See 2024 keynote speakers at these Mississippi university and college commencements
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Graduation season is officially in full swing.
One of the most notable aspects of a university or college's commencement ceremony is its keynote speaker, who provides some words of wisdom as the graduating students enter the next phase in their lives.
Some universities, such as Belhaven, have already conducted graduation ceremonies. Read on to see who will speak at some of Mississippi's other universities and colleges.
Jackson State University
Jackson State University will feature two commencement speakers this year, both of whom are Jackson State alumni.
Who: U.S. District Judge Carlton W. Reeves
When: 9 a.m., May 3
Where: Lee E. Williams Athletics and Assembly Center
Judge Carlton W. Reeves currently serves as chair of the United States Sentencing Commission. In addition to this role, Reeves has served as a U.S. District judge since 2010, when he was nominated by former President Barack Obama.
Reeves, a Yazoo City native, graduated from Jackson State with a degree in political science in 1986.
Who: U.S. Sen. Laphonza Butler
When: 9 a.m., May 4
Where: Veterans Memorial Stadium
Sen. Laphonza Butler, a native of Magnolia, was recently appointed to the Senate following Sen. Dianne Feinstein's death in September 2023.
Prior to serving as a senator, Butler became the first Black woman to serve as president of EMILY's List, a political action committee that supports female Democratic candidates who run on a platform of supporting abortion rights within the U.S.
Both keynote speeches will be live streamed on Jackson State's Facebook page and Youtube channel.
Tougaloo College
Tougaloo College will have two keynote speakers for two different ceremonies on Sunday, May 5.
Who: Cornell William Brooks
When: 8 a.m., May 5
Where: Historic Woodworth Chapel
Cornell William Brooks, professor of the practice of nonprofit organizations and professor of the practice of public leadership and social justice in the Harvard Kennedy School, will speak at the baccalaureate ceremony Sunday morning.
Brooks is also the former president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and a former Civil Rights Attorney.
Who: Marcia L. Fudge
When: 10 a.m., May 5
Where: Campus Green
Former Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Marcia L. Fudge will speak at Tougaloo's general commencement ceremony Sunday morning on the green space in front of the Historic Woodworth Chapel.
As the 18th Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Fudge worked to support low income families by expanding affordable housing.
Alcorn State
Who: Montell Jordan
When:
Golden Class of 1974, College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, Graduate Studies and School of Nursing: 9 a.m., May 11
College of Arts and Sciences, School of Business and School of Education and Psychology: 1 p.m., May 11
Where: Both of the above will take place in the Dave L. Whitney HPER Complex
Grammy Award-winning artist and recipient of the 2023 Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award, Montell Jordan, will speak at Alcorn State's commencement ceremonies on May 11.
Montell, also an author and pastor, is best known for his 1995 hit "This Is How We Do It," which also includes Coolio, TLC and Madonna.
Montell's musical career began when a professor at Pepperdine University told the student he regretted not pursuing music. Montell left his set path to law school and pursued his dreams.
After the success of his musical career, Montell became a minister, answering what he considers his true calling. Today, he runs the nonprofit Marriage Masterpeace with his wife, Kristin Jordan.
The commencement ceremonies will also include members of the graduating class of 1974 to celebrate its 50 year anniversary.
Mississippi State University
Starkville campus:
Who: Mark E. Keenum
When:
ACCESS Program, College of Business and College of Education: 3:30 p.m., May 9
College of Arts and Sciences, College of Professional and Continuing Studies and College of Architecture, Art and Design: 9:30 a.m., May 10
Academic Affairs, Bagley College of Engineering, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, College of Forest Resources and College of Veterinary Medicine: 3:30 p.m., May 10
Where: All of the above will take place in the Humphrey Coliseum
Meridian Campus:
Who: Mark E. Keenum
When: 11 a.m., May 9
Where: MSU Riley Center, Meridian campus
Mississippi State University president Mark E. Keenum will serve as commencement speaker for his university.
Keenum, the university's 19th president, has served in his role since 2009. He has also served as commencement speaker on several occasions.
University of Mississippi
Who: Wright Thompson
When: 9 a.m., May 11
Where: The University of Mississippi Grove
ESPN senior writer Wright Thompson will serve as keynote speaker for the University of Mississippi's commencement ceremony.
Thompson, a Mississippi native, has also authored three books including "The Best American Sports Writing," "The Cost of These Dreams: Sports Stories and Other Serious Business" and "Pappyland: A Story of Family, Fine Bourbon and the Things That Last."
Thompson's upcoming book, "The Barn" focuses on the death of Emmett Till, a Black teen tortured and murdered in 1955 while he was visiting Mississippi.
More in education news: See which Mississippi high school earned the highest ranking from U.S. News list
University of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg campus:
Who: Joe Paul
When: All commencement ceremonies:
All doctoral, specialist and master's students: 5 p.m., May 9
College of Business and Economic Development and the College of Education and Human Sciences: 9 a.m., May 10
College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Nursing and Health Professions: 2 p.m., May 10
Where: All of the above will take place in the Bernard Reed Green Coliseum
Gulf Park campus:
Who: Joe Paul
When: 3 p.m., May 11
Where: Mississippi Coast Coliseum, Biloxi
The University of Southern Mississippi's commencement will be the university's own president Joe Paul.
Southern has several commencement ceremonies scheduled for different colleges starting May 9 and ending May 11 with a ceremony on the Gulf Park campus.
All except the Gulf Park campus commencement will take place at the Bernard Reed Green Coliseum and will open with a speech from Paul.
Joe Paul has served as Southern's president since 2022.
U.S. Speaker visits MS: U.S. Speaker Mike Johnson shares experience as Christian politician, speaks at Jackson Prep
Mississippi College
Who: Gayle Wicker
When: 5:30 p.m., May 2
When: Mississippi College Quad
Mississippi College alum Gayle Wicker will speak at the college's central ceremony on May 2.
Wicker served as Mississippi College student body president in 1971, the first woman to do so.
Wicker, a Tupelo native, also made Mississippi College history when she became the first female admissions counselor shortly after she graduated.
The central ceremony will include celebrations for all students before individual ceremonies that night.
Millsaps
Who: Keith Dunn
When: 9:30 a.m., May 11
Where: The Bowl
Interim President Keith Dunn will give opening remarks at the Millsaps general commencement ceremony on May 11. Millsaps recently announced Frank Neville will take over from Dunn in June as the college's 12th president.
William Carey University
William Carey University will have two commencement speakers at different ceremonies due to the size of this year's graduating class.
Both commencement ceremonies will take place in the Temple Baptist Church in Hattiesburg.
Who: Michael Heindl
When: 10 a.m., May 10
Where: Temple Baptist Church
Michael Heindl, the president of Northwest Mississippi Community College will speak at the first of the two commencement ceremonies.
Who: Mary Graham
When: 2 p.m., May 10
Where: Temple Baptist Church
The second commencement ceremony will feature a keynote speech from Mary Graham, president of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.
Got a news tip? Contact Mary Boyte at mboyte@jackson.gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Commencement speakers for 2024 Mississippi colleges
