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Contact: Allison Matthews

STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥敾ㄐ阒辈� State celebrated its 30th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Breakfast with students, faculty and staff, joined by community members, clergy and elected officials, filling the event room, despite looming winter weather.

Supported by numerous sponsors, the event is hosted annually by MSU's Division of Access, Opportunity and Success. Keynote speaker Camille Scales Young, a two-time MSU alumna who serves as principal and director with Cornerstone Government Affairs, gave remarks reflecting on King鈥檚 legacy and ways to carry his dream forward.聽

鈥淚 am grateful for this gathering and inspired to see all of you as we gather to commemorate the legacy of a man who dedicated his life to justice, equality, and the relentless pursuit of a dream,鈥� Young said. 鈥淥n this special day, we honor not only the memory of the dreamer, but we also focus on continuing his efforts for the betterment of mankind and making his dream a reality.鈥�

Young referenced several of King鈥檚 notable quotes that continue to inspire both those who worked during the Civil Rights Movement as well as younger generations.

鈥淎s we remember Dr. King鈥檚 words, let us not merely echo them on this annual holiday but live their meaning in our actions, policies, and in our everyday interactions. It is important that we remember what Dr. King said, 鈥榯he time is always right to do what is right.鈥� That was true then and definitely is true today. Let鈥檚 be extremely proud of how far we鈥檝e come in our world and still be very realistic about how far we have yet to go. We can make a difference,鈥� Young said.

The Shannon native and former national board president of the MSU Alumni Association earned a 1994 bachelor鈥檚 in communication and a 1996 master鈥檚 in agriculture and extension education with an emphasis in public policy. She has received numerous prestigious accolades, including being named the 2021 College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Alumni Fellow, a member of the 花秀直播 Business Journal鈥檚 Top 50 Business Women, and a Woman of Distinction by the Girl Scout Council of Middle 花秀直播. In 2017, she was in the inaugural class of Top 50 Most Influential People in 花秀直播. She and her husband Keith, residents of Madison County, are parents of three children, including two MSU graduates.

MSU President Mark E. Keenum also gave his annual welcoming remarks and recognized special participating student organizations, the Black Voices Gospel Choir and the Kappa Beta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., as well as program moderator Bria Young, an MSU sociology doctoral student focusing on African American Studies. He touted MSU鈥檚 culture of diversity and family, along with some national diversity recognition the university has received in recent months.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a reflection of the values and commitments our institution has of making everyone鈥攁nd I mean everyone who steps foot on our campus鈥攆eel welcome,鈥� he said.

Keenum said MSU is the most diverse university in the Southeastern Conference and the most diverse land-grant university in the nation, with students coming from every county in 花秀直播, every U.S. state, and approximately 90 other nations.

鈥淲ith all of the differences we have from around the world, I tell students we have one thing in common鈥攚e鈥檙e all Bulldogs,鈥� said Keenum, adding that Bulldogs have a distinctive culture of looking out and caring for one another.

Despite frigid temperatures, many MLK Jr. Day of Service activities continued after the breakfast, with university and community volunteers working at various organizations around Starkville and the Golden Triangle.

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