Mississippi State University President Mark E. Keenum released the following statement today [May 30] regarding the death of Senator Thad Cochran:

“I was blessed to have the honor of working with Senator Cochran for nearly 18 years in Washington, DC, including 10 years as his chief of staff.  I am grateful for our time together and for his service to our state and nation. He was truly a statesman and a man of the highest integrity. He provided extraordinary leadership and walked with giants, yet remained humble and true to his Mississippi roots. Senator Cochran had a tremendous influence on my life. He taught me how to respect people, how to listen, how to make decisions based on facts and then to move forward. My wife Rhonda and I extend our deepest sympathies to the family during this difficult time.”

Contact: Sid Salter