MSU held in-person graduation ceremonies Wednesday

The coronavirus pandemic did not stop Mississippi State University from holding four in-person commencement ceremonies Wednesday.

Mississippi state university held its first in-person commencement since the coronavirus pandemic began back in march.

Wtva's rhea thornton is in oktibbeha county where she spoke with those involved in the graduation ceremony.

I'm outside of humphrey coliseum on mississippi state's campus where the university held 4 in-person commencement ceremonies for fall 2020 graduates.

I spoke with sid salter earlier and he said these ceremonies saw a few changes to the normal celebration.

Together for us ."

"we're doing it socially distanced, with a mask requirement.

We're limiting the number of parents, grandparents, and friends who can share in it."

Over 16 hundred students walked across the stage inside humphrey coliseum today in their cap and gowns.

Salter said president keenum pushed for today's ceremonies because of the importance of the event to students and their families.

Sid salter - chief communications officer at msu: "dr. keenum saw the level of disappointment not only with the students but with their parents and grandparents and i don't think that he wanted to repeat that again."

In order to make today happen, everyone wore in order to make today happen, everyone wore masks and were socially distanced.

Also, graduates only received four tickets for guests.

But even with the limited number of guests, secondary education graduate erica lowery said she was just glad to have something at all... erica lowery - secondary education graduate at msu: "i really almost cried.

I've been working for this for so long so being able to actually get to graduate and actually be in person to do it, it felt really great knowing they were going to try and put something together for us.

It was great."

After a difficult year and many struggles, salter said president keenum wanted to reward his students.

Sid salter - chief communications officer at msu: "it was important that we find a way to let these students have some recognition and reward for getting to the finish line in what he is called the most difficult semester in the history of the institution."

And all the university leaders' hard work hasn't gone unnoticed.

"being able to actually be with everybody and graduate was really great.

It was something that i was very proud that they put together for us."

For those who missed the commencement ceremony, mississippi state recorded each ceremony and it is available on their website.

Reporting live in starkville, rhea thornton wtva 9 news.

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