Alfred Rankins Jr. inspires fellow 桃花直播 graduates to make their mark through leadership, service
![桃花直播 Public Universities Commissioner of Higher Education Alfred Rankins Jr. encouraged more than 1,400 桃花直播 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 "桃花直播 Public Universities Commissioner of Higher Education Alfred Rankins Jr. served as 桃花直播鈥檚 fall 2018 commencement speaker.")
Contact: Sasha Steinberg
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥斕一ㄖ辈 Public Universities Commissioner of Higher Education Alfred Rankins Jr. encouraged more than 1,400 桃花直播 State fall graduates to celebrate their accomplishments while moving forward with character and determination during commencement exercises Friday [Dec. 14] at Humphrey Coliseum.
鈥溙一ㄖ辈 has given you an outstanding tool and means to be great for the rest of your life,鈥 said Rankins, who holds master鈥檚 and doctoral degrees in weed science from 桃花直播. 鈥淭he education you have received provides the foundation for your future. Your credential from 桃花直播 tells the world you are ready.鈥
Rankins told his fellow Bulldog graduates that knowledge, leadership skills and a service-oriented mindset are traits that make the value of an 桃花直播 education ring true.
鈥淵ou have left your imprint on 桃花直播 State and 桃花直播 State has left its imprint on you, just as it has on me,鈥 he said. 鈥溙一ㄖ辈 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.鈥
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 桃花直播鈥檚 College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and extension specialist for the 桃花直播 Extension Service, Rankins encouraged graduates to thank friends, family, faculty, staff and others who have provided support and inspiration throughout their 桃花直播 journey.
The 19th president of Alcorn State University and former acting president of 桃花直播 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.
鈥淚 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 桃花直播 State degree,鈥 Rankins said. 鈥淚 can tell you from experience that having a degree from 桃花直播 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.鈥
桃花直播 is 桃花直播鈥檚 leading university, available online at .