MSU-Meridian graduates ready to fill crucial roles after fall commencement
MERIDIAN, Miss.—Mississippi State University-Meridian conferred 77 graduate degrees and 27 undergraduate degrees during fall commencement Thursday [Dec. 11].
MSU President Mark E. Keenum gave the commencement address before a filled MSU Riley Center in downtown Meridian, where 104 students walked the stage to receive their degrees and a congratulatory handshake.
“You are living your dream at this very moment, but this isn’t the end by any stretch—it’s the beginning of an exciting new chapter in your life,” Keenum said. “I know all of you are well prepared to transition from college to what comes next. You are prepared for all of the incredible opportunities and changes you are going to see through these next decades. You have the education and the values you need to impact lives and to be a change agent for good.”
Among the graduates were two students graduating summa cum laude, two magna cum laude and one cum laude. They were in the company of two military veterans, Bendarius Winston, who received a Master of Science in Counselor Education, and Raven Hardy, who earned an Educational Specialist in Counselor Education.
Four graduates are being honored with special recognition: McKinley Goodin of Pelahatchie, a criminology magna cum laude graduate, is being honored with the 2025 Fall Mitchell Award for Undergraduate Excellence from the Division of Arts and Sciences; while Steven Higginbotham of Oxford, graduating with his Master of Science in Counselor Education, Amanda McLoed of Ellisville, earning her Doctor of Education, and Madison White of Philadelphia, graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Applied Science, were recognized as Outstanding Students.
MSU commencement ceremonies continue in Starkville on Friday [Dec. 12]. For complete graduation information, visit https://www.registrar.msstate.edu/students/graduation.
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