{"id":240,"date":"2010-07-23T10:58:40","date_gmt":"2010-07-23T10:58:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.deltastate.edu\/news-and-events\/2010\/07\/23\/delta-state-graduates-over-420-freeman-conferred-with-honorary-degree\/"},"modified":"2013-09-03T12:56:34","modified_gmt":"2013-09-03T12:56:34","slug":"delta-state-graduates-over-420-freeman-conferred-with-honorary-degree","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.deltastate.edu\/news-and-events\/2010\/07\/delta-state-graduates-over-420-freeman-conferred-with-honorary-degree\/","title":{"rendered":"Delta State graduates over 420, Freeman conferred with honorary degree"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Delta State University President John Hilpert (at right) presents Dr. Morgan Freeman with a framed honorary degree from Delta State University<\/P><\/TD>

Delta<\/SPAN> <\/SPAN>State<\/SPAN> graduates and audience rise for the playing of the National Anthem in Sillers Coliseum.<\/SPAN><\/TD>

NASA CFO Gwen Sykes (at right) visits with Delta State students Tarishan Winder-Esters (at left), of Greenville, and Andrea Tatum, of Southaven. Both students received a bachelor\u2019s degree in Speech Communication & Theatre Arts.<\/P><\/TD><\/TR>

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It had all the trimmings traditionally associated with a graduation ceremony \u2013 camera flashes popping; loud thunderous applause; standing ovations; and proud, beaming, barely containable smiles from graduates, friends and families. <\/SPAN><\/P>

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But <\/SPAN>Delta<\/SPAN> <\/SPAN>State<\/SPAN> <\/SPAN>University<\/SPAN>\u2019s 79th<\/SUP> Spring Commencement, held this morning inside Walter Sillers Coliseum on the campus, had one additional element that only elevated and intensified the camera flashes popping; the loud thunderous applause; the standing ovations; and the proud, beaming, barely containable smiles from graduates, friends and families \u2013 Hollywood icon, Morgan Freeman. <\/SPAN><\/P>

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Delta<\/SPAN> <\/SPAN>State<\/SPAN> conferred Freeman for the degree, Doctor of Arts and Letters, honoris causa (\u201cfor the sake of honor\u201d) in front of a filled-to-capacity coliseum. \u201cMr. Freeman\u2019s commitment to the Delta has been steadfast and solid. He has never forgotten his roots and we appreciate him for that,\u201d Delta State President, Dr. John M. Hilpert, lauded. \u201cWe are privileged to honor Morgan Freeman, an outstanding Mississippian whose long and distinguished career has brought great pride to his everyone in his home state and particularly to all of us who live in the Delta.\u201d<\/SPAN><\/P>

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Freeman, amidst countless cameras flashes and an extended standing ovation, accepted his large framed degree, smiled brightly and acknowledged, \u201cI had two pages of remarks written, but for the sake of being shorter, I will simply express my appreciation, my gratitude and say, \u2018Thank you.\u2019\u201d <\/SPAN><\/P>

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Later at a reception following the commencement services, Freeman acknowledged Leola Gregory Williams, an elementary teacher in his native <\/SPAN>Greenwood<\/SPAN>. \u201cShe was a magician, a true magician.\u201d Williams inspired Freeman and challenged him \u201cto make something of my life, to do good.\u201d <\/SPAN><\/P>

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Williams would become the first African-American instructor in English at <\/SPAN>Delta<\/SPAN> <\/SPAN>State<\/SPAN>. Annually the University awards The Leola Gregory Williams Award to students who have written outstanding papers in general education classes. <\/SPAN><\/P>

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Freeman becomes the third recipient of an honorary degree from <\/SPAN>Delta<\/SPAN> <\/SPAN>State<\/SPAN>, joining alumnus Elbert R. Hilliard, Director Emeritus, Mississippi Department of Archives and History; and Charles W. (Charlie) Capps, a native of Cleveland, and former District 28 Representative in the Mississippi House of Representatives. <\/SPAN><\/P>

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In 2004, he appeared in \u201cMillion Dollar Baby,\u201d for which his on-screen performance as ex-prize fighter Eddie \u201cScrap Iron\u201d Dupris, was critically acclaimed and won Freeman his first Best Supporting Actor Oscar.<\/SPAN><\/P>

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On the day, <\/SPAN>Delta<\/SPAN> <\/SPAN>State<\/SPAN> also welcomed Gwen Sykes, Chief Financial Officer for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), to campus, as she delivered an uplifting and inspiring keynote address.

Sykes joined NASA in November 2002 when she was selected as the Deputy Chief Financial Officer for Financial Management. Since that time, she has made significant strides towards improving agency-wide financial integrity. She has launched several management initiatives, aligned with principles of the Federal Government\u2019s Joint Financial Management Improvement Program (JFMIP), designed to improve NASA\u2019s financial health and performance. Her leadership and resourcefulness are invaluable assets to the NASA community. <\/SPAN><\/P>

In 2003, Sykes was awarded the NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal for outstanding budgetary and financial management leadership of the NASA financial community. <\/SPAN><\/P>

From the lectern, she urged graduates, \u201cto dream and dream big. Be hopeful and optimistic. Be inspired to reach for something you would have thought could never have happened. <\/SPAN><\/P>

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\u201cBe resilient. See the opportunities in life, remembering opportunity may disguise itself as a challenge, at first,\u201d she continued. \u201cStay true to your family and friends, always.\u201d<\/SPAN><\/P>

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\u201cI am awed by what you will achieve. You carry the torch of discovery with you now and I ask you to remember, education is a gift that can\u2019t be taken away,\u201d Sykes offered, repeating again for emphasis and clarity. \u201cEducation is definitely a gift that can not be taken away.\u201d<\/SPAN><\/P>

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Delta<\/SPAN> <\/SPAN>State<\/SPAN> graduated over 425 graduates, all of which were able to shake, both Sykes and Freeman\u2019s hands, before collecting their conferred degrees. Some graduates even asked for hugs, to which Freeman agreed cordially. <\/SPAN><\/P>

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Two doctor of education degrees and six educational specialist degrees were conferred during the commencement exercise, while numerous master\u2019s and bachelor\u2019s degrees were awarded through the <\/SPAN>College<\/SPAN> of <\/SPAN>Arts<\/SPAN> and Sciences, the <\/SPAN>College<\/SPAN> of <\/SPAN>Business<\/SPAN>, the <\/SPAN>College<\/SPAN> of <\/SPAN>Education<\/SPAN> and the <\/SPAN>School<\/SPAN> of <\/SPAN>Nursing<\/SPAN>. <\/SPAN><\/P>

 <\/P><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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