During my visits with many of you, I have talked about the need to fully involve the University with our communities in the area. Today I was asked the question: Why is it especially important that our community push hard to continue development?

My answer: Community development is the most effective way to have optimum quality of life in Leflore County; by working together we can have strong vital communities that are strengthened through education, business and industry, and individuals committed to effective government.

We can examine that question in another way: Why is it especially important that Valley have that town and gown mentality? We are like a small city – do we need our neighbors in Itta Bena, in Greenwood, in the Delta? You bet!

Valley must do its part to show that we want to be a part of the community. Mr. Oliver and I would like to invite you to join us as we visit churches in the area. This Sunday, Feb. 1, we will be attending Providence Missionary Baptist Church, located at 3400 Hwy. 82 East, just past Jones Signs. I was so pleased to learn that it is Providence’s Family & Friends Day! Former Valley employee Jessie Payne is the pastor and has so warmly extended an invitation the entire University. I hope you will join us and sit together as a Valley family. I look forward to meeting church members who may not have ties to Valley but are in the community. Won’t you join us?

Next Sunday, Feb. 8, we will be attending First United Methodist Church on the corner of Fulton and Washington streets. The Rev. Glenn Seefeld has graciously invited us to visit. 

The following Sunday, Feb. 15, we have been invited to Wesley United Methodist Church. You may recall the Rev. Ever Burt’s congregation hosted Dr. Bill Cosby in November. While I will be out of town on Feb. 15, I do hope you will join the MVSU baseball team and our outstanding University Choir as they visit the church.

I have been at the State Capital for the third day this week to discuss our educational needs with our lawmakers. In addition, work continues in mapping out Mississippi’s plans for President Obama’s economic stimulus proposal.

 Many figures have been speculated, including $1 billion for the state, but it is just too soon to tell. On Thursday, I and several members of The Valley administration will meet with Congressman Bennie Thompson, one of Valley’s true champions.

I see where The Clarion-Ledger is reporting tonight that the proposed $1 billion bailout would include $637 million in state budget aid; $353 million for highways and bridges, $249 million for school modernization, $52 million for wastewater treatment and sewers; $20 million for mass transit; $16 million for Head Start; $13 million for education technology grants and $7 million for low-income energy assistance.

 The House passed the measure with President Obama saying, “We don’t have a moment to spare.”

 After reading that, I paused and thought, “Ditto. Ditto for Valley.”

 My friends, we are in situation where every moment of our work day, every task at hand, every goal we set, every event we sponsor, every potential student, every single action we take, must be entrenched with the attitude that we “don’t have a moment to spare.”  Embrace our “Working Together Works” and we can make things happen.

I continue to receive phone calls and e-mails from supporters, alumni, students and employees. Each correspondence is important to me and I find peace in knowing that so many people care about the University and its future. We are working on strategic plans. We are working on finding the best people to work at this institution. It does, however, take some time and I appreciate your continued support and patience. Please know that while I have tried to respond to each e-mail, handwritten note, telephone message or blog comment, I may not be able to respond as quickly with my constant travels to Jackson.

These meetings with our legislators and congressional delegation are critical. The Valley must be out there side by side with all seven of our sister institutions. These are challenging opportunities and I look forward to reporting to you our success! 

I mentioned this morning that I would be heading to Delta State for the Delta Health Alliance meeting. Instead, Dr. Roy Hudson substituted for me as I made my way back to the Mississippi Legislature for further discussion regarding President Obama’s Stimulus Plan.

We learned that the House could vote on the $825 billion stimulus package on Wednesday.

Known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the bill is designed to direct funding toward projects that benefit the public at large. We had extensive meetings detailing the opportunities for Mississippi citizens.

You may have read where members of Congress are hoping President Obama can sign this no later than Presidents Day.

I can assure you that MVSU is working diligently to ensure that we have our plans outlined and presented for inclusion in the state’s plans. Stay tuned for more about this.

I mentioned that Dr. Hudson attended the Delta Health Alliance. Many of you, particularly those who do not reside in the Delta, may not be aware of the organization. Dr. Hudson updated me on the meeting and I would like to share this information with you.

MVSU is one of the founding university partners with the Delta Health Alliance – the others are DSU, Mississippi State and the University of Mississippi Medical Center. The Delta Council is also a founding partner.

Valley’s project through our Delta Health Alliance initiative is the Healthy Lifestyles Outreach which promotes community education and wellness in the areas of chronic obesity-related disease, prenatal care awareness and diabetes patient self-management.

You can find this on the Delta Health Alliance Web site but I wanted to share few items here on my blog.

The five goals of the Delta Health Initiative are:

·          Increase access to quality healthcare for residents of the Mississippi Delta region;

·          Increase awareness of the residents of the Mississippi Delta region on healthcare issues to which they are especially vulnerable;

·          Increasing the number of healthcare personnel available to provide services to residents of the Mississippi Delta region;

·          Increasing our understanding of the healthcare issues that exist in the Mississippi Delta region; and

·          Improving health outcomes of the residents of the Mississippi Delta region.

Mississippi Valley and the other partners are charged with providing leadership, expertise, directions for projects and proposal development. I am proud that we are hosting the diabetes forum for health professionals on Thursday. I look forward to accelerating our contributions toward the organization’s goals.

Did you know that Leflore County, with a population of 36,431 people has more than 11 percent of adults with diabetes? More than 35 percent of Leflore County adults are considered obese.

Someone asked me recently if Valley would be able to construct the Wellness and Assembly Center that is a part of our master plan. To be frank, we do not have enough money. It is going to take some private partnerships and creative fund raising to do so. We need a new venue for the many programs and events, including athletics, convocations, graduations and the like. Our players need and deserve an appropriate arena to compete. We need to be able to host large groups on campus – in turn that means more money for Leflore County and for the Delta. We are working on this.

I welcome your input and suggestions.

I have few moments before heading to Delta State University this morning where I will attend meetings with the Delta Health Alliance initiative.

Yesterday’s meeting with the Senate Appropriations Committee was a continuation of the eight University presidents sharing how the 5 percent cuts are affecting higher education. You can read more about what we shared with the Senate and House committees in a previous blog.

After our committee meeting, I was honored to visit with Leflore County’s senator and Valley graduate, David Jordan. We discussed ways to move Valley forward. He escorted me to the Senate chamber where I, along with Valley administrators Andre’ Curry and Dr. Moses Newsome, were introduced to the full Senate. What an honor to represent MVSU!

Rep. Willie Perkins escorted the Valley delegation to the House chamber where I was so proud when Rep. Perkins asked those members of the House who were Valley graduates to stand. Valley alumni serving in the Legislature include Rep. Bryant Clark of Pickens; Rep. Reecy Dickson of Macon; Rep. John Wesley Hines Sr. of Washington; Rep. Ferr Smith of Carthage; and Rep. Sara Ann Thomas of Indianola. We salute you!

I will be visiting the Legislature again in the near future. Your alumni serving in the Legislature as well as Valley staff are working tirelessly for this University.

Later this week I will meet with Congressmen Bennie Thompson. I look forward to sharing information with you at the appropriate time.

Our day in Jackson meant that I missed the women’s basketball game against Texas Southern University. I was able to attend a portion of the men’s game. They played another fantastic game and won! After the game, I went to their locker room and congratulated the team and the coaches for a game well played.  These men not only demonstrated the skill and team effort necessary to win, but they played with dignity, class, and exhibited good sportsmanship. I am so proud of both of our teams. Our coaches are exceptionally talented young men dedicated to excellence and integrity. I say again, “Working together really does work!”

I can not let an opportunity pass with pointing out our dynamic band, their sound, their in sync moves – kudos to Band Director Michael Torregano and Assistant Director Kenneth Milton for a well disciplined terrific sounding band.

The cheerleaders and the Satin Dolls once again demonstrated school spirit that was extraordinary with class and poise.

I must express my appreciation and thanks to the entire MVSU family, including faculty, staff, and students, for supporting our teams! It was another evening of good food, thanks again to Dr. Dorothy Pernell and her daughter, Dr. Erin Jacobs, who support our women so faithfully. I also met Rev. John Ross of Tchula, who travels frequently with our men’s team. Loyal supporters – who give their time or through monetary donations – mean the world to our students and this University. Each individual who contributes their time, talent and treasure to The Valley are valuable. Thank you so much!

I would be remiss if I didn’t say hats off to the facilities staff, our professional police force, and Thompson’s Food Service. All work diligently to ensure we have a safe, clean venue and good concessions for our events.

Valley ball games are some of the best entertainment for the money in the Delta – good fun and good company.

Did you notice the new lighting?  More to come in this area soon. 

The weekend is here and I hope each of you have a safe and dry one. Three weeks of whirlwind meetings and events underscore that there is a lot happening on this campus and among our alumni and supporters!

Next week promises to be another one of opportunities for students and citizens of the Delta. I am so pleased that our University is hosting a forum on diabetes for health professionals on Thursday, Jan. 29. Our students will be able to attend this important program and network with Delta health providers. What a wonderful opportunity!

The MVSU Office of Sponsored Programs and the Office of Minority Health Disparities is working with the National Institute of Health, the Jackson Medical Mall in collaboration with the Mississippi Institute for Improvement of Geographic Minority Health. It is a unified effort of people committed to getting the latest information about diabetes research out to our community. This disease affects so many and it is so important that we provide leadership in communicating and educating individuals.

It will be honor to have Dr. Griffin Rodgers, one of the nation’s leading experts on diabetes, on campus. Additionally, we are so pleased to welcome Dr. Marshall Bouldin of Diabetes Care Associates, Dr. Rick Carlton of the Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi, and Anna Lyn Whitt of the Delta Health Alliance. If you need more information, call the Jackson office for the National Institute of Health at 601-667-7298.

Also on Jan. 29, we will welcome representatives from the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. They will tell our faculty and staff how the university’s collaboration with TMCF provides our students with scholarship funding, professional development opportunities, and employment. It’s another example of Working Together Works!

Our Department of Social Work is continuing its preparation for the site visit by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) on Feb. 2-4. In my short tenure thus far, I have been so impressed by the entire department, led by interim chair, Dr. Vince Venturini. I see students in the Social Work Club wearing their bright yellow T-shirts. I hear from alumni who hold social work degrees from Valley and they share their experiences in making a difference in their communities. How proud we are of all of these people – students, faculty, staff and alumni!

This morning I traveled to Jackson to attend the House Appropriations Committee Hearing at the Mississippi Legislature. I, along with the other seven presidents of the state’s public universities, spoke on behalf of our institutions and what the budget cuts will mean to each.

Also speaking were Interim Commissioner of Education Aubrey Lucas as well as members of the IHL trustees Amy Whitten and Aubrey Patterson. Mr. Patterson discussed how appropriations and tuition affect the educational quality that our institutions provide. He talked about how the state’s universities serve as an economic development engine.

 While it was an honor to stand before these men and women to talk about The Valley, no one likes to discuss budget cuts and certainly no president of a small historically black college or university wants to begin their administration determining if her university can endure 5 percent cuts this academic year.

Here’s what I shared with the House Appropriations Committee:

The University has been proactive in reducing costs with the elimination of several vacant positions and the combinations of other administration positions. We currently have 29 openings across the university with nine in faculty positions. Our plans are to fill only those vacant positions that are critical to the minimal operation of the University. The same goes for equipment, purchases and consultants.

We will cut back travel and will not purchase any equipment that is not absolutely essential. We anticipate no furloughs or terminations this academic term, but if we have a 10 percent cut in 2009-2010, we will have no choice but to consider this option which would certainly be detrimental to the delivery of a quality and competitive education for our students.

At The Valley, 94 percent of our students are on financial aid. Continued rising tuition costs and cuts impose on services that we offer students. We can not pass these costs on to students because they simply do not have it – tuition increase and reduction in services will drive students away from higher education and further into debt. The majority of our students are first-generation college attendees and 81 percent are from the Mississippi Delta, the most economically-depressed area of the state.

The Special Task Force for the Revitalization of the Delta Region (chaired by Valley’s own Distinguished Professor Robert Clark) presented to the Legislature its goals and recommendations for 2008, including the “attitudes and expectations regarding education [that] need to be raised.”

This report stated “the Delta region has the most negative education statistics than any other region in the State.” We have the highest percentage of adults without a high school diploma, the highest percentage of adults functioning at Literacy Level 1 and the highest percentage of people living in poverty. Our students ARE these percentages – if we continue to have budget cuts, we will not be able to offer the programs and opportunities for these students to improve their lives and the communities in which they live.

 Continued cuts impact the high quality experiences our students deserve as part of their service learning and civic engagement in the 21st Century. Many of your know that our students are required to perform community service in order to graduate. Our students are scheduled to travel next month to assist in rebuilding hurricane-ravaged communities. These experiences are making a difference in the lives of our students and in the communities where they work. For the second straight year, The Valley has been selected to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll.

Our student enrollment is more than 95 percent African American. Females make up 68 percent of our enrollment. I point these statistics out to remind you that the lack of success among their male counterparts affects Mississippi. My predecessor prepared a report for IHL which stated, “Improving college access and graduation rates of the male students in Mississippi would save the state millions of dollars in crime-related costs, Medicaid costs, and lost wages and taxes. Moreover, millions of dollars would be added to the state’s economy because of their improved employment status as a result of having a higher level of education.”

As I left the State Capitol, I thought about the sacrifices that so many individuals make in order to get a higher education. I am committed to Valley, just as I know those of you are who have called or sent letters of support.

We must continue working and sharing The Valley’s story. We have 58 years of providing quality education to those in the Mississippi Delta. We’re going to continue to do so – with your continued support, with your involvement, and as I have said several times before, with your treasure. We can not sit idly by in the heart of the Mississippi Delta and not make a difference. You’ve heard our rally cry, first spoken on Jan. 5: Working Together Works!

On Monday we will meet with the Senate Appropriations Committee.

I’m still savoring yesterday’s activities. To sit in an auditorium surrounded by Valley students as we heard from three civil rights speakers during the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation was phenomenal. Dr. Robert Clark, Dr. Nathaniel Boclair and Mr. Billy Joe McCain shared their experiences from the 1960s. Whether it was a walk alongside Dr. King or sitting in a meeting with him, it was powerful to hear their descriptions and watch behind them the activities surrounding the inauguration of President Barack Obama. We stopped to witness the official ceremony and I loved hearing the cheers from all of our students, faculty and staff. We sat in an auditorium where there were professors from Obama’s father’s homeland. There was a diversified student audience whose eyes were focused on the massive stage screen for such an historic occasion. Afterwards, our mayor, Thelma Collins, shared her experiences as the first elected African-American female mayor of Itta Bena. We appreciate her encouraging words.

The convocation was punctuated by the amazing voices of the men and women of the MVSU University Choir. They are under the direction of their most faithful leader and one of Valley’s resounding cheerleaders, Mr. Orlando Moss. The rendition of Elijah Rock moved the soul! Amen!

Special thanks are in order for Mr. Bland and the IT staff for making the Inauguration proceedings available for us all day. Thanks, too, to the Department of Facilities Management for setting up the stage. I want to mention the outstanding design of the convocation banners, posters and program. The design by senior graphic designer D’Artagan Winford is absolutely beautiful. The entire PR staff did a wonderful job with our printed matter. Thank you!

The day held so much more in store as Mr. Oliver and I attended the Eta Theta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s Black Tie Inaugural Ball in Greenville. Two of our past presidents, Dr. Ernest Boykins and Dr. William Sutton were recognized, along with two of our past interim presidents, Dr. Nathaniel Boclair and Dr. Roy Hudson. I’m delighted to tell you that former MVSU professor Dr. Dorothy Smith-Nelson revealed that the Nelson-Frisby Family has implemented a $10,000 scholarship in President Boykin’s honor. He and his lovely wife, Beverly, were present to accept our accolades.

The honorees were introduced by one of Valley’s own, Bettye Farmer, director of our Writing Project. The entire event was wonderful – made even more special by the significance of the day!

James and I enjoyed our visit to Tupelo yesterday. Equally enjoyable was meeting Valley alumni! It was a delight to meet Linda Griffin Wright, ’78; Henry Cobb, ’67; Clearon Smith, ’66 and his lovely wife, Mary Catherine, ’66; Jimmy Townsend, ’71; Natalia Davis, ’00; Debbie Jones, ’80; Dwayne Jones, ’78, and Zell Long, to name a few. There were other alumni who were busily preparing for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Banquet and we exchanged quick hellos. It was a pleasure to meet each of you and I’m so grateful that you care about your University!

I was honored to witness the individuals pledge to reinvigorate the Tupelo alumni chapter. Several told me they are going to work hard to do so and I don’t doubt that for a moment. I appreciate your leadership.

Our alumni are critical to Valley’s future. We need your time, your support, your treasure. We need you to help us recruit students. Our enrollment has been dropping steadily and we must reverse that trend. We can do that when each of you reach out to a high school student and tell them about your experiences at The Valley. They can see your remarkable accomplishments and the role models that you are. We had both active and retirees at our Tupelo visit – school teachers, counselors, a community development officer, a city hall employee and a postal worker. All are successful contributing members of society and represent MVSU proudly!

What a blessing to be the guest speaker at the 9TH annual banquet sponsored by the King Committee at St. Paul’s AME Church. The music by the outstanding Golden Echoes, followed by the young men of Revised and the remarkable Barbara Jones truly touched my heart.

I want to especially thank the sororities, Alpha Kappa Alpha and Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. for their generous support in contributing to the MVSU Scholarship Fund. We appreciate each of you so much!

I wanted to thank Valley alumnus Donald Stewart of Pontotoc for sponsoring the table for our Valley contingency and staff. Thank you!

Tomorrow we celebrate the birthday of a great man. Our offices will be closed but I do hope you will join us on Tuesday at 10 a.m. for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation in Carpenter auditorium. We’ll celebrate the inauguration of another great man. It will be a joyous day, indeed.

This afternoon closes out another week at The Valley, and my friends, it’s been another whirlwind of wonderful people and intense focus on improving our institution. I have met so many kind and concerned people who love this university and what it represents.

Tomorrow is a special day. I will be expanding my Mississippi horizons by traveling to Tupelo. I am honored to have been selected by Rev. Robert Jamison and his congregation as the guest speaker for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Banquet at St. Paul Christian Life Center.

St. Paul’s theme, “Seeking Love, Compassion, Respect & Racial Harmony For All People,” in honor of Dr. King’s 80th birthday, mirrors our own goals in our diversity work at The Valley. I want students of all walks of life to come to MVSU for an education, both academically and socially. When they leave here, I want them to be able to go anywhere in the world and say that The Valley prepared them well.

Prior to the 7 p.m. banquet, Valley alumni in the area will join me for a meet and greet at St. Paul’s from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. I hope those of you in the area who may be reading this blog will come see fellow alumni and several members of The Valley staff who are accompanying me. In addition to Tupelo alumni, I hope to meet our graduates from Nettleton, Pontotoc, Amory, Ripley, Fulton, Aberdeen, West Point, Columbus, Starkville – all of the Golden Triangle area! Bring your high school students and let’s spread our message about Valley’s educational offerings.

St. Paul’s is located at 475 North Front Street. My friend, Ms. Linda Blackmon at St. Paul’s, said that banquet tickets will be available at the door. You can call her at (662) 255-4069 for more information.

I hope to see you there! Have a safe and blessed weekend.

My first IHL board meeting was a very good meeting. I had an opportunity, as did Mississippi State’s new president, Dr. Mark Keenum, to share about my first days at the Valley. I emphasized that there is a spirit of renewal, rethinking, revisioning and reinvention concerning who we are, who we want to be, where we are and where we want to go!

I told the trustees about our newly adopted slogan, “Working Together Works,” and that we are building a winning team for The Valley!

For those of you who can come, please join us for our Dr. Martin Luther King Convocation on Tuesday, Jan. 20 at 10 a.m. in the H.G. Carpenter Auditorium. Yes, it is Inauguration Day but we’ll have a big screen broadcasting live the Washington, D.C. events. You won’t miss a thing! Join us as we celebrate Dr. King’s Dream Fulfilled – what a wonderful opportunity to witness it all.

I want to remind faculty, staff and students that we will all gather in the auditorium. Post your notices on doors that you are attending the convocation. Faculty – I can think of no better educational opportunity on Dr. King’s birthday than to hear our speakers as they recall their experiences during Dr. King’s visit to Grenada, Greenwood and Itta Bena.

I promised yesterday to tell you about the first MVSU Music Industry Summit scheduled for Feb. 24-25 at The Valley. Dr. Alphonso Sanders, chair of the Fine Arts Department, along with Dr. Paul Schreiber, music professor, and Daryl Dickerson, engineer for Valley’s B.B. King Recording Studio, are putting together this event.

Tuesday’s event includes a panel discussion for high school juniors and seniors beginning at 9:30 a.m. in the Business Education Building auditorium. They will hear leading authorities in the music industry talk about career opportunities. The panel includes some impressive individuals – Benjamin Wright, music director for Gladys Knight; David and Lisa Hampton, music producers; Jeff Kirk of Belmont University; and Ed Seviera, a music videographer. Please share within your networking circles about this forum so these students can have contact with these business entertainment standouts.

Later, there will be a workshop demonstration where selected students will have an opportunity to make a recording!

Tuesday evening, the MVSU Lyceum Committee and the B.B. King Recording Studio will present “A Night of Jazz with Delfeayo Marsalis and Friends.” Now I know you all know that Marsalis name and what it represents in the jazz genre. That family is loaded with talent and to think that Mr. Marsalis is coming to our campus – we need a packed house to welcome him to Valley and the Delta.

On Wednesday (Feb. 25), a music industry symposium will be held for the general public. This will offer a unique opportunity to have a question and answer session with guests from Tuesday’s panel. If you have ever thought about being a music industry entrepreneur, you need to come to this symposium and talk with the likes of Mr. and Mrs. Hampton, Mr. Wright, Mr. Kirk and Mr. Seviera. This is what Valley is bringing to our community and I hope you will share this opportunity with others!

Wow – all of this in Itta Bena, Mississippi. My friends, we are an innovative group and working together does work, doesn’t it!

And last, but by no means least, please allow me to thank The Valley family for all the well wishes on my birthday today. I loved the ad in the local newspaper. I loved the many thoughts, cards, flowers and acknowledgments. You sure do know a thing or two about that Southern hospitality. Mr. Oliver and I treasure each of you.

God bless!