School of Agriculture honors graduates during Third Annual Graduate Recognition Program and Reception
Alcorn State University’s School of Agriculture, Research, Extension and Applied Sciences hosted its third annual Graduate Recognition Program and Reception on April 27, 2015 in The Ray Johnson Assembly Center on Alcorn’s campus. The event celebrates the academic achievements of the class of 2015 within the Departments of Agriculture, Advanced Technologies, and Human Sciences. Zakeus Johnson, senior, agribusiness management major and Student Government Association president, presided over the ceremony.
Quintarius Grigsby, Class of ’13, and a graduate student in agricultural economics, offered words of encouragement to the future graduates.
“I am proud to stand before a class of students who are able to push beyond the pressures of life,” Grigsby said. “We all have the ability to tap into our creative resources and help each other along the way.”
Ashley Clark, senior, child development major, introduced keynote speaker, Rashad Delph, who serves as director of talent branding, pipeline strategy and global mobility for Tyson Foods, Incorporated. He greeted the graduating seniors with words of encouragement and advice on the challenges they will face after college.
“As you look at where you are going in life, you will realize that it’s time to find out what you are going to do in life,” Delph said. “It is important to remember the foundation that your parents instilled within each of you.”
Delph challenged the graduates to use the resources and tools available to their advantage. He expressed the significance of agriculture to the rest of the world and the importance of remaining true to themselves. The speaker also encouraged the graduates to give back to their communities and to make their education a meaningful impact on others.
In recognition of honor graduates, Dr. Kwabena Agyepong, chair, Department of Advanced Technologies, Dr. Wesley Whittaker, interim assistant dean, School of Agriculture, Research, Extension and Applied Sciences, and Dr. Carrie Ford, chair, Department of Human Sciences, awarded them with memorable gifts.
To honor the passing of student, Victor Quinn, biomedical engineering technology major, a posthumous degree was presented to his wife, Britni Quinn, by Dr. Igwebuike and Dr. Ivory W. Lyles, interim dean, School of Agriculture, Research, Extension and Applied Sciences and director of land-grant programs. Quinn was accompanied by family members.
Dr. Lyles gave closing remarks to the audience and presented the keynote speaker with a plaque.
“A lot of the things we do in academia could not have been achieved without the help of our many supporters,” Lyles said. “The last six months have shown us that many great things are happening in the school of AREAS.”
