September 8, 2023
Pearl River Community College welcomed Mississippi State University President Dr. Mark Keenum onto the Poplarville campus on Wednesday, September 6, to speak with students. He discussed his firsthand experiences with community colleges and Mississippi State along with opportunities current PRCC students can have in their futures.
PRCC President Dr. Adam Breerwood welcomed Dr. Keenum onto campus.
“He is the most highly respected gentleman I know in terms of leading the state in education,” said Breerwood. “His institution is leading our effort in so many different areas and is putting the state of Mississippi on the map.”
Keenum’s talk began with a personal history, including his first encounter with Pearl River Community College. While a Northeast Mississippi Community College student, he played on the Northeast Tiger football team, ranked #1 in the nation and undefeated (9-0.) Until their final game against the Pearl River Wildcats, where the Tigers “got their tails whipped.”
Along with a walk through his educational and professional journey, he shared about his triplets beginning their college careers at Mississippi State University this fall. His hope and pride for each of his children shone through as he described moving them into the dorms and the programs they are currently pursuing.
He then segued into what can be called a comparative history lesson for students in 2023 versus those who attended college in 1923. Both student groups sat in class at the most technologically advanced time in their history on the cusp of transformative innovation that forever changed the world.
“You are going to see some amazing things in the years to come,” said Keenum. “We spend a lot of time on our campus thinking about the future. We’re engaged in some of the most innovative fields of science and technology on planet Earth.”
MSU is recognized as one of the leading research universities in the nation. Keenum highlighted several Mississippi State University programs leading the pack in innovation, including Unmanned Aviation, Robotics, precision farming, and supercomputing.
“I want you to be part of helping to address some of the key challenges; to be able to be one of the leaders in one of these innovative fields I’m talking about,” said Keenum. “To make a difference in this world and have an impact in your community, hopefully in the state of Mississippi, and most assuredly in our world.
“Think about your futures and what opportunities abound.”
ABOUT DR. MARK KEENUM
Keenum attended Northeast Mississippi Community College before transferring to Mississippi State University, where he graduated with his bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees in agricultural economics. He began his employment with MSU in 1984, moving through various roles before switching to an adjunct faculty position in 1997. From 1989- 2007, he worked with Senator Than Cochran, first as a legislative assistant for agriculture and natural resources and then as chief of staff. In 2006, Keenum was named the Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services.
Keenum became the 19th President of MS State University in January 2009.
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Article by Laura O’Neill. Photography by Jacob Cochran.
