Change in commencement dates announced by JSU President Carolyn W. Meyers

Many students at Jackson State University are completing their final course work, getting cleared for graduation and anxiously awaiting the announcement of the 2016 spring commencement speakers.

On Feb. 23, JSU President Carolyn W. Meyers released a memo which read:

“I am delighted to announce that Jackson State University’s 2016 Commencement Exercises will be moved up one week to accommodate the schedules of high profile speakers.  This is an extraordinary move but reflects the prominence of the speakers.  According to our best experts here this does not affect accreditation or the awarding of degrees.  I am not at liberty at this time to reveal the speaker but will let you know as soon as this liberty is granted.”

President Meyers continued: “As we are roughly two months out, this notice should afford faculty, staff, graduates and their families as well as friends the opportunity to change their travel arrangements.”

News of the change quickly spread via social media and word of mouth, as graduates with mixed emotions scrambled to inform their loved ones of the change.

“It’s an inconvenience to those of us who have been proactive in spreading the news to our friends and loved ones.  I can only pray that whomever the speaker is, it is worth the inconvenience,” said Charence Higgins, 2015-2016 Miss JSU and a senior dual theatre and psychology major from Madison, Miss.

Devin Mason, a senior biology major from New Orleans, La., is also feeling the rush.

“With the graduation being moved up a week, I honestly feel I’m being rushed to hurry up and get my things together as far as my family. They had already made arrangements to come out here and now they have to move everything forward,” said Mason.

Cameron Johnson, a senior criminal justice major from New Orleans, La., is pleased to graduate early but does understand the inconveniences many will now suffer.

“Well, the date of graduation definitely affects my family a lot because they are coming from all around and have set their sights on the original day. They will have to change the days they took off from work and see if they’re free. However, I’m glad it moved up because it means I can graduate sooner,” said Johnson.

Cory Davis, a senior mass communication major from Vicksburg, Miss., is eager to see who the speaker will be.

“As a graduating senior, I am a little disappointed about the date changes, because I had friends and family that delegated their time to come on that specific date, and now they will have to alter their arrangements or may not be able to come,” said Davis. “I don’t really like mysteries or surprises, but I can’t wait to find out who the speaker will be.”

Travaughan Wilson, a senior criminal justice major from Memphis, Tenn., is already speculating on the identity of the high profile guest that could cause such a change.

“Honestly, it doesn’t affect me much because I was able to tell my family ahead of time. So they can get their flights changed and whatnot so it’s really not that big of a deal. I heard through the grapevine that it might be (President Barack) Obama and Michelle (Obama). But hopefully it’s someone important enough to push it up,” said Wilson.

Graduate and undergraduate commencements were originally scheduled to take place on April 29 and April 30. The schedule change will mean graduate commencement will take place on April 22 with undergraduate commencement on April 23.

Check updates in the Blue & White Flash for the announcement of speakers.