Contact: Harriet Laird
STARKVILLE, Miss.--Mississippi State alumnus, renowned political columnist, and self-professed "gifted" obituary writer Sid Salter showered the university's fall semester graduates with humor, wit and a heart-felt message in Humphrey Coliseum Friday night.
Speaking to approximately 1,200 in caps and gowns, Salter repeatedly turned to one of his favorite writers and poets, the late Carl Sandburg, to instill in the students' minds that personal success comes not only through the valuable use of time, but through use of intelligence and ability as well.
"My friends, you have Sandburg's urgent words to remind you: 'Time is the coin of life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you,'" Salter quoted.
Citing examples from his own successful life that he claims "includes many failures," the 1988 MSU graduate checked off a long list of notable subjects he's interviewed over the years, including every U.S. president since Jimmy Carter, the king of Spain, and two German chancellors. Appearing on every major national television and cable news network, he has had his work published in the country's most prestigious newspapers. Currently the "Perspective" editor at the statewide daily newspaper, the Clarion Ledger, Salter has enjoyed friendships with Mississippi authors Willie Morris, Barry Hannah and John Grisham.
While he said he achieved much as a young writer, he also admitted spending too much time in his early career "asleep" and urged those receiving degrees to "wake up!"
Turning 52 years old in January, he asked, "What mark will you make on the world? Whose lives will you save or change or influence? What corner of the human condition will you warm or illuminate?"
As a former newspaper obituary writer who began his journalism career at age 15, Salter told graduates that the choices they make in answering these and other important questions will determine their mark on the world and the manner in which they are remembered.
"The choices rest solely and completely in your hands. You have youth and time on your side. You have intelligence and ability," he concluded, adding congratulatory remarks for the many achievements already earned by those wearing MSU mortar boards.
Salter left the graduates with challenges to thank those who made their graduation possible, to become active and involved MSU alumni, and to see their dreams to fruition.
"May you make your dreams come true, and may you truly be awake to enjoy them with the people you love," he said.
The Philadelphia native and Mississippi Press Association Hall of Famer has covered news events in Mississippi for more than 34 years and has won MPA's J. Oliver Emmerich Editorial Excellence Award on two occasions. A syndicated newspaper columnist since 1983, he also has hosted a talk radio show for two years.