William Carey University conferred the Doctor of Public Service, honoris causa, upon U.S. Senator Roger Wicker on Aug. 27 on the Hattiesburg campus.
“Roger Wicker has given his whole life to serving others. From his years in the military, to his service as a U.S. Representative and now U.S. Senator, his service has been impeccable. WCU is honored to recognize Senator Wicker with this degree,” said WCU President Dr. Tommy King.
Wicker began his career in public service in the Mississippi Senate representing Lee and Pontotoc counties. He served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1995 to 2007. Since 2007, Wicker has represented Mississippi in the U.S. Senate. He has also served on active duty in the U.S. Air Force, retiring from the reserve in 2004 with the rank of lieutenant colonel.
“It’s wonderful to be back among friends. It’s been terrific to work with Dr. King over time at the federal level, after the tornado and other occasions when we could be of assistance,” Wicker said.
“I’m so humbled, absolutely down to my very core, and this will always be one of the highest honors I could possibly receive.”
Prior recipients of honorary degrees from William Carey University include Dr. Alton Oschner, Chester Swor, Eudora Welty, Leontyne Price, William Winter, Charles Pickering, and Trent Lott.
Wicker invited attendees to visit him in Washington, after the need for social distancing passes, and take a tour of the capitol. He told the guests about an inscription high up on the wall of the U.S. House of Representatives chamber.
It’s a quote from Daniel Webster, delivered at the dedication of a memorial to the Battle of Bunker Hill: "Let us develop the resources of our land, call forth its powers, promote all its great interests, and see whether we also, in this day and generation, may perform something worthy to be remembered.”
Wicker said that must have been what a new generation of leaders felt in 1954, when the name William Carey College was chosen for a newly co-educational school.
“They sought a person worthy of the great aspirations of this institution and they chose William Carey – that magnificent missionary, statesman, linguist, educator and internationalist – to model themselves after. That was a pivotal moment for these leaders who said, we're going to do something in this day and in this generation worthy to be remembered.”
And through good times and bad, Wicker said, WCU has always been “Carey Strong.”
The conferral of this honorary doctorate would normally have been part of summer graduation at Thomas Fine Arts Auditorium, but WCU hosted the ceremonies online due to the pandemic. Wicker delivered the commencement address during the virtual event.