U.S. Rep. Mike Carey (OH-15) delivers 2024 commencement address

Returning to the rural Alabama campus, Rep. Carey touched on the school鈥檚 storied history (since 1842), and reminded the graduates: 鈥淪ingularly, we are but a blip on the majesty of this great institution. But together, we represent this institution鈥檚 legacy.鈥
Building on the foundation he received from MMI鈥檚 Army ROTC Early Commissioning Program, Rep. Carey earned his bachelor鈥檚 degree from the Ohio State University. As a professional, he spent more than 20 years as an energy company executive before being elected to represent Ohio鈥檚 15th Congressional District in 2021. Keeping a promise to a late classmate, Rep. Carey established an internship program for MMI cadets in his Washington, D.C. office, which has already borne fruit.
In closing, Carey assured the MMI class of 2024 that their formative years in Marion will prepare them for challenges ahead: 鈥淩emember that the strength you developed here will stay with you. Better still, it will grow like a towering longleaf pine and provide you shade and comfort for the rest of your life. 鈥 I am honored, humbled, to be before you today not only as a graduate, but as somebody who鈥檚 looking into the future of this country鈥攁nd I鈥檓 proud of what I see.鈥
A member of the Alabama Community College System, MMI is the oldest military junior college in the nation and educates students from more than 40 U.S. states and territories