Delta State University awarded 220 undergraduate degrees and 127 graduate degrees at the 93rd commencement on Friday, Dec. 13, 2019, in the Bologna Performing Arts Center on the DSU campus.
Delta State President William N. LaForge, who led the commencement activities, congratulated the graduates for reaching a “milestone,” he said, “that, frankly, few people achieve.”
A morning session honored undergraduate students from the Robert E. Smith School of Nursing and all graduate students. An afternoon event celebrated undergraduates from the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business and Aviation, and Education and Human Sciences.
“I urge you to view your college education as a trust,” he said, “that commits you to a lifetime of learning and service.”
“You broke the jinx,” jokes President LaForge, since commencement occurred on Friday the 13th. On a more serious note, he leads rounds of applause not only for the graduates but also for their families.
Keynote speaker Dr. Corlis Snow, associate professor of teacher education and recipient last spring of the 2019 S. E. Kossman Teaching Award, the highest distinction a faculty member may be accorded at Delta State, challenged the new graduates to adopt what she called a “growth mindset,” as opposed to a “fixed mindset,” in a constantly evolving world.
“Always give your best and ponder what you could have done better,” urges Dr. Snow, a DSU alumna.
This is vital to “maintain relevance in the professions you’ve chosen,” said the 18-year veteran in the Division of Teacher Education, Leadership, and Research at Delta State. After all, things have changed dramatically since the students’ first semester at DSU, she added.
It’s a DSU tradition that the Kossman Award winner from the previous spring commencement address graduates at the following fall commencement.
Subject to completion of all requirements as certified by the registrar, the 347 total degrees at the 93rd commencement broke down as follows:
The 220 undergraduate degrees: College of Arts and Sciences, 81; College of Business and Aviation, 56; College of Education and Human Sciences, 49; School of Nursing, 34.
The 127 graduate degrees: College of Education and Human Sciences, 60; College of Business and Aviation, 45; College of Arts and Sciences, 20; School of Nursing, 2.
“This nation and the state of Mississippi need the benefit of the skills and learning you have acquired here,” concluded President LaForge. “We send you into the world with our deep affection and wish for each of you the fullest measure of success.”
Here are other photos from commencement:
