{"id":89733,"date":"2021-12-13T12:26:56","date_gmt":"2021-12-13T18:26:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.deltastate.edu\/news-and-events\/?p=89733"},"modified":"2021-12-13T14:55:00","modified_gmt":"2021-12-13T20:55:00","slug":"delta-state-university-celebrates-nearly-400-graduates-during-95th-commencement-exercise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.deltastate.edu\/news-and-events\/2021\/12\/delta-state-university-celebrates-nearly-400-graduates-during-95th-commencement-exercise\/","title":{"rendered":"Delta State University celebrates nearly 400 graduates during 95th Commencement Exercise"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]CLEVELAND, Miss.\u2014<\/strong> It was the end and the beginning for the nearly 400 graduates who were celebrated by Delta State University during its 95th<\/sup> Commencement Exercise.<\/p>\n

A total of 392 graduates from the Summer and Fall of 2021 were recognized in the program during two in-person ceremonies Friday, Dec. 10. Graduate students were honored during the 10 a.m. event while undergraduate students were honored at 2 p.m.<\/p>\n

In addition to the United States, graduates hailed from 11 countries across the globe, including Bulgaria, Great Britain, France, Germany, Haiti, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Nigeria, South Korea and Venezuela.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery day is a great day to be at Delta State, and I know that our degree candidates will fondly remember this moment, the day in which we honor our Summer and Fall 2021 graduating classes for their hard work and the perseverance they have demonstrated in achieving academic success that few accomplish,\u201d said Delta State President William N. LaForge.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want you to know how proud we are of each of you. We know this has been a very challenging time to be a university student, and we appreciate and acknowledge the flexibility and tenacity you have demonstrated during this very interesting period of American history,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Dr. Joseph A. Bentley, the 2021 recipient of the S.E. Kossman Outstanding Teacher Award at Delta State, served as the commencement speaker.<\/p>\n

A native of Little Rock, Ark., Bentley is currently in his 29th year as a professor of chemistry in the Division of Mathematics and Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences at Delta State.<\/p>\n

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Commencement speaker Dr. Joseph A. Bentley (pictured) addresses graduates.<\/p><\/div>\n

During his address, he shared words of wisdom that have impacted his life over the years in hopes that they would do the same for the new graduates. His advice included \u201cignore the naysayers,\u201d \u201cprotect your reputation\u201d and \u201cseek out mentors.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou will find no shortage of people saying, \u2018You can\u2019t do that’ or \u2018Why are you wasting your time\u2019\u2014ignore them and pay attention to those who say \u2018If you work hard, the sky is the limit,\u2019 they\u2019re the ones who are right,\u201d said Bentley.<\/p>\n

Bentley told the Class of 2021 that while it takes 20 years to build a reputation, it can quickly be ruined in minutes<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you think about that, you\u2019ll do things differently,\u201d he said. \u201cProtect your reputation. Believe me, there are some bad actors out there in the world who will try to damage your reputation. You do not need to help them. Guard your reputation closely.\u201d<\/p>\n

While reiterating the importance of having a mentor, Bentley said it\u2019s just as important to choose a good one.<\/p>\n

\u201cMentors can really help you navigate your work and your life. I\u2019m for the saying, \u2018experience is the greatest teacher of all.\u2019 It\u2019s better not to make mistakes in the first place, this is where a mentor is valuable,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

He closed by reminding graduates that tough times don\u2019t last always.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople say all the time that life is full of ups and downs. I have to tell you, some of my worst failures in my life were followed by some of my greatest successes. So, when things are going really badly, just wait; they will get better.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bentley\u2019s final words reiterated what many graduates already knew to be true.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was tough but gratifying,\u201d said Ben Harris of Greenwood, Miss. who received a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Computer Information Systems. \u201cThis is something that I am proud to say that I have accomplished. Currently, I\u2019m starting a new job at the Jackson Airport as an Information Analyst, and my end goal is to become a network engineer.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDuring my time at Delta State I faced a lot of hard times, but they were all worth it,\u201d shared Javeon McNairy of Prairie, Miss., who received a bachelor\u2019s degree in audio engineering. \u201cI\u2019ve learned so much here\u2014I gained a lot of invaluable life experiences, and I learned a lot about myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Master of Elementary Education graduate Samantha Clark of Shelby, Miss., echoed a similar sentiment.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere were some challenges because I work full-time and I\u2019m a mother, but I wouldn\u2019t trade my experience at Delta State for anything in the world,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019ve met new people\u2014people who I\u2019ll probably be friends with for a lifetime, so overall it was a great experience.\u201d<\/p>\n

Elizabeth Swindle of Pearl, Miss. said the Integrated Master of Business Administration (iMBA) program at Delta State gave her the flexibility to earn a degree at her own pace as she worked full-time.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was such a rewarding experience to be able to complete this degree and become the first person in my family to receive a master\u2019s degree. Delta State really supported me from start to finish,\u201d she shared.<\/p>\n

Shon Dempsey of Silt, Colo. was also able to conveniently complete his\u00a0Master of Commercial Aviation online while working in airport operations for the Apsen-Pitkin County Airport in Aspen, Colo.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy experience at Delta State was great. The professors in the program were very helpful. All of the classes were super applicable to aviation and my current career track,\u201d said Dempsey who aspires to one day manage an airport.<\/p>\n

For Elementary Education graduates Alexis Rover of Little Rock, Ark. and Roseloran Tyler of Cleveland, Miss., Delta State has made them \u201cclassroom-ready.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cMy time here at Delta State was amazing. All of the faculty in the education department were super helpful,\u201d said Rover.<\/p>\n

\u201cDelta State gave us what we need in the classroom before introducing us to the real world, and I think we\u2019ll be more effective teachers because of that. Our time here seemed too short,\u201d added Tyler.<\/p>\n

As an international student, Kevin Muela of Chihuahua, Mexico, said Delta State provided him with a world-class experience.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve had a really good time here at Delta State. I had the opportunity to make really great connections with friends and my teammates on the swim team,\u201d said Muela, who earned a bachelor\u2019s degree in exercise science with a minor in Spanish.<\/p>\n

However, for many graduates like Jasmine Evans of Greenville, Miss., graduation was not a \u201cgoodbye\u201d but rather a \u201csee you soon\u201d to Delta State.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy time at Delta State has been wonderful,\u201d shared Evans who earned a bachelor\u2019s degree in psychology. \u201cI enjoyed meeting new people and gaining knowledge as I prepare for my future career. I\u2019m excited to further my education in Delta State\u2019s graduate program.\u201d<\/p>\n

To view a replay of Delta State\u2019s Fall 2021 Commencement, visit https:\/\/livestream.com\/deltastateuniversity<\/a>.<\/p>\n

More photos:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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