By Staff
Special to The Star
Dec. 17, 2000
Wanda Laird of Meridian didn't kiss her daughter, Stephanie, good-bye and send her off to college Wanda went with her.
Mother and daughter were among 100 graduates honored Saturday at Mississippi State University-Meridian Campus' commencement ceremonies.
Wanda Laird received a bachelor's degree in business administration, while Stephanie Laird majored in marketing.
Twin sisters Rhonda and Wanda Powe of Meridian make up another family tag-team who elected to study together at MSU-Meridian. Both completed master's degrees in school counseling and teach in the Meridian Public School District.
Powe said that while they made the journey together, it was important for each to work toward her own potential a philosophy she also instills in her pupils.
A total of 57 undergraduate and 43 graduate students received diplomas and congratulations from Dean Bev. R. Norment and division chairs representing the four academic areas at the Meridian Campus.
The graduating class, representing a blend of young, traditional-age college students and mature, non-traditional adult learners, hailed from four states and 23 Mississippi towns.
Members of the class of 2000 were inspired by the words of guest speaker Sen. Terry Burton, D-Newton, who spoke on the power of perseverance.
Burton said he remains inspired by the "can-do attitude" of two important women in his life his mother, who was badly burned as a child, and his daughter, Patricia Dawn Powell, who was seated among the graduates.
Norment welcomed the new graduates into the MSU family with the sound of a cowbell, and was joined by faculty from the MSU Starkville campus and Meridian Campus in recognizing the graduates for their accomplishments.
Steve Taylor, president of the MSU Alumni Association, also welcomed the new alumni and urged them to remain close to their alma mater.