Four years ago, high school graduates entered an uncertain world turned upside down by a pandemic. Now as Mississippi State 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].
MSU 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 “are living their dream,” Keenum said, of becoming a degree-earning Bulldogs.
“People who live their lives based on values and principles—integrity, work ethic, caring about others, being honest and truthful—they stand out,” said the university’s 19th president. “You will stand out because of these values, and people will gravitate to you because of who you are.
On Thursday, MSU-Meridian bestowed its first Doctor of Public Service honorary degree to local resident and entrepreneur Martin “Marty” Davidson, chairman of Meridian-based Southern Pipe & Supply Company. Davidson is the third-generation owner of one of the nation’s 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 “Best Company to Work for in Mississippi” 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 school-aged children in multi-county areas throughout East Central Mississippi and West Alabama. As current president of The Riley Foundation, Davidson’s generosity has enabled the development of MSU-Meridian’s Health Sciences Division, which includes programs that ultimately will provide compassionate health care workers for Mississippi’s most disadvantaged populations.