USM host fall graduation during a southern snowfall

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The University of Southern Mississippi hosted their fall commencement ceremony Friday during a rare snowfall.

“I’m sure that not many students at the University of Southern Mississippi can say they graduated on a snow day but its such a momentous occasion for so many of our students [also] for their family members, for their friends. It really is a special day because we have snow," said USM Assistant Professor, Dr. Loren Coleman.

The university pushed back the graduation an hour and a half to give students extra travel time for the commencement program.

"I never saw snow, when I woke up, I said – Its snowing! And then I couldn’t stop seeing it. It’s a blessing to have that and on the day of our graduation,” said graduating student, Diana Farah.

Despite the cold weather Assistant Professor Dr. Coleman said for both undergraduate and graduate students, acquiring a degree is an accomplishment worth celebrating.

“Managing those different responsibilities, still maintaining those responsibilities sometimes at home and still successfully earning a degree, that is something to truly be excited and to be happy about and I’m happy I can share this moment with them." Dr. Coleman shared with a smile.

People safely made it to the ceremony during the heavy snowfall in Hattiesburg.