The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) held fall 2019 commencement exercises Dec. 12 and 13 at Reed Green Coliseum on its Hattiesburg campus and two Clarksdale natives were presented their diploma.
USM President Rodney D. Bennett conferred undergraduate, graduate and specialist degrees at the ceremonies.
USM graduates from Clarksdale include:
• Devona Sharnee Williams, Bachelor of Arts.
• Kiana Lakeshia Jones, Bachelor of Social Work
The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) is a comprehensive public research institution delivering transformative programs on campuses in Hattiesburg and Long Beach, at teaching and research sites in central and southern Mississippi, as well as online. Founded in 1910, USM is one of only 76 public universities in the nation to earn the Carnegie Foundation’s "higher research activity" designation for doctoral universities, and its robust research enterprise includes experts in ocean science and engineering, polymer science and engineering, and sport venue safety and security, among others. USM is also one of only 40 institutions in the nation accredited in theatre, art and design, dance and music. As an economic driver, USM generates an annual economic impact of more than $600 million across the state. USM welcomes a diverse student body of approximately 15,000, representing 71 countries, all 50 states, and every county in Mississippi. USM students have collected four Truman Scholarships and 35 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships, while also leading Mississippi with 21 Goldwater Scholarships, an honor that recognizes the next generation of great research scientists. Home to the Golden Eagles, USM competes in 16 Division I sports sponsored by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). For more information, visit usm.edu.
