Education (Colleges & Universities)
Here's a look at documents from public, private and community colleges in the U.S.
Featured Stories
VCUarts Alum Brian Barker Sets the Scenes
RICHMOND, Virginia, May 16 -- Virginia Commonwealth University issued the following news:
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VCUarts alum Brian Barker sets the scenes
The former adjunct faculty's set design company has worked with big-name clients, and he frequently works with talent from his alma mater to create his often ambitious projects.
By Anastasia Mineiro
Brian Barker isn't where he thought he'd be, but he is exactly where he is supposed to be.
The Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts alum expected to end up amid the lights of Broadway - not on a marquee but behind the scenes, supervising lighting.
... Show Full Article
RICHMOND, Virginia, May 16 -- Virginia Commonwealth University issued the following news:
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VCUarts alum Brian Barker sets the scenes
The former adjunct faculty's set design company has worked with big-name clients, and he frequently works with talent from his alma mater to create his often ambitious projects.
By Anastasia Mineiro
Brian Barker isn't where he thought he'd be, but he is exactly where he is supposed to be.
The Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts alum expected to end up amid the lights of Broadway - not on a marquee but behind the scenes, supervising lighting.Barker instead ended up in Richmond, where his company's expertise in set design, and his support of fellow VCUarts alums, have been reflected less on theatrical stages but in realms ranging from "Sesame Street" to political pageantry.
A backstage theater kid in high school, Barker grew up in Midlothian and said he knew VCU had a "great theatre program with a lot of opportunity." He planned to pursue lighting design until Ron Keller, then a professor of theatre, encouraged him to explore set design, which is the creation of the physical environment and scenery for a production.
"I don't really think I had a very clear direction at all when I first started there, right? Who does?" Barker said of enrolling in VCUarts. "If you go to college and you have a clear direction on where you want to go - bravo."
He earned his bachelor's degree in technical theatre and theatrical stage design in 2003, which instilled strong fundamentals.
"From an art school perspective, going through all of the art foundations and doing all the sketching classes and having to present your work - as well as take feedback - is a critical thing to learn, because even in a professional setting, you have to be able to do that," Barker said.
Still, he was at a crossroads upon graduating.
"I had the intent of leaving school and going on tour for Broadway to do their set design," Barker said. Then the University of Tennessee, Knoxville recruited him to its MFA design program.
He earned his master's in scenic design in 2007 and finally made it to New York - but not for Broadway. Instead, Barker joined a corporate design company that worked with big-name clients such as MTV.
"I was always doing work where I was a few steps ahead of my boss," he said. "And by the time that guy left the business, I was just running his company for him, and I was like, 'Oh, this is just insanity. Why am I doing everything for him and not working for myself?' It was just an easy transition to go off and do that."
So Barker returned to Richmond and started his own set design company, Barker Designs. Clients range from the Nickelodeon network and "Sesame Street" to gubernatorial inaugurations and presidential campaign rallies.
Barker Designs has eight full-time employees, but it can employ 20 to 30 people depending on the demands of each project. Many are fellow Rams, and Barker, who for eight years was an adjunct professor at VCUarts, has recruited numerous former students to work alongside him.
"The quality of people coming out of the VCU theatre program is, and always has been, very good," he said. "Leaving VCU's theatre department, they have to do so much of everything that it's not like you don't know about costumes or lighting or sound or all the other stuff, because you had exposure to all of it. So it just makes it easier to understand everything, to be able to work with all of it once you leave."
Barker enjoys not only the creative facets of set design but its problem-solving aspects. Complex projects fascinate him, and as an example, he cited this year's Super Bowl halftime show with Bad Bunny (which a fellow VCUarts alum worked on).
"The thought and storytelling that happens at that scale, where budget is absolutely no concern, is pretty exciting," Barker said. "The amount of problem-solving it takes: We only have 25 trucks that we can drive on the field. How do we get all this grass on the field? Did you know the grass was all people? Those are challenges that are fun to work with."
Such challenges never feel like a burdensome job, he said, reflecting the expansive creative range of set design: "As long as we do good work and have fun doing it, then the work just keeps coming.
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Original text here: https://news.vcu.edu/article/vcuarts-alum-brian-barker-sets-the-scenes
University of Montreal: Climate Change is Making It Harder to Breathe
MONTREAL, Quebec, May 16 (TNSjou) -- The University of Montreal issued the following news:
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Climate change is making it harder to breathe
Wildfire smoke, extreme heat and longer pollen seasons are exacerbating the effects of lung diseases, especially for vulnerable groups, and it's only going to get worse, warns a new Canadian study.
By Martin LaSalle
Climate change is already worsening lung diseases for millions of Canadians, and healthcare systems need to adapt quickly to the developments.
That's the conclusion of a literature review published in the Canadian Journal of Respiratory,
... Show Full Article
MONTREAL, Quebec, May 16 (TNSjou) -- The University of Montreal issued the following news:
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Climate change is making it harder to breathe
Wildfire smoke, extreme heat and longer pollen seasons are exacerbating the effects of lung diseases, especially for vulnerable groups, and it's only going to get worse, warns a new Canadian study.
By Martin LaSalle
Climate change is already worsening lung diseases for millions of Canadians, and healthcare systems need to adapt quickly to the developments.
That's the conclusion of a literature review published in the Canadian Journal of Respiratory,Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine by Dany Doiron, a professor at Universite de Montreal's School of Public Health, with Jeffrey R. Brook (University of Toronto) and Jean Bourbeau (McGill University).
Since 1948, the average temperature in Canada has risen by 2 C--nearly double the global warming rate--leading to more frequent heat waves, droughts and wildfires.
At the same time, outdoor air pollution--primarily fine particulate matter or PM2.5--is responsible for 15,300 premature deaths, 35 million days of acute respiratory symptoms, and 9,200 cases of chronic bronchitis in adults each year in Canada, according to a 2021 Health Canada study.
Wildfires erasing decades of progress
Since the 1970s, environmental regulations have significantly reduced air pollution in Canada, but this progress is now threatened.
"Recent studies show that a rise in fine particulate matter due to more intense wildfires linked to climate change is now reversing this trend, particularly on the country's West Coast," said Doiron.
Data for the 2023 Canadian wildfire season show the magnitude of the impacts. Wildfires burned 15 million hectares--six times the historical average. Smoke from the fires briefly propelled Montreal to the top of the list of the world's most polluted cities in July 2023. In Ontario, emergency room visits for asthma were up 24 per cent.
It's estimated that exposure to smoke from the 2023 Canadian wildfires was responsible for 1,300 acute and 8,300 chronic deaths across Canada. Between 2020 and 2024, smoke from wildfires is estimated to have caused an average of 1,400 premature deaths per year in Canada.
Projections for the coming decades are alarming: by the 2050s, concentrations of fine particulate matter linked to wildfires could almost double, and by 2100, wildfires could occur 75 per cent more frequently than they do today.
In addition to the toll on human health, the chronic health effects of wildfire smoke in Canada have a staggering annual financial impact, estimated at between $4.3 billion and $19 billion.
Worsened by heat, pollen and mould
Beyond wildfire smoke, extreme heat poses its own threat to the respiratory tract. It constricts the bronchial tubes, irritates the mucous membranes and increases the lungs' intake of pollutants--a dangerous synergistic effect for older adults and people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Exposure to extreme heat has skyrocketed for Canadians aged 60 and older, with "heatwave person-days" jumping 284 per cent in the last four years compared to the late 1980s. The devastating scale of this threat was evident in the 2021 heat dome in British Columbia, which claimed 619 lives.
Canadians are sneezing more and for longer. Since 1990, North American pollen seasons have lengthened by almost three weeks and pollen concentrations have increased by 21 per cent. This shift carries a heavy price tag: in Quebec, climate-related allergies are projected to cost $360 million by 2065.
Meanwhile, flooding brings another set of health risks by transforming damp indoor spaces into breeding grounds for mould--a well-documented trigger for asthma and persistent respiratory symptoms.
Vulnerable groups impacted more
The study highlights how climate risks are not shared equally across society. It is often those with the fewest resources, and therefore the least ability to protect themselves, who suffer the most severe impacts of climate change.
Indigenous populations in Canada are especially affected: while they represent five per cent of Canada's population, they account for 42 per cent of wildfire evacuations. This is partly because their communities are often located in regions with high wildfire activity and in northern latitudes where the impacts of climate change are most pronounced. It is therefore essential that responses be co-developed with Indigenous communities, the researchers say.
Other vulnerable groups include people living with asthma or COPD, seniors, low-income households, and renters. Doiron also noted that "unlike vehicular or industrial pollution, wildfire smoke can travel long distances and significantly affect populations in rural and remote areas."
A key role for clinicians
To combat these threats, the study maps out two clear paths for action.
The first involves personal protective measures such as wearing N95 masks during smoke events, tracking air quality alerts, and installing HEPA air purifiers, which a recent randomized controlled trial showed can cut indoor PM2.5 concentrations by 50 per cent and reduce COPD exacerbations by 70 per cent.
However, these solutions only mitigate short-term effects, the researchers say. Their study emphasizes the need to prioritize transformative measures: rapidly reducing greenhouse gas emissions, electrifying transportation, creating clean air centres, and integrating climate risks into health planning.
Clinicians have an important role to play in recognizing and treating climate-linked respiratory illnesses, and educating patients on how to protect themselves, the study notes: their expertise can help reduce vulnerability in high-risk communities and ensure our healthcare systems are ready for what's next.
"Healthcare professionals are on the frontlines," said Doiron. "Through their actions and foresight, they can help make our healthcare systems climate-resilient."
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About this study
"Breathing in a changing climate: Compounding risks to respiratory health in Canada," by Dany Doiron, Jeffrey R. Brook and Jean Bourbeau, was published Feb. 27, 2026 in the Canadian Journal of Respiratory, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine.
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Original text here: https://nouvelles.umontreal.ca/en/article/2026/05/15/climate-change-is-making-it-harder-to-breathe
University of Montreal: Acute Leukemia - 'Molecular Scissors' to Modify Vulnerable Cells
MONTREAL, Quebec, May 16 (TNSjou) -- The University of Montreal issued the following news:
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Acute leukemia: 'molecular scissors' to modify vulnerable cells
The success of an international clinical trial on patients at the UdeM-affiliated Hopital Maisonneuve-Rosemont marks a major advance in precision medicine.
For the first time in Canada, blood stem cells have been genetically modified using CRISPR-Cas9 technology, as part of an international clinical trial for leukemia and other aggressive blood cancers.
Published in Nature Medicine, the trial was led by Universite de Montreal medical
... Show Full Article
MONTREAL, Quebec, May 16 (TNSjou) -- The University of Montreal issued the following news:
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Acute leukemia: 'molecular scissors' to modify vulnerable cells
The success of an international clinical trial on patients at the UdeM-affiliated Hopital Maisonneuve-Rosemont marks a major advance in precision medicine.
For the first time in Canada, blood stem cells have been genetically modified using CRISPR-Cas9 technology, as part of an international clinical trial for leukemia and other aggressive blood cancers.
Published in Nature Medicine, the trial was led by Universite de Montreal medicalprofessor Lea Bernard at the UdeM-affiliated Hopital Maisonneuve-Rosemont (HMR)'s Institut universitaire d'hematologie-oncologie et de therapie cellulaire (IHOT).
In many cases of acute leukemia, stem cell transplantation is the only hope for a cure; however, this is not guaranteed, as the rate of post-transplant relapse remains high.
New immunotherapies show promise, but they present a major problem: they attack not only cancer cells, but also normal blood cells, leading to significant side effects.
To work around this problem, Bernard's research team used a cutting-edge technology called CRISPR-Cas9 -- a kind of "molecular scissors" that allows DNA to be modified with great precision.
The researchers first removed the CD33 molecule from cells collected from donors, then infused them into patients. CD33 is a molecule found on both the patient's cancer cells and the donor's healthy blood cells.
Anti-CD33 drugs are effective against cancer, but they also destroy healthy cells, causing significant side effects. By removing the CD33 gene from the donor's stem cells using CRISPR-Cas9 before transplantation, those cells are rendered invisible to the drug.
The result: after transplantation, the patient's new blood cells derived from these modified stem cells no longer carry the CD33 marker.
The treatment can then exclusively target and destroy residual leukemic cells, without affecting the patient's new blood system -- thereby reducing the risk of relapse, Bernard's research revealed.
Grafts produced in Montreal
This is the first time that such genetic modification of cells has been carried out in a Canadian laboratory, with those cells subsequently administered to human beings.
With privileged access to the Centre d'excellence en therapie cellulaire (CETC), a state-of-the-art biomanufacturing facility, and to the expertise held at the C3i Centre -- both based at HMR --patients from across North America were able to participate in this study.
All grafts for the study were produced in Montreal.
The success of the trial marks a major advance in precision medicine and illustrates how it and and gene editing can combine to produce a significant improvement in patient care, Bernard said.
"It demonstrates our expertise in modified cell production and the potential international reach of this know-how," she said. "It also paves the way for the development of post-transplant treatments that are even more effective and better tolerated by patients."
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About this study
"CRISPR-Cas9 CD33-deleted allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation with gemtuzumab ozogamicin maintenance in AML: a phase 1/2 trial," by John F. DiPersio et al., was published May 12, 2026 in Nature Medicine.
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Original text here: https://nouvelles.umontreal.ca/en/article/2026/05/15/acute-leukemia-molecular-scissors-to-modify-vulnerable-cells
Texas A&M Student Earns Energy-focused Fellowship
COLLEGE STATION, Texas, May 16 -- The Texas A&M University College of Engineering issued the following news:
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Texas A&M student earns energy-focused fellowship
Selected as a Texas Exchange for Energy & Climate Entrepreneurship (TEX-E) fellow, Edwin Ochedikwu will explore the evolving global energy landscape.
By Raven Wuebker, Contributor
Chemical engineering graduate student Edwin Ochedikwu has been selected as a 2026-27 Texas Exchange for Energy & Climate Entrepreneurship (TEX-E) fellow.
Ochedikwu was accepted into the fellowship on April 14 and gained a deeper understanding of how
... Show Full Article
COLLEGE STATION, Texas, May 16 -- The Texas A&M University College of Engineering issued the following news:
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Texas A&M student earns energy-focused fellowship
Selected as a Texas Exchange for Energy & Climate Entrepreneurship (TEX-E) fellow, Edwin Ochedikwu will explore the evolving global energy landscape.
By Raven Wuebker, Contributor
Chemical engineering graduate student Edwin Ochedikwu has been selected as a 2026-27 Texas Exchange for Energy & Climate Entrepreneurship (TEX-E) fellow.
Ochedikwu was accepted into the fellowship on April 14 and gained a deeper understanding of howit bridges entrepreneurship and renewable energy.
"I learned that we will most likely be given technology to develop over the course of the year," Ochedikwu said. "There will be collaboration with industry leaders and entrepreneurs in the climate-tech and renewable energy space, as well. We will primarily work in project teams with other students and researchers from partner universities in Texas."
Partnering universities include the University of Texas at Austin, Prairie View A&M University, the University of Houston, Rice University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's (MIT) Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship.
Ochedikwu's initial research focused on wastewater modeling of an electrocoagulation process for wastewater treatment. He developed a MATLAB-based model, which is a mathematical or graphical representation of a physical system for optimized pollutant removal.
Building on this, his next project will explore using amine-based polymers for petroleum industry applications.
The goal is to use modeling and experiments to better understand how gases like carbon dioxide interact with polymers, he said.
As an undergraduate, Ochedikwu decided to minor in economics to build a structured foundation for understanding micro and macro economic interactions, such as how consumers and firms make decisions under different economic circumstances.
"I told myself that I wouldn't let an opportunity pass where I could find a way to incorporate chemical engineering and economics into my life or future," Ochedikwu said. "In my current work, there isn't necessarily a direct path to incorporate both, but there is a general theme in both my projects, which is sustainability. That goes in line with what I will be trying to achieve long term."
Combining chemical engineering and entrepreneurship gives Ochedikwu a foot in the door to begin sharing thoughts and ideas with like-minded people within the engineering industry.
"I am thrilled that Edwin has this unique experience to broaden his professional development," said Dr. Jodie Lutkenhaus, associate dean for research in the College of Engineering and chemical engineering professor. "The TEX-E Fellowship will give him direct insight into entrepreneurship and greater agility in his future career path. I am hopeful that his experiences in the program will bring this know-how into our research ecosystem, breaking down barriers to translation from lab to market."
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Original text here: https://news.engineering.tamu.edu/news/2026/05/15/texas-am-student-earns-energy-focused-fellowship/
Powering Upward Mobility: As Thousands Graduate, Federal Data Shows UH Degrees Deliver High ROI and Economic Mobility
HOUSTON, Texas, May 16 -- The University of Houston issued the following news:
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Powering Upward Mobility: As Thousands Graduate, Federal Data Shows UH Degrees Deliver High ROI and Economic Mobility
As a record-breaking 7,819 students cross the stage this week during the University of Houston's spring commencement, federal outcomes data confirms they are stepping into a workforce with a distinct advantage. UH continues to deliver one of the strongest value propositions in Texas, pairing high post-graduation earnings with a commitment to upfront affordability.
UH has long been a place where
... Show Full Article
HOUSTON, Texas, May 16 -- The University of Houston issued the following news:
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Powering Upward Mobility: As Thousands Graduate, Federal Data Shows UH Degrees Deliver High ROI and Economic Mobility
As a record-breaking 7,819 students cross the stage this week during the University of Houston's spring commencement, federal outcomes data confirms they are stepping into a workforce with a distinct advantage. UH continues to deliver one of the strongest value propositions in Texas, pairing high post-graduation earnings with a commitment to upfront affordability.
UH has long been a place wherea world-class education creates real opportunity, opening doors to leadership, economic mobility and long-term career success for students from every background.
According to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Education's "College Scorecard," UH alumni enter the workforce with a significant earnings advantage. Four years after graduating, former UH students who received federal aid report a median annual income of $68,091. This outpaces the national average for four-year universities ($60,428) and places UH among the top five public universities in Texas for median earnings.
When compared to workers with only a high school diploma, the long-term economic impact of a UH degree becomes even clearer. UH graduates earn more than double the median yearly income of high school graduates both nationally ($32,842) and within the state of Texas ($31,626).
For UH students pursuing high-demand STEM disciplines, the financial returns reflect the University's deep alignment with Houston's powerhouse industrial and technological sectors. The five highest-earning fields of study for UH bachelor's degree holders, four years post-graduation include:
1. Chemical Engineering: $110,184
2. Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering: $107,399
3. Computer Engineering: $107,283
4. Computer and Information Sciences (General): $98,790
5. Construction Engineering Technology: $97,201
Keeping It Affordable
Outstanding earning potential is only one side of the success equation; keeping the upfront cost of higher education highly accessible is equally vital. UH has prioritized affordability so students can begin their careers with greater financial flexibility.
The average annual cost to attend UH for in-state students is $14,276, nearly $6,000 below the national midpoint for four-year colleges ($20,081). Furthermore, UH is significantly more affordable than other large public institutions in the state. For universities in Texas with more than 35,000 students, the average in-state tuition is $4,000 higher than UH ($18,265), with the most expensive institution peaking at $21,315, according to data from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
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"Higher education should be an engine of economic mobility, not a lifelong debt burden. As we celebrate our newest class of graduates this month, these numbers prove that UH is delivering on its core promise: keeping upfront costs accessible while setting our students up for top-tier earning potential and leadership in their fields."
- Diane Z. Chase, UH Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
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To help incoming students and families better understand and plan for the full cost of attending the University, UH recently launched My Total Cost Planner. This resource provides a personalized view of costs for admitted and enrolled students based on their individual academic choices and financial aid packages. The launch of My Total Cost Planner is a critical piece of a universitywide effort -- alongside expanded financial aid and peer mentoring -- to remove barriers and clear the path to a degree.
A Trajectory of National Excellence
This quantifiable return on investment is driving a surge in national recognition for UH. The University's commitment to academic rigor, time-to-degree improvement and postgraduate success has been validated across every major institutional ranking:
* Innovation and Public Excellence: In U.S. News & World Report's 2026 "Best Colleges" list, UH jumped six spots to No. 68 among top public universities. Reinforcing its mission as an engine of opportunity, UH ranked No. 40 nationally for social mobility and debuted on the prestigious "Most Innovative Schools" list at No. 48.
* Delivering High ROI for Graduates: Highlighting outstanding career outcomes and low student debt, Forbes elevated UH to No. 43 among public universities in its "America's Top Colleges" rankings based on return on investment, average student debt levels and outcomes for graduates.
* Producing the Next Generation of Leaders: UH climbed 11 spots to rank No. 77 nationally on TIME Magazine's 2026 list of the "Best Colleges for Future Leaders," placing UH as one of only three public universities in Texas recognized for producing high-achieving corporate, civic and government leaders.
In the nation's fourth-largest city and one of the world's most dynamic economic centers, UH continues to prepare students not only for workforce success, but for leadership in the industries and communities shaping the future.
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Original text here: https://www.uh.edu/news-events/stories/2026/may/05152026-uh-upward-mobility.php
Dentistry Course and Latest Research Highlighted at UEA Court
NORWICH, England, May 16 -- The University of East Anglia issued the following news:
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New dentistry course and latest research highlighted at UEA Court
New course developments, the importance of international partnerships, and world-leading research were highlighted at this year's UEA Court.
The annual meeting, held on Thursday 14 May, was introduced by UEA Chancellor Dame Jenny Abramsky, who spoke about her experience coming to UEA as it was being constructed in the 1960s and her enjoyment at seeing the Lasdun Wall being "so lovingly" refurbished now.
Dame Jenny also described her pride
... Show Full Article
NORWICH, England, May 16 -- The University of East Anglia issued the following news:
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New dentistry course and latest research highlighted at UEA Court
New course developments, the importance of international partnerships, and world-leading research were highlighted at this year's UEA Court.
The annual meeting, held on Thursday 14 May, was introduced by UEA Chancellor Dame Jenny Abramsky, who spoke about her experience coming to UEA as it was being constructed in the 1960s and her enjoyment at seeing the Lasdun Wall being "so lovingly" refurbished now.
Dame Jenny also described her prideas an alum and how much she enjoys joining students for graduation each summer.
Court brings together the University's key stakeholders to update on major projects at UEA. It also includes a presentation of the University's Statement of Accounts.
UEA's Vice-Chancellor Prof David Maguire gave an update on how the University is strengthening its foundations through financial resilience, with progress on its sustainability plan supported by student recruitment and new international partnerships.
A major milestone will be the launch of a Bachelor of Dental Surgery programme in 2027, aimed at improving health outcomes in a region with significant dental need.
Prof Maguire said: "This is more than a new degree. In a region facing some of the poorest dental health outcomes in the country, it represents a commitment to improving lives across Norfolk and beyond.
"It is a moment of real significance for UEA and I would like to thank everyone who helped us make the case so effectively."
New international partnerships in China, Pakistan and Singapore are also expanding UEA's global reach and will help students gain a UEA degree in their own country.
Work by UEA's researchers continues to address global challenges, from climate change to early childhood development.
Academics who presented their research at the event included Dr Alice Godden, who discussed her findings on the impact of climate change on polar bears.
Prof Nicholas Vincent spoke about his involvement in the discovery of an original Magna Carta, and Prof Helen Murphy presented her research on diabetes and pregnancy, and its positive impact on health outcomes for mothers and babies.
Prof Maguire also highlighted that almost four out of five UEA graduates are in professional work or further study within 15 months of graduating - placing UEA among the best in the country for employability.
On the same night, an event on campus welcomed alumni from a wide range of subjects, offered course specific networking opportunities and gave alumni an opportunity to connect and reflect on their time at UEA.
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Original text here: https://www.uea.ac.uk/about/news/article/new-dentistry-course-and-latest-research-highlighted-at-uea-court
Civil Rights Leader Medgar Wiley Evers Receives Posthumous Honorary Degree at MC Law Spring Commencement
CLINTON, Mississippi, May 16 -- Mississippi College issued the following news:
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Civil Rights leader Medgar Wiley Evers receives posthumous honorary degree at MC Law Spring Commencement
The Mississippi College School of Law today (May 15) hosted its Spring Commencement, where university leadership presented a posthumous Honorary Doctor of Laws degree to the family of Mississippi civil rights leader Medgar Wiley Evers. During the ceremony, alumnus and State Treasurer David McRae delivered the commencement address to more than 100 graduates and gathered guests.
"As Mississippi College marks
... Show Full Article
CLINTON, Mississippi, May 16 -- Mississippi College issued the following news:
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Civil Rights leader Medgar Wiley Evers receives posthumous honorary degree at MC Law Spring Commencement
The Mississippi College School of Law today (May 15) hosted its Spring Commencement, where university leadership presented a posthumous Honorary Doctor of Laws degree to the family of Mississippi civil rights leader Medgar Wiley Evers. During the ceremony, alumnus and State Treasurer David McRae delivered the commencement address to more than 100 graduates and gathered guests.
"As Mississippi College marksits bicentennial, we are proud to welcome MC Law alum and State Treasurer David McRae as our speaker, and honored to recognize Medgar Wiley Evers with this posthumous degree," said Dr. Blake Thompson, president of Mississippi College.
This recognition comes at a meaningful moment for Mississippi College, as the University celebrates its bicentennial and MC Law marks its 50th anniversary. At the ceremony, the Evers family was presented with the Honorary Doctor of Laws degree along with a framed citation commemorating Evers' life, leadership and impact. The ceremony also included a prerecorded message from his wife, Myrlie Evers-Williams.
"MC Law is humbled and honored that its name will now be forever linked with that of Medgar Wiley Evers through the awarding of this Honorary Doctor of Laws degree," said MC Law Dean John Anderson.
Though widely remembered for his leadership and impact in the civil rights movement, Evers also held a personal aspiration to attend law school. The presentation of this posthumous degree reflects both that aspiration and the Evers family's desire to see it honored.
"It was a dream of our father's to attend law school, but he was denied that opportunity," said Reena Evers-Everette, daughter of Medgar Wiley Evers. "That rejection fueled his passion to fight for desegregation in the South for the rest of his life. This honor means so much to us as his family members and honors our father's life and all that he advocated for in a powerful way."
Accepting the degree were members of Evers' family, including his daughter, Reena Evers-Everette; Wanda Evers; and Carolyn Evers Cockrell. Chris Daniel, a 2002 graduate of MC Law who proposed the degree initiative and has longstanding ties to the Evers family, accompanied the family for the presentation.
"I felt a connection to Medgar as a fellow war veteran," explained Daniel. "It's apparent to me that he would have been a great law student and lawyer had he been given the same opportunity I received."
"Evers' courage, intellect and strong moral compass encapsulate everything MC represents. Our hope is that this moment acknowledges his incredible legacy and his aspiration to pursue a legal education," said Patricia Bennett, Dean Emerita at MC Law.
The 2026 MC Law commencement address was given by State Treasurer David McRae, a member of the MC Law Class of 2010 who has served as Treasurer for the State of Mississippi since 2020. He also serves on the Board of Directors for both the National Association of State Treasurers and the National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers and Treasurers, and is a member of the Mississippi Bar. Before taking office, McRae was Managing Partner of McRae Investments. During his time at MC Law, McRae served as Chief Justice of the Honor Court.
"I'm honored to deliver the keynote at my alma mater on this momentous occasion," said McRae. "Medgar Wiley Evers' enduring legacy and dedication to fairness and equality are inspirations for all Mississippians, and this recognition is a meaningful step in honoring a man who continues to impact both our state and nation."
More information about Spring Commencement can be found at law.mc.edu/students/graduation.
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Original text here: https://www.mc.edu/news/civil-rights-leader-medgar-evers-receives-posthumous-honorary-degree-mc-law-spring-commencement
