Keenum: ‘Most trying time' of life

For Mississippi State University President Mark Keenum, March 11 seems like a year ago, he told the Starkville Rotary Club at its virtual meeting on April 27. The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic started to force cancellations of school and public gatherings on that date; and the university converted all classes to an online environment for the rest of the semester. The last eight weeks “have probably been the most trying time of my life," Keenum said. Classes have wrapped up. Students are taking final exams and MSU will hold a virtual graduation May 1, which will be live-streamed on the MSU website and broadcast live by WCBI-TV. Additionally, Keenum announced the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act has allotted more than $14B for higher education institutions. MSU's share is $17.8M. The university has received half $8.9M, which is to go directly to students, he said. The rest of the grant money will be used to cover university costs related to the pandemic, he said. Summer classes at MSU will all be online. More courses will be offered than usual and the prices of those courses have been lowered. (Source: Columbus Dispatch 04/28/20) https://www.cdispatch.com/news/article.asp?aid=80903