M.L. Waters to give MSU-Meridian commencement address

MERIDIAN, Miss.—Local businessman M.L. Waters will deliver the commencement address Friday [May 8] at Mississippi State University-Meridian.

The 11 a.m. graduation program will take place at the MSU Riley Center for Performing Arts and Education. Some 115 students are candidates for 2015 spring semester degrees.

A 1978 MSU management graduate, Waters currently serves as secretary and treasurer of family-owned Waters International Trucks Inc.

A Columbus native, he began work as a truck mechanic’s assistant, overhauling his first engine at age 11. While a teenager, he launched his first business, W & B Landscaping and Tree Removal.

Throughout high school and after, he held positions in the parts, service and sales departments of the family’s truck dealership. While pursuing a degree in MSU’s College of Business, he also studied civil engineering and architecture.

As a senior in 1977, he and his two brothers opened their own international truck dealership in Meridian that now includes six locations throughout the state. For more, see www.waterstruck.com.

Waters has been a Meridian resident and active community member since 1979. At present, he serves on the MSU-Meridian Dean’s Advisory Council and Meridian Community College Foundation board of directors. At MCC, he also continues as a member of the investment committee after having held positions as its vice president and president.

Outside of his higher education roles, Waters is a member of Mississippi Power Co.’s board of directors and its controls and compliance committee. With the East Mississippi Business Development Corp., he has served on the executive board and was president in 2009-10.

For his services, Waters has been honored with the Hartley D. Peavey Entrepreneur of Excellence Award and as the MCC Foundation’s 2012 Philanthropist of the Year.

At Central Baptist Church, he is a deacon, stewardship committee member and president of the board of directors.

Waters and wife Kim, also an MSU graduate, are the parents of a daughter, Cori and son, Josh.