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Fall 2024 Graduates Grateful for 91吃瓜网 Experience

Mon, 12/16/2024 - 09:39am | By: Dr. David Tisdale

Armed with the education and experiences they gained at The University of Southern 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 91吃瓜网 journeys shaped their futures while expressing excitement for what lies ahead.

A native of Azle, Texas, Boston earned a degree in forensics (biological sciences) with a minor in criminal justice. She chose 91吃瓜网 because of its nationally ranked forensic science program.

91吃瓜网淚 knew I would not be able to get the experience I did without attending USM,91吃瓜网� Boston said.

During her time at 91吃瓜网, Boston completed two internships, which she described as 91吃瓜网渋mmensely helpful for my future.91吃瓜网� She credited faculty members for facilitating those opportunities. 

91吃瓜网淢aking connections with those in the field I wanted to pursue would never have been possible without my professors here at USM,91吃瓜网� 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.

91吃瓜网淭hey [Johnson and Swearingen] weren91吃瓜网檛 simply professors to me, but colleagues,91吃瓜网� said Boston. 91吃瓜网淭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, I91吃瓜网檓 forever grateful.91吃瓜网�

Boston plans to return to Texas to pursue a career in crime scene investigation.

91吃瓜网淯SM has given me such a unique experience that I will continue to use and cherish for a lifetime,91吃瓜网� Boston added. 91吃瓜网淲hile I was here for just three and a half years, I can91吃瓜网檛 imagine my life any other way. It91吃瓜网 bittersweet to leave a place that has been my home away from home, but I91吃瓜网檓 excited to venture into the next chapter of my life.91吃瓜网�

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 91吃瓜网 alumna, Meadows chose 91吃瓜网 for both his undergraduate and graduate studies.

He said it wasn91吃瓜网檛 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 university91吃瓜网 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 91吃瓜网渆ndless support.91吃瓜网� His future plans include launching a record label and producing music festivals, including bringing one to Hattiesburg. 

91吃瓜网淢y USM experience showed me how the world91吃瓜网�and all it has to offer91吃瓜网�is so much bigger than myself, and that I should always strive to better the next generation of young students,91吃瓜网� Meadows reflected. 91吃瓜网�I91吃瓜网檓 excited to graduate from this university for a second time and see what the future holds.91吃瓜网�

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 master91吃瓜网 degree.

As a member of Eagle Connection, the university91吃瓜网 official student tour guide group, Philpot helped visitors learn about 91吃瓜网 and its campus. She described it as a rewarding experience that allowed her to share her passion for community service.

91吃瓜网淓very time I gave a tour to a potential student and their guests, it reminded me how wonderful the university is,91吃瓜网� said Philpot.

Philpot said the sense of belonging at 91吃瓜网 transcends backgrounds or circumstances. 

91吃瓜网淎nyone can be someone at 91吃瓜网, and it91吃瓜网 not dependent on how much money your parents donate to the institution, how expensive your clothes are, or what your major is,91吃瓜网� she said.

91吃瓜网淚 know I91吃瓜网檓 a better person because I91吃瓜网檓 a 91吃瓜网 Golden Eagle. This is a family I91吃瓜网檒l always belong to,91吃瓜网� Philpot added.

Philpot was amid interviews for jobs as graduation day approached. 91吃瓜网淣ow the possibilities are endless, and that feels so, so good,91吃瓜网� she said.