Mississippi State University-Meridian held its spring commencement Thursday at the MSU Riley Center downtown, conferring degrees on its largest group of graduates since the campus was founded in the early 1970s.

In total, 200 students earned specialist, master’s and bachelor’s degrees during spring graduation.

In his keynote address, MSU President Mark E. Keenum congratulated the graduates for their journey to achieve their educational goals.

“It’s not easy earning a college degree, especially with all of the things many of you have to deal with,” he told the graduates. “Some of you are even raising families at home and have a job full time and other obligations.

“But you stayed focused and committed to your education for the betterment of your life and your community and all of those around you,” he said. “For so many of you, it’s a dream. You’ve dreamed of earning a college degree or a graduate degree, and it’s really a joy to be here with you and experience your dream coming true.”

Keenum said helping students achieve their dreams is the goal of MSU-Meridian.

“That’s what this campus is all about, helping people live their dreams, earn their education, so you can go out and make a difference, having a positive impact in this world,” he said.

Thursday’s graduation made history for MSU-Meridian with the campus awarding its first ever honorary degree, the Doctor of Public Service, with Keenum bestowing the honor on Meridian businessman Martin “Marty” Davidson.

Gov. Tate Reeves and First Lady Elee Reeves were in attendance to witness as Keenum conferred the honor on Davidson, a friend of the governor.

Bruce Martin, of Meridian, president of the 12-member Board of Trustees of the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning, also was in attendance, as well as newest college board appointee Charles “Charlie” Stephenson.

Davidson is chairman of Southern Pipe & Supply Company, based in Meridian, and a member of the Mississippi Business Hall of Fame. He also sits on the board of philanthropic organizations, The Riley Foundation, where he serves as president, and The Phil Hardin Foundation.

“Marty Davidson is truly an outstanding visionary business leader and a pillar of his beloved community,” Keenum said. “He is a man of great faith who is devoted to his family and to his many friends. He truly lives out the timeless values of integrity and hard work and respect for others.”

Keenum said Davidson deserved to be recognized with the honorary doctorate degree for all of his business and community contributions, especially to Mississippi State and the Meridian campus.

“It’s for all of these reasons, his outstanding professional achievements and contributions to his community, his steadfast support for Mississippi State that he is well deserving of our university’s highest honor that we can bestow upon any individual,” Keenum said, drawing a loud round applause from the audience.

Davidson expressed his gratitude to university officials for the honor and humbly told the audience he has tried to live his life in a way so that he leaves the world in a better place than when he came into it.

“My mother, Frances Davidson, was raised in an extremely poor family in Birmingham, Alabama. Her father, a Polish immigrant, lost everything he had during the Great Depression,” Davidson said. “Mother made me promise her that if I became successful I would give back to those less fortunate. I’ve tried to keep that promise to my mother. Thank you for this incredible honor.”