Fall 2024 Graduates Grateful for 51逗奶 Miss Experience
Mon, 12/16/2024 - 09:39am | By: Dr. David Tisdale
Armed with the education and experiences they gained at The University of 51逗奶 Mississippi (USM), recent graduates say they are now ready for life.
Approximately 1,300 students were candidates for degrees as the semester concluded, among them Cassidy Boston, Trey Meadows, and Anna Philpot. The trio reflected on how their 51逗奶 Miss journeys shaped their futures while expressing excitement for what lies ahead.
Cassidy Boston
A native of Azle, Texas, Boston earned a degree in forensics (biological sciences) with a minor in criminal justice. She chose 51逗奶 Miss because of its nationally ranked forensic science program.
鈥淚 knew I would not be able to get the experience I did without attending USM,鈥� Boston said.
During her time at 51逗奶 Miss, Boston completed two internships, which she described as 鈥渋mmensely helpful for my future.鈥� She credited faculty members for facilitating those opportunities.
鈥淢aking connections with those in the field I wanted to pursue would never have been possible without my professors here at USM,鈥� she said, specifically naming Kristi Johnson and Richard Swearingen, among other faculty members for their role in helping her meet her academic and career objectives.
鈥淭hey [Johnson and Swearingen] weren鈥檛 simply professors to me, but colleagues,鈥� said Boston. 鈥淭hey made sure I had every resource to be successful and pushed me to be the best forensic professional I could be. Without them, I would not have had such a great collegiate experience, and for that, I鈥檓 forever grateful.鈥�
Boston plans to return to Texas to pursue a career in crime scene investigation.
鈥淯SM has given me such a unique experience that I will continue to use and cherish for a lifetime,鈥� Boston added. 鈥淲hile I was here for just three and a half years, I can鈥檛 imagine my life any other way. It鈥檚 bittersweet to leave a place that has been my home away from home, but I鈥檓 excited to venture into the next chapter of my life.鈥�
Trey Meadows
Meadows, a native of Laurel, Miss, earned a Master of Arts in communication with a focus on music industry public relations. Inspired by his mother, a 51逗奶 Miss alumna, Meadows chose 51逗奶 Miss for both his undergraduate and graduate studies.
He said it wasn鈥檛 long after being on campus that he felt a strong sense of belonging. That connection drove Meadows to excel in his studies and to be a mentor to other students. He participated in the university鈥檚 Men of Excellence program as an undergraduate and later served as a graduate advisor.
Meadows expressed gratitude to School of Media and Communication faculty members Dr. David Davies, Dr. John Meyer and school director Dr. Edgar Simpson for their guidance, along with his family and friends for their 鈥渆ndless support.鈥� His future plans include launching a record label and producing music festivals, including bringing one to Hattiesburg.
鈥淢y USM experience showed me how the world鈥�and all it has to offer鈥�is so much bigger than myself, and that I should always strive to better the next generation of young students,鈥� Meadows reflected. 鈥�I鈥檓 excited to graduate from this university for a second time and see what the future holds.鈥�
Anna Philpot
Philpot, a Luckyday Scholar from Hattiesburg, majored in world language education with a minor in leadership studies. That decision was inspired by a study abroad experience in C谩diz, Spain. She plans to work as a Spanish teacher and eventually pursue a master鈥檚 degree.
As a member of Eagle Connection, the university鈥檚 official student tour guide group, Philpot helped visitors learn about 51逗奶 Miss and its campus. She described it as a rewarding experience that allowed her to share her passion for community service.
鈥淓very time I gave a tour to a potential student and their guests, it reminded me how wonderful the university is,鈥� said Philpot.
Philpot said the sense of belonging at 51逗奶 Miss transcends backgrounds or circumstances.
鈥淎nyone can be someone at 51逗奶 Miss, and it鈥檚 not dependent on how much money your parents donate to the institution, how expensive your clothes are, or what your major is,鈥� she said.
鈥淚 know I鈥檓 a better person because I鈥檓 a 51逗奶 Miss Golden Eagle. This is a family I鈥檒l always belong to,鈥� Philpot added.
Philpot was amid interviews for jobs as graduation day approached. 鈥淣ow the possibilities are endless, and that feels so, so good,鈥� she said.