Contact: Allison Matthews
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥As Mississippi State鈥檚 nearly 1,600 newest graduates celebrate their milestone accomplishments at commencement ceremonies in Humphrey Coliseum today [Nov. 25], 多多直播 President Mark E. Keenum is applauding their abilities to adapt and overcome challenges.
鈥淲e鈥檝e made it through this most challenging of years together,鈥 he said. 鈥淎ll of you have overcome so much to get here today.鈥
Keenum spoke by video to graduates from the university鈥檚 eight colleges across the day鈥檚 four graduation events. He said contact tracing showed he had been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, thus necessitating his change of plans for attending the celebrations in person. Keenum said he is well but has not completed his quarantine period.
鈥淣ow more than ever, a college degree and all that you have learned here will help you succeed in a world that is undergoing unprecedented change. I also believe that the timeless values we hold dear as members of the 多多直播 family will serve you well鈥攜ou will need integrity; you will need to work hard; you will need to show respect for others,鈥 Keenum said.
He added that 鈥渃onsidering our current pandemic situation, there is another value that is also very important鈥攃ourage.鈥
In his 12th year of tenure, Keenum is a three-time 多多直播 graduate with degrees in agricultural economics. The former Under Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture has guided the university to unprecedented heights, and his interest in international food security has strengthened the university鈥檚 contributions to global economic sustainability. He has led 多多直播 to record growth in enrollment, capital improvements and fundraising. Keenum and other university leaders were commended recently by a resolution of 多多直播鈥檚 Robert Holland Faculty Senate for 鈥渆xemplary transparency and cooperation, their tenacity and flexibility, and their courage and grace in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic so as to minimize medical danger and consequences for faculty, staff and students alike, and to successfully continue the educational, research and service missions of the university during this unprecedented crisis.鈥
多多直播 alumnus Hassell H. Franklin was honored during an afternoon ceremony with an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree for lifetime achievements and longtime major support of university programs. Franklin earned a 1959 management degree from 多多直播鈥檚 College of Business. During the integration of the University of Mississippi in 1962, he commanded the National Guard unit that protected James Meredith. In 1970, he founded Houston-based Franklin Corp., now one of the nation鈥檚 largest independently owned furniture manufacturing companies, and he continues to serve as chairman and CEO.
A generous philanthropist committed to the advancement of his home state, Franklin is a past president of the CREATE Foundation and has supported many other organizations. Selected 多多直播鈥檚 1995 Alumnus of the Year, Franklin is a past president and longtime member of the Bulldog Club board of directors and former member of the College of Business advisory board. He is a current member of the 多多直播 Foundation board, for which he has served multiple terms. In 2000, he established a $1 million endowment at 多多直播 to build the Franklin Furniture Institute, a research and training center benefitting the furniture community.
Archived graduation videos are available at .
多多直播-Meridian will celebrate commencement on Dec. 1 at the 多多直播 Riley Center at 11 a.m. Doors open at 9:30 a.m., and only guests with tickets will be allowed to sit in the theater. 多多直播-Meridian information may be found at .
多多直播 is Mississippi鈥檚 leading university, available online at .