{"id":90908,"date":"2022-05-06T17:42:45","date_gmt":"2022-05-06T22:42:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.deltastate.edu\/news-and-events\/?p=90908"},"modified":"2022-05-07T22:29:14","modified_gmt":"2022-05-08T03:29:14","slug":"delta-state-95th-commencement-exercise-filled-with-surprises-428-graduates-celebrated","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.deltastate.edu\/news-and-events\/2022\/05\/delta-state-95th-commencement-exercise-filled-with-surprises-428-graduates-celebrated\/","title":{"rendered":"Delta State 95th Commencement Exercise filled with surprises, 428 graduates celebrated"},"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> Delta State University celebrated its 95th<\/sup> Commencement Exercise Friday, May 6, and it was a ceremony filled with surprises.<\/p>\n

The more than 400 graduates and thousands of guests gathered in the Walter SIllers Coliseum for the 10 a.m. ceremony witnessed not one, but two giants of the financial industry as honorary degree recipient Walt Bettinger II, CEO of The Charles Schwab Corporation, was hooded by an unexpected guest, fellow Delta State alumnus and former CEO and Chairman of the Board for the United Parcel Service (UPS) David Abney (\u201876).<\/p>\n

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Surprise guest, Delta State alumnus and former CEO and Chairman of the Board for the United Parcel Service (UPS) David Abney (\u201876), hoods honorary degree recipient Walt Bettinger II, CEO of The Charles Schwab Corporation.<\/p><\/div>\n

In addition, Delta State President William N. LaForge gave a surprise presentation by announcing that the forthcoming student outdoor recreation area, to be located behind Foundation Hall at Delta State, will be named in honor of graduate William Young of Flora. Young spearheaded the project as the 2021 Student Government Association President and is the first Delta State student to receive such a distinction.<\/p>\n

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During the graduation ceremony, Delta State President William N. LaForge (pictured, left) announced that the new volleyball court and student wellness area at Delta State will be named in honor of graduate William Young of Flora, Miss. (pictured, right).<\/p><\/div>\n

The Walter Sillers Coliseum was filled to capacity as family and friends celebrated those earning undergraduate and graduate degrees during the ceremony. Two doctoral degrees and 17 educational specialist degrees were conferred, while 122 master\u2019s degrees and 287 bachelor\u2019s degrees were awarded, subject to completion of all degree requirements, through the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business, the College of Education and the School of Nursing.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery day is a great day to be at Delta State, and I know that our degree candidates here today will fondly remember this occasion, on this day in particular, that we honor you\u2014our Spring 2022 graduating class\u2014 for your hard work and your perseverance in achieving academic success that few actually accomplish,\u201d said LaForge. \u201cToday, graduates, you have reached a milestone, and we\u2019re very pleased to recognize your achievements.\u201d<\/p>\n

LaForge then introduced Bettinger, who gave the commencement address. A native of Ada, Ohio, Bettinger attended Delta State from 1979 to 1981 on an academic and golf scholarship. He completed his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Ohio University and has completed the General Management program at the Harvard Business School.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are thrilled to have him back on our campus for this commencement ceremony,\u201d said LaForge. \u201cWalt Bettinger is the ideal blend of a successful CEO and a servant leader. He is a leader\u2019s leader\u2026he exhibits professional and personal modesty while leading and serving his company, his industry, and his clients in unique and creative ways\u2014all with integrity. He is an exemplar and an inspiration for our graduates here today.\u201d<\/p>\n

During his address, Bettinger shared with graduates the true meaning of leadership and success.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor many of you, today marks not an ending, but a beginning\u2026in many cases, the beginning of a new career,\u201d he said. \u201cYou see, many of you will eventually become managers, administrators, coaches, managing directors, vice presidents, senior executives, presidents and even some CEOs.\u201d<\/p>\n

However, it isn\u2019t the title that makes one a leader, Bettinger said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat title can only be earned \u2026 and it can only be awarded by the people you will serve,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

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Delta State alumnus Walt W. Bettinger II, chief executive officer of the Charles Schwab Corporation, delivers the Spring 2022 commencement address.<\/p><\/div>\n

Similarly, success isn\u2019t about what you accomplish but rather who you help along the way, shared Bettinger.<\/p>\n

\u201cSuccess isn\u2019t your job title, how many people know who you are, how much money you have, or, of course, how good of a golfer you are,\u201d he said, referring to his initial career plan of becoming a professional golfer.<\/p>\n

\u201cRather, it begins with taking the time to get to know and to thank every person you meet in life\u2026 Success is about serving others.\u201d<\/p>\n

______________________________<\/p>\n

For the Spring 2022 graduates, the occasion was bittersweet.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m very excited to graduate, but I\u2019m very sad to leave this place and the special people that are here,\u201d shared Isabella Escobedo of Grenada, who received a bachelor\u2019s degree in History with a minor in Pre-Law. She plans to attend law school this fall.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had the best time at Delta State, and Delta State has set the bar really high, so my next institution has a lot to live up to.\u201d<\/p>\n

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From left, Delta State President William N. LaForge pictured with graduate Isabella Escobedo of Grenada.<\/p><\/div>\n

Morgan Roehm of Hernando, who received a bachelor\u2019s degree in Biology with a concentration in Pre-Medical Science, agreed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI will always cherish the community here at Delta State. I love everyone that I\u2019ve met here\u2026the people are amazing, and I\u2019ve met lifelong friends,\u201d said Roehm, who is set to attend medical school this fall.<\/p>\n

Brian Fortenberry of Clinton, Miss was one of two doctoral candidates, earning a Doctorate of Professional Studies in Educational Leadership.<\/p>\n

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Delta State’s Dr. Tim Watkins hoods graduate Dr. Brian Fortenberry.<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cMy time at Delta State was really good. I enjoyed getting to know all the professors\u2014everyone was very helpful going through this process. The communication was great\u2026everyone was so supportive and encouraging and gave very good feedback during the dissertation process,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel that Delta State has prepared me for wherever the next level takes me. Being at Delta State has given me a different perspective, and I feel as prepared as I could possibly be.\u201d<\/p>\n

As an international student, graduate Madison Lavoie of Canada said Delta State has literally become her home away from home.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the things that I love about Delta State is that it really is a family\u2026 being from another country, that\u2019s really what I love about being here. Even though I\u2019m far away from home this really is my second family,\u201d said Lavoie, who earned a bachelor\u2019s degree in Exercise Science with a double minor in Allied Health and Coaching.<\/p>\n

Jawone Blankenship of Pensacola, Fla., who earned a bachelor\u2019s degree in Exercise Science, also found a second family as a member of Delta State\u2019s swim team.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt initially took some getting used to coming from a larger city, but I learned to love it,\u201d said Blankenship, who plans to also attend graduate school at DSU. \u201cBeing able to come here and connect with the swim team has been awesome. They\u2019re good people and the esthetics of the team is great. These four years have passed swiftly.\u201d<\/p>\n

Graduate Synethia Mathews of West Point said she\u2019s amazed at everything she has been able to accomplish during her four years at Delta State while earning a Bachelor of Business Administration with concentrations in Computer Information Systems and Marketing.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve done so much at Delta State\u2014from academics to social life\u2014and it feels really good to say I came here, accomplished a lot and have been able to graduate in four years. I\u2019m truly grateful for the experience.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Synethia Mathews of West Point, Miss. after receiving her bachelor’s degree.<\/p><\/div>\n

Mathews said she encourages current and future students of Delta State to take advantage of the array of opportunities available.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018Join In. Stand Out.\u2019 is more than just a tagline. Delta State has many opportunities, so be sure to capitalize on them so that not only will you graduate, but you\u2019ll graduate ready to move on to the next level and excel,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

To view Delta State\u2019s 95th<\/sup> Commencement Exercise on-demand, visit https:\/\/livestream.com\/deltastateuniversity<\/a>.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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