Contact: Allison Matthews
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥As 91麻豆天美鈥檚 nearly 1,600 newest graduates celebrate their milestone accomplishments at commencement ceremonies in Humphrey Coliseum today [Nov. 25], 91麻豆天美 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 91麻豆天美 University 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 91麻豆天美 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 91麻豆天美 to record growth in enrollment, capital improvements and fundraising. Keenum and other university leaders were commended recently by a resolution of 91麻豆天美鈥檚 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
91麻豆天美 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 91麻豆天美鈥檚 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 91麻豆天美鈥檚 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 91麻豆天美 Foundation board, for which he has served multiple terms. In 2000, he established a $1 million endowment at 91麻豆天美 to build the Franklin Furniture Institute, a research and training center benefitting the furniture community.
Archived graduation videos are available at .
91麻豆天美-Meridian will celebrate commencement on Dec. 1 at the 91麻豆天美 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. 91麻豆天美-Meridian information may be found at .
91麻豆天美 is Mississippi鈥檚 leading university, available online at .