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November 2008 |
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December 2007 graduating class hears from "famous bulldogs" |
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Sunday, 16 December 2007 |
By KELLY DANIELS
Starkville Daily News
Two "famous bulldogs" paid a visit to Mississippi State University this weekend in order to celebrate with the December 2007 graduating class and see the students off with a commencement address.
Speaking Friday was Kent Hull, National Football League veteran and former center for the MSU football team.
Before he retired from football in 1997, Hull played for the Buffalo Bills during their record consecutive appearances in the Super Bowl from 1991-1994 and also for three Pro Bowl appearances. For seven of his eleven year career with the Buffalo Bills, Hull was team captain.
His athletic hall of fame memberships include the Greater Buffalo, Mississippi State and Mississippi.
Be confident, not arrogant
"Life is not smooth," said Hull, who remembered his own "bumps in the road," such as when he was thrown into the starting position in 1979, his nervousness made him forget to snap the ball.
"I was so nervous, I had forgotten I was the center," said Hull.
"These little bumps are going to seem like mountains, but they are just bumps, I promise you.
"You're gonna look at them and think, 'there's no way,' but there's a way. I promise you."
For success in the future, Hull emphasized the necessity of confidence without arrogance.
"You're prepared; you wouldn't be sitting here if you weren't prepared," said Hull.
"This world is not looking for anyone who is arrogant," he continued, adding that confidence was the key ingredient for effective leadership.
"This world needs more leaders, more people who can lead guide and direct," said Hull. "Sooner or later you are going to be asked to lead, guide and direct, not just a few people, but a room full of people.
"And never forget that you are a graduate of Mississippi State University. You're a dog forever, now."
A speaker from a different background
Jenny R. Manley, Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Thad Cochran, delivered a more introspective message Saturday as she gave her second commencement address to MSU graduates; her first address was for a class graduating one semester ahead of her in December of 2000.
Both a Stennis and a Schilling scholar, Manley was the second woman to ever be elected Student Association President.
The Oxford native, whom MSU President Robert H. "Doc" Foglesong calls "the real thing," was also Miss MSU and a member of both the University Honors Program, which is now Shackhouls Honors College, and the Society of Scholars.
Following her summa cum laude graduation, she began working for Cochran, and she recently served as communications director for the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Ask "why?" instead of "what?"
"The very reason you are on this journey is what makes you all different," said Manley who learned after she graduated from MSU that it was more important to ask why she pursed a goal, instead of what she was pursuing.
"We live in a world obsessed with the whats of life," Manley continued, referencing the typical question, "What do you do?" asked when people first meet. "The more penetrating question, the question we could ask if we really want to know the person, is 'why, do you do what you do?'
"The question, 'what?' is safe, but the question, 'why?' cuts to the very center of who we are and our motivations," said Manley, giving the hypothetical example of a possible need for a specialist doctor and a choice between two.
"If you had two doctors with equal whats - both have good certifications and went to good medical schools and have good practices - do you want the one who takes joy in restoring health to his patients, or do you want the one who craves the power of holding a life in his hands?"
Referencing Ecclesiastes of the Old Testament, Manley retold the story of how King Solomon had every "what" one could imagine.
"Imagine the most outlandish 'Cribs' episode you've ever seen," said Manley. "But at the end of it, what did he say? 'Meaningless, Meaningless, life is meaningless.' "
Using her own experience of trying only to "make a name" for herself, Manley warned the graduates that they would not ultimately be satisfied with the whats they want.
"If you understand that if it is the 'what' that drives you, you will always be unfulfilled," said Manley. "My prayer for you today is that you will look back on your life and say, 'Meaningful, Meaningful, life is meaningful.' "
Administrators reported 1,200 candidates for graduation for December 2007.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 17 December 2007 )
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 |  |  |  |  | | Before our prayer of thanks for the big meal, each person
gets 2 kernels of corn. We pass around a small basket. As we each drop in the
kernels we share 2 things that we are thankful for during the past year. Later on
each person writes what they shared in our family journal and again on a plain white
cotton dish towel with a fabric pen. The dish towel is given as a gift to the
family who joined us that day to help them remember our celebration together and our
blessings from the Lord. - Linda Temme (Angola, IN)
After my husband and I moved away from Mississippi family
gatherings became more important than ever. We hold several traditions close to our
hearts. My cousin Susan (Good) Craig always makes the dressing. It was handed down
from my my Great - Grandmother Good. She used to say, " stand back kids - I gotta
stir the dressing." We still carry on this "stand back tradition" even though we
really don't know why we have to step back....My Dad, Johnny Upchurch
always fries the turkey and we all clamor to get the first sample.
Another tradition that my Mom, Nancie Upchurch, started is our annual "killer
dominos" game after the big meal. Even though the big meal is the main attraction
we never forgot all of our blessings and how much family means to each of us. Happy
Thanksgiving! - Robin Walters (Canton, GA) My sister & I cook everything for the entire family (parents,
neices, nephews, aunts, uncles & more). Our invitations always say something about
it's time to gather & give thanks for our bountiful blessings. It also says come,
enjoy and bring only your appetite. We use the china, crystal & silver - it's our
gift to our family. We are blessed! - Sharon Helms (Montgomery, AL)
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