MSU President Keenum visits with Corinth Students

Dr. Mark Keenum, president of Mississippi State University since 2009, visited with Corinth High School seniors and juniors this week. His visit marked a homecoming because Keenum is a 1979 alumnus of Corinth High School. He attended high school at the current Corinth Middle School campus. “I’m proud to be a graduate of Corinth High School,” said Keenum. “I have a lot of great memories from my time here.”

Keenum began the afternoon by meeting and eating lunch with juniors in the top 30% academically of their class. The students enjoyed the opportunity to talk to him one-on-one. “I thought that it was very cool that a college president would take the time to come talk to our junior class,” said Henry Ellenburg. “During lunch, we talked about Dr. Keenum's high school experience. He asked me and the others at our table about our interests, where we are from, and what we are involved in. Through his visit, I realized that Dr. Keenum is a down-to-earth person and he cares about education and students, even if they don't go to MSU.” 

After lunch, he met with the current seniors who are planning to attend Mississippi State this fall. His first piece of advice stressed the importance of attending class every day and getting involved in whatever interested them. Speaking to them about orientation this summer, he emphasized that they would learn a lot of information but to not get overwhelmed by it. “If you don’t know who to go to or where to go, just come to my office and find me,” Keenum said. “We’ll figure it out together and get you where you need to go.”

His final advice was to finish strong, enjoy the summer and get ready for a wonderful time in their lives. “You are going to be a part of my family and we are all here for you,” said Keenum. 

After meeting with the seniors, he met with the entire junior class to speak about the culture, academic programs and student opportunities available at Mississippi State. “Mississippi State is the most comprehensive university in the state of Mississippi and a top research university in the country,” Keenum said. “What do I mean by that? It means you can be anything you want to be. Whatever you can envision yourself in, we have a program and pathway that will get you there.”

Several highlighted programs included degrees in education, engineering, agriculture, culinary arts, art, interior design, architecture, veterinary medicine, artificial intelligence and building construction science. 

During his talk, he remarked on the wonderful education he received at Corinth. “You are getting a great education at Corinth,” said Keenum. “I get asked questions from students and when I was your age, I wondered the same thing, ‘Am I really ready for college?’ If you get your diploma from this high school, you are ready for college. Corinth High School is a fabulous school and you will be ready for your next step in life.”

Keenum emphasized that the community is what truly sets Mississippi State apart. “At Mississippi State, we all have one thing in common--we are all bulldogs,” said Keenum. “We look out for one another, care for one another and love one another. On our campus, we have values. We want you to have integrity, a good work ethic and to be respectful of other people. Pretty simple. If you graduate from State, you’ll be known for those values too.”

The afternoon ended with group photo of Corinth teachers and staff who attended or who have a child who attends/attended Mississippi State University. Additionally, the school presented him with a hand painted MSU and Corinth Warriors cowbell, painted by Jennifer LeGoff, the CHS art teacher. 

The day marked a full-circle moment for Corinth High School that began almost fifty years ago. 

As a true Corinthian, on his way out of town, Keenum made a quick stop first. “When I leave here, I am going to make a run downtown. Going to Dilworth’s to get a whole cooler full of hot tamales,” said Keenum. “I’m going to be a hero when I get home tonight.”