The MVSU Washington County Alumni Chapter awarded $500 scholarships to 15 deserving students during the annual Green & White celebration held Aug. 27.

There are many events and activities that occur during the year, but one in particular of which I never tire is the celebration of our outstanding students. I was so pleased to travel to Greenville on Thursday for the Washington County Alumni Chapter’s annual Green & White celebration.

Fifteen of Valley’s finest were honored with $500 scholarships (Thank you, alumni and supporters!). The students include Jazzme Benson, Kaylah Brown, Lester Carter Jr., Shikaria Davis, Jasmine Foules, Milton Gaston, Kiara Hayes, Ariel Hilliard, Terrance Mason, Jameisha McKinnis, Jonathan Page, Rachandra People, Rickey Raine, Joshuah Williams, and Edwin Young.

It was a pleasure to be welcomed by Mayor Heather Hudson and Councilwoman Betty Watkins. James and I thoroughly enjoyed the music of the Greenville-Weston Band, under the direction of Valley’s own Ray Brooks, and the New Jerusalem Youth and Adult Choirs.

Thank you, to Mr. Willie Sullivan, the chapter president; Dr. Arthur Cartlidge and his wife, Shirley, Mrs. Tasha Bailey, Mrs. Rose Hayes and Mrs. Mary Haynes, as well as all the other chapter members who work so tirelessly for The Valley.

I enjoyed meeting my fellow Delta Sigma Theta Sorors who attended the event held at the Washington County Convention Center, as well as MVSU alumni and donors. Thank you, Wal-mart of Greenville, Uncle Ben’s, WABG-TV and all of those who made the event a wonderful success.

We appreciate all that you do for the University!

As I told The Valley Family this morning, it was a great getting-up-morning! We welcomed new employees today during our Faculty & Staff Institute. I was honored to reveal the new “MVSU Executive Cabinet” and introduce our new administrators and reveal the new MVSU Organization Chart.

Great things are happening at The Valley and I want to ensure that you are kept informed. As I stated in October and again in January, transparency, integrity and honesty are words to live by. Please take a look at my State of the University Address. You can see it, the organization chart and today’s PowerPoint by going to www.mvsu.edu.

 We have our new students on campus and you can see them touring the likes of the new Science & Technology Building and learning their way around our beautifully-landscaped grounds. It’s hot, but we’re green here in many, many ways! Won’t you come see? Registration gets under way this week. There are countless opportunities, including our Renaissance Learning Program for Adult Learners. Need more info? Call us at 1.800.GO2MVSU.

By the way, we had a “funeral” of sorts for the catchphrase “that’s just Valley.” Read my speech to learn when it can be used in the future!  

It’s a great day at The Valley!

It is with deep regret and a heavy heart that I announce the passing of the third president of MVSU, Dr. Joe L. Boyer. Words seem inadequate to express the sadness we feel. Today, the MVSU and American flags were flown at half mast in Dr. Boyer’s honor.
 
Dr. Boyer led the institution from January 1982 until January 1988. Under Dr. Boyer’s administration the University gained national acclaim with former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver, Jerry Rice and MVSU football head coach, Willie Totten, also known as the “Satellite Express.” Dr. Boyer was regarded as an outstanding visionary leader.
 
The funeral services for Dr. Boyer will be held at noon on Wednesday, August 5 at Dexter Avenue King Memorial Church in Montgomery, Alabama.  I would like to express my sincere sympathy to the Boyer family on behalf of our faculty, staff and students.  May God’s peace and love forever keep the Boyer family.