U.S. Sen. Roger F. Wicker (R-Miss) (left) and University of Mississippi Chancellor Dan Jones chat on the Grove stage as members of the Class of 2012 file into their seats Saturday morning. Wicker, who was elected to the Senate in 2008, delivered the university's 159th commencement address. UM photo by Robert Jordan.
OXFORD, Miss. – Today’s graduates have joined an exclusive group, since only 6.7 percent of the world’s population has a college diploma, U.S. Sen. Roger F. Wicker told University of Mississippi graduates Saturday morning (May 12) in the Grove, while rain threatened but never materialized.
“You are part of a very elite group, you have a lot of people to share the credit with and we are expecting a lot from you. In fact, we have a lot riding on your success,” said Wicker (R-Miss.), who has been heralded for his statesmanship and diplomacy at the state and federal level.
Wicker said he has been coming to the Grove for as long as he can remember, with his family when he was a child, then as a student and then as the parent of two graduates. His advice to graduate is to use, first, caution and then a sense of history, which leads to a feeling of obligation.
“A lot of people who win the lottery end up going broke,” Wicker said. “Others are sensible and make good use of their fortunes. This is true of civilizations, and it can be true of a generation. Your collective birthright can be squandered on riotous living like the Bible’s Prodigal Son, or it can be used as a foundation for greater opportunity.
“We are witnessing that choice right now, being made on a global scale. So be careful with the bounty that has been bequeathed to you.”
The university’s 159th commencement included 2,395 candidates for degrees, along with 968 August candidates. Graduates and family members gathered to observe the speeches and academic heraldry.
Among the attendees, Michael and Gwen Langhart of Tylertown came to watch their son Alex graduate with a bachelor of arts in psychology.
“My daughter graduated from here four years ago, and my wife went here, so we are tickled to death,” said Michael Langhart. “Alex has always wanted to come to Ole Miss, and he has loved being here.”
Gwen Langhart said she was excited to be on campus. “It is so emotional to see my child graduate from my alma mater,” she said. “Having graduation in the Grove is unique and it’s something they’ll always remember. It gives it a more emotional attachment.”
Vicki Robinson was excited to be in the Grove for the first time on an overcast day to watch Kenny Spach of Addison, Texas, graduate with a bachelor’s degree in management.
“I am very proud of my nephew and I am very impressed with Ole Miss,” said Robinson, of Versailles, Ky., who was in Oxford with eight other relatives.
Wicker encouraged the graduates to look into the future to see their potential.
“Ole Miss needs best-selling authors,” he said. “They make large donations and get things named after them. But we also need people to read to a child. And if you can’t be a world-famous preacher, you can teach Sunday school. If your concerts don’t sell out a stadium, there’s always community theater.
“We expect scientific discoveries and inventions from some of you, but we will also need judges for the science fair. The contributions you make – as a citizen, parent, neighbor and friend – will reflect on Ole Miss, and you will be part of an inspiring tradition.”
Following the general ceremony, the College of Liberal Arts and the Oxford campus’ eight schools held separate ceremonies to present baccalaureate, master’s, doctor of pharmacy and law diplomas. Former Gov. William Winter was the speaker for the School of Law and Andy Lack was the speaker for the Meek School of Journalism and New Media.
Recipients of doctor of philosophy degrees were honored at a hooding ceremony Friday evening in the Ford Center.
A Pontotoc native, Wicker earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and political science at Ole Miss in 1973, then graduated from the UM School of Law in 1975. He serves as the Senate’s deputy whip and is a member of the Armed Services Committee; the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee; the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee; and the Veterans Affairs Committee.
During the ceremony, John O’Haver, associate dean of engineering for academic and student affairs, director of the Center for Mathematics and Science Education and professor of chemical engineering, was honored as the recipient of the 2011 Elsie M. Hood Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award, presented annually to the campuswide outstanding teacher.
Atef Elsherbeni, associate dean for research and graduate programs and professor of engineering, was named recipient of the university’s fifth Distinguished Research and Creative Achievement Award.
The university also recognized winners of this year’s Frist Student Service Awards: Eric Weber, assistant professor of public policy leadership, and Dewey Knight, associate director of financial aid.
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