3/5/2020 - Jackson, Miss.
Outstanding students and faculty members from 34 Mississippi public and private universities and colleges were honored at the annual HEADWAE program, held earlier this week in Jackson. Higher Education Appreciation Day-Working for Academic Excellence (HEADWAE) was established by legislative resolution to honor individual academic achievement and the overall contribution of the state's public and private institutions of higher learning.
Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann spoke at the program alongside Senator Rita Parks, Chair, Senate Universities and Colleges Committee; Representative Mac Huddleston, Chair, House of Representatives Universities and Colleges Committee; Holly Spivey, Education Policy Advisor for Governor Tate Reeves; Dr. Alfred Rankins Jr., Commissioner of Higher Education and Dr. Andrea Mayfield, Executive Director of the Mississippi Community College Board.
Elected Lieutenant Governor in November 2019, Delbert Hosemann previously served three terms as Mississippi's Secretary of State. He is committed to serving the public with open and fair government and making Mississippi more business-friendly and attractive for economic development.
"We will not be stagnant, and we will not be last," said Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann. "Looking at you, I know we are looking at a bright future. Thank you for your hard work. We will work hard to support you."
The honorees enjoyed a program that included the speakers, presentation of awards recognizing the honorees' excellence and accomplishments in the classroom and beyond, tours of the State Capitol and recognition by the Senate and House of Representatives.
Senator Rita Parks, Chair of the Senate Universities and Colleges Committee thanked the faculty and student honorees, presented a copy of the House and Senate Concurrent Resolution passed in recognition of the honorees and their achievements, and encouraged students to stay in Mississippi upon completion of their educational goals.
"Thank you from the bottom of my heart," said Senator Rita Parks, Chair, Senate Universities and Colleges Committee. "Thank you for your commitment and encouraging excellence. I encourage you to stay in Mississippi. We need you."
Representative Mac Huddleston, Chair of the House Universities and Colleges Committee echoed those sentiments.
"Congratulations to the students and teachers being honored here today," said Representative Mac Huddleston, Chair, House Universities and Colleges Committee. "To the teachers, thank you for supporting our young people. To the parents, thank you for your sacrifice, resources and prayers. To the students, stay in Mississippi. We need you."
Governor Tate Reeves' Education Policy Advisor Holly Spivey offered congratulations on behalf of the Governor.
"Governor Reeves sends his congratulations to all the students and teachers being honored," said Holly Spivey, Education Policy Advisor for Governor Tate Reeves. "He is proud of your impressive academic achievements. When education thrives, Mississippi benefits. Thank you for the extra effort you make and the positive impact you have on our great state."
Commissioner of Higher Education Dr. Alfred Rankins Jr. welcomed the honorees to the program held in the State Capitol.
"On behalf of the Institutions of Higher Learning, I congratulate the honorees for your commitment to academic excellence, community service and leadership," said Dr. Alfred Rankins Jr., Commissioner of Higher Education. "Your achievements in academics, leadership and service are a fine example for others to follow."
Dr. Andrea Mayfield, Executive Director, Mississippi Community College Board, offered remarks and presented the awards to the students and faculty members in attendance.
"On behalf of the Mississippi Community College Board and Mississippi's 15 community colleges, it is an honor to be here," said Dr. Andrea Mayfield, Executive Director, Mississippi Community College Board. "You represent the best and the brightest in our state. Thank you for what you do every day."
A video highlighting the events of the day.
(Photo Credit: Sophie McNeil Wolf, Institutions of Higher Learning)
Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann speaks at the 33rd Annual HEADWAE Program.
HEADWAE 2020 student honorees gather on the steps in the Capitol Rotunda for a photo after the program held Monday at the State Capitol.
HEADWAE 2020 faculty honorees gather on the steps in the Capitol Rotunda for a photo after the program held Monday at the State Capitol.
Senator Rita Parks, Chair, Senate Universities and Colleges Committee, speaks at the HEADWAE program, held Monday at the State Capitol.
Representative Mac Huddleston, Chair, House of Representatives Universities and Colleges Committee, speaks at the HEADWAE program, held Monday at the State Capitol.
Holly Spivey, Education Policy Advisor for Governor Tate Reeves, speaks at the HEADWAE program, held Monday at the State Capitol.
Senator Rita Parks, Chair of the Senate Universities and Colleges Committee, presents a copy of the House and Senate Concurrent Resolution passed in recognition of the honorees and their achievements to Dr. Alfred Rankins Jr., Commissioner of Higher Education.
Dr. Alfred Rankins Jr., Commissioner of Higher Education, speaks at the HEADWAE program, held Monday at the State Capitol.
Dr. Andrea Mayfield, Executive Director of the Mississippi Community College Board, speaks at the HEADWAE program, held Monday at the State Capitol.###
The Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning governs the public universities in Mississippi, including Alcorn State University; Delta State University; Jackson State University; Mississippi State University including the Mississippi State University Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine; Mississippi University for Women; Mississippi Valley State University; the University of Mississippi including the University of Mississippi Medical Center; and the University of Southern Mississippi.
John Sewell
Director of Communications
Telephone: 601.432.6333
