Over 100 new U.S. citizens took the oath of citizenship Friday at The Mill at Mississippi State University to mark the first ever naturalization ceremony hosted in Starkville.
Applicants from over 40 countries heard remarks from MSU President Mark Keenum, with U.S. District Court Chief Judge Sharion Aycock presiding over the induction ceremony. Mississippi Senator Roger Wicker was unable to attend due to inclement weather in the northeast.
Participants were asked to state their country of origin as their citizenship was recognized. Following the oath, representatives from the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution distributed small American flags and copies of the U.S. Constitution to new citizens.
The ceremony—full of smiles and joyful tears—culminated in new citizens receiving their certificates of citizenship from court officials.
Of the 102 Starkville-area residents getting sworn in, 42 opted for official name changes as part of their application. Apple Walton, 26, originally from the Philippines, changed her name after applying for citizenship in 2010.
"In the Philippines the way we do our names is, if you get married your last name when you were single would be your middle name," Walton said.
After arriving in the U.S., she had been asked by friends about voting, something all naturalized citizens can do after taking the oath.
"Now I can vote," Walton said. "I think being a citizen it gives me a privilege to speak and express my ideas about politics in America. I am very excited to vote."
Participating in the electoral process is more than just about voting, she said.
"Even though I only have one vote, it's going to matter," Walton said.
For Mohieldeen Saeed Abdelrahman, 28, who came to the U.S. in 2010 from Sudan, MSU brought him to the the southeast.
An electrical engineering graduate, he felt at home in Starkville.
"I feel very good," Abdelrahman said. "I like Starkville. It is good to be able to take my citizenship here."
During the keynote address, freedom of expression stood at the forefront of comments, and was reflected by attendees.
"This is going to be the first time in my life I can vote for someone properly," Abdelrahman said. "In Sudan, the elections were not fair. I have waited a long time to choose my president. It is free and I know where my vote will go. It's big."
Keenum highlighted the importance of cultural diversity not only in Mississippi, but across the country in his address.
“I encourage each of you to be active in your communities and in the electoral process, exercising your rights and privileges of citizenship in a representative democracy," Keenum said. "I urge to embrace the values embodied in our Constitution that make America great.”
Nearly 15 percent of the U.S. population is foreign born, the highest rate since 1890, according to census data.
"Your country needs your talents, your intelligence and the strengths that you will bring to our society,” Keenum said. “For many of you, choosing to become American citizens was a decision that took courage, demanding sacrifices and hard work. No matter what difficulties you had to overcome, it was a decision that you will always look back on with great pride and satisfaction."
The bureau of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services processes all naturalization applications and provides courts with a list of the candidates selected to be naturalized in federal court.
Naturalization ceremonies in the Northern District of Mississippi are usually held in courthouses of Oxford, Aberdeen and Greenville, but are held at various locations around Mississippi's Northern federal judicial district. Special ceremonies are organized after enough applicants warrant a special event.
District Judge Debra Brown, District Judge Glen Davidson, Magistrate Judge Jane Virden and Starkville Mayor Parker Wiseman attended the ceremony.