Mr. Oliver and I are heading to North Carolina to spend time with our family during the Easter break. I can not wait to see our precious grandchildren, Cameron and Raina and the rest of our family.

I do hope that each of you have the opportunity to spend this very special time with your family and loved ones.

Rest up so that when we return to The Valley, you can join me for a plethora of activities. Please take a moment to learn about all of the many wonderful activities coming up at The Valley. Mark your calendars!

THEATER

Our outstanding theatrical students are planning their one-act play, “ A Funny Way of Showing It,” during April 14-15. The free performance begins at 6:30 each night in the Royal Room of the MVSU Student Union. Under the capable direction of Ms. Barbara Baymon, you will enjoy watching our students perform.

Members of the cast include LaShundra Harris, Keyona Smith, Jack Flagg, Leroy Lucas and Sharhonda Chandler, all of Greenwood; Eatchett Johnson of Belzoni; Jerome Petty of Rosedale, Yolanda Brown of Shaw; Yolanda Alexander of Greenville; and Delorise Lofton of Mound Bayou.

SPRING CONCERT

Many of you know how much I love music. The annual MVSU Concert Band Spring Concert will be held Wednesday, April 15 at 7:30 p.m. in the H.G. Carpenter Auditorium. Please come listen to the outstanding students. I have an IHL meeting and I need you to attend and tell me about it!

EDUCATION CONFERENCE

As you know, Valley was founded as a teacher education college. We have expanded in many areas but we have not strayed from our roots – our College of Education is holding its second annual Professional Development Conference, “Our Challenge: Improving Student Achievement,” on Saturday, April 18 beginning at 8:15 on the MVSU campus.

Share with your teacher friends and invite them to come!

 INTERNATIONAL WEEK

International Programs’ Director, Dr. Kathie Stromile-Golden, and coordinator Ms. Sylvia Gray, along with the International Week Committee have done an outstanding job of bringing cultural activities to the campus next week.

Mark your calendars for these events:

Tuesday, April 14: 11 a.m. Beatin’ Path Rhythm Drum Circle, On the Quad; in case of rain, moved to Charles R. Lackey Recreation Center

Wednesday, April 15: 11 a.m. Student Luncheon “Pizza Around the World,” H.M. Ivy Cafeteria; 2 p.m. Diabetes Forum, H.G. Carpenter Auditorium

Thursday, April 16: 9 a.m. Parade of Flags (begins at Charles R. Lackey Recreation Center and continues to the H.G. Carpenter Auditorium); 10 a.m. Convocation featuring Nontumbi Tutu, H.G. Carpenter Auditorium

Friday, April 17: 9 a.m. Cultural Exhibits, Charles R. Lackey Recreation Center; 11 a.m. World Music Clinic, Fine Arts Building; 7 p.m. International Banquet/Fashion Revue/Silent Auction/Language Institute featuring Joe Caploe & Neck-n-Neck of Platteville, Wisc., Charles R. Lackey Recreation Center

And there’s so much more! I’ll stop for now, but check back here for activities surrounding our 59^th Founder’s Week Observance and for our April 28 Health Disparities Conference.

There is much to experience at The Valley. We invite you to come visit us and enjoy one or all of these outstanding events. Come see us!