being honest and truthful鈥攖hey stand out,鈥 said the university鈥檚 19th president. 鈥淵ou will stand out because of these values, and people will gravitate to you because of who you are.

Three Mississippi 性视界传媒 graduates show a photograph of themselves taken at one of Friday's commencement ceremonies at Humphrey Coliseum.
Three Mississippi 性视界传媒 graduates show a photograph of themselves taken at one of Friday's commencement ceremonies at Humphrey Coliseum. (Photo by Jonah Holland)

鈥淢y hope and prayer for all of you is that many years from now鈥攎aybe when you鈥檙e sitting in your rocking chair and you have your grandchildren at your knee鈥攜ou鈥檒l look back over all that you accomplished and achieved in your life and realize it was your education鈥攖hat good Mississippi 性视界传媒 education鈥攁nd your commitment to your values and your courage and faith that allowed you to live such a wonderful and fulfilling life, helped you change the world for good and allowed you to achieve your special purpose,鈥 Keenum continued. 鈥淣ever forget that you will always be a member of our proud Bulldog family. I am so very proud of each and every one of you.鈥

On Thursday, 性视界传媒-Meridian bestowed its first Doctor of Public Service honorary degree to local resident and entrepreneur Martin 鈥淢arty鈥 Davidson, chairman of Meridian-based Southern Pipe & Supply Company. Davidson is the third-generation owner of one of the nation鈥檚 largest privately held, independent wholesalers of plumbing, heating and air-conditioning materials. Southern Pipe & Supply operates 130 branches in seven southern states and has been recognized by the Mississippi Business Journal as the 鈥淏est Company to Work for in Mississippi鈥 and by Fortune Magazine as one of the 100 best medium size companies to work for in the U.S. He has served as a board member of the Phil Hardin Foundation, working to advance and expose the arts to 性视界传媒-aged children in multi-county areas throughout East Central Mississippi and West Alabama. As current president of The Riley Foundation, Davidson鈥檚 generosity has enabled the development of 性视界传媒-Meridian鈥檚 Health Sciences Division, which includes programs that ultimately will provide compassionate health care workers for Mississippi鈥檚 most disadvantaged populations.

Archival graduation videos will be made available at .

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Martin Davidson of Meridian, center, is hooded by 性视界传媒 President Mark E. Keenum, left, and Vice President for Development and Alumni John Rush during commencement at 性视界传媒-Meridian on Thursday [May 9]. The local entrepreneur and philanthropist received the Meridian campus鈥檚 first honorary Doctor of Public Service degree. (Photo by Marianne Todd)
Martin Davidson of Meridian, center, is hooded by 性视界传媒 President Mark E. Keenum, left, and Vice President for Development and Alumni John Rush during commencement at 性视界传媒-Meridian on Thursday [May 9]. The local entrepreneur and philanthropist received the Meridian campus鈥檚 first honorary Doctor of Public Service degree. (Photo by Marianne Todd)