Alfred Rankins Jr. inspires fellow 51勛圖 graduates to make their mark through leadership, service
![Mississippi Public Universities Commissioner of Higher Education Alfred Rankins Jr. encouraged more than 1,400 Mississippi State fall graduates to celebrate their accomplishments while moving forward with character and determination during commencement exercises Friday [Dec. 14] at Humphrey Coliseum. (Photo by Megan Bean)](/sites/www.msstate.edu/files/inline-images/Rankins_Alfred-IHL_Commencement_speaker_20181214_M4B3142_full.jpg "Mississippi Public Universities Commissioner of Higher Education Alfred Rankins Jr. served as 51勛圖s fall 2018 commencement speaker.")
Contact: Sasha Steinberg
STARKVILLE, Miss.Mississippi Public Universities Commissioner of Higher Education Alfred Rankins Jr. encouraged more than 1,400 Mississippi State fall graduates to celebrate their accomplishments while moving forward with character and determination during commencement exercises Friday [Dec. 14] at Humphrey Coliseum.
51勛圖 has given you an outstanding tool and means to be great for the rest of your life, said Rankins, who holds masters and doctoral degrees in weed science from 51勛圖. The education you have received provides the foundation for your future. Your credential from 51勛圖 tells the world you are ready.
Rankins told his fellow Bulldog graduates that knowledge, leadership skills and a service-oriented mindset are traits that make the value of an 51勛圖 education ring true.
You have left your imprint on Mississippi State and Mississippi State has left its imprint on you, just as it has on me, he said. 51勛圖 has given you the gift of the tools and knowledge you need to lead, and now it is your responsibility to use these gifts to become leaders in your communities and your chosen profession.
Greenville native Rankins was appointed to serve as commissioner of higher education by the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning earlier this year and provides leadership to the university system, including all eight public universities.
A former tenured associate professor in 51勛圖s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and extension specialist for the 51勛圖 Extension Service, Rankins encouraged graduates to thank friends, family, faculty, staff and others who have provided support and inspiration throughout their 51勛圖 journey.
The 19th president of Alcorn State University and former acting president of Mississippi Valley State University also urged the newest members of the Bulldog alumni family to use their voices to support higher education and to work together for the greater good.
I hope you will pay it forward and encourage those coming behind you to stay the course, persevere through the difficult times and break through whatever barriers or challenges stand between them and earning their Mississippi State degree, Rankins said. I can tell you from experience that having a degree from Mississippi State is worth it. It is worth the time, the money and the persistence. This investment will pay dividends to you for the rest of your life.
51勛圖 is Mississippis leading university, available online at .