I had the pleasure this week to meet with both commuter and residence hall students. Each time I have the opportunity for personal interaction with our students, I am impressed by their talents, their desire to achieve, and their love for The Valley.

During the course of this semester and the spring, I plan to visit each of our residence halls to discuss current events and initiatives and answer any questions or concerns that students may have. On Monday, I visited with residents of Edna Horton and the new Women’s Residence Halls.

In addition to visiting with our residential students, I met with commuter and graduate students for a lunch discussion on Tuesday.

At both meetings, I was joined by several members of the President’s Executive Cabinet: Dr. Johnny Jones, Dr. Moses Newsome, Dr. Zachary Faison, Mr. Andre Curry, Mr. Donald Ray Sims, and Mr. Archie Tucker along with the Student Affairs Associate Vice President Dallas Reed, Assistant Vice President Dr. Jeremy Hornbeak, Residence Life Director Mr. Bryce Lowe, and Officer Louis Baymon.

I was pleased to have members of the University College staff join us for the Tuesday meeting.

This was my opportunity to personally welcome all students to the Valley and to let them know how very happy we were that they chose The Valley as their institution of higher education. I specifically encouraged the students to make academics their top priority while at The Valley. This is an important milestone in our students’ lives and each man and each woman must persist through their studies until graduation.  

I also addressed campus safety and security and the new initiatives we are taking to enhance campus security and safety, the five-year Valley Renaissance Strategic Plan, and the plan for much needed facility repairs such as new roofs on several residence halls and academic buildings.

I stressed the fact that we wanted students at Valley to know that they have a voice and an administration and faculty who are committed to listening to them and working with them to assist them in being successful in their academic, social, and leadership endeavors. 

I am also proud to say that during all of the question and answer periods, students were very engaging and polite. Our staff on hand made a list of student concerns and will be working to accomplish or respond to as many of the student concerns as possible over the next few months. Students will get feedback on our accomplishments before the end of the semester. Dr. Jones will work with Student Affairs staff to organize how they will communicate responses. I appreciate the numerous students who thanked us for taking the time to visit the residence halls.

Members of the Executive Cabinet and I plan to visit each residence hall and have talks with students in each hall before the end of the fall semester. I also look forward to another meeting with commuter and graduate students who may have not been able to attend this week’s meeting.

We are proud of our students and we want them to know that at Valley we value them and believe in them. The students’ success is our success.

My, oh my! My first homecoming at Mississippi Valley State University was busy but immense fun. We flew in from the Chicago Classic on Sunday evening and hit the ground running with the Renaissance Concert on Sept. 27, followed by the Faculty and Staff Talent Show on Monday. I also attended the Womanless Pageant and participated in the campus parade – I truly appreciate the MVSU spirit!

It was a pleasure to give greetings at the National Alumni Association’s Green and White Luncheon. I also presented an update on the State of the University during the annual National Alumni Association general body meeting. I appreciate the organizers of the annual Doug Porter Athletic Scholarship Banquet for allowing me to give an update during this wonderful event.

Everybody loves a parade and I enjoyed our Homecoming Parade where I was honored to serve as grand marshal. A special thank you goes to the City of Itta Bena for giving the University such a warm welcome.

During the football game, we received three checks for scholarships. In March 2009, the alumni brothers of the Zeta Phi Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated decided to create a scholarship in the name of one of the chapter founders and longtime advisers, Lawrence “Big Daddy” Sutton. The goal is to raise $25,000 in two years. In celebration of the chapter’s 40th year, the brothers made their first contribution toward their goal. Thank you so much!

The alumni brothers of the Beta Theta Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated are celebrating their 40th anniversary and also presented a check for the scholarship fund. We salute you!

For the past two years, Mrs. Delores Pruitt has raised thousands of dollars for the MVSU football program by contacting both alumni and friends of The Valley. This year was no exception as she presented another check for the football program. Mrs. Pruitt uses both her time and talents to solicit these treasures and we thank her for passionately working for her University!

Speaking of the game, it was exciting to watch Valley jump to a quick lead and continue with the points toward another victory. I also enjoyed taking the royal walk with Miss MVSU and the homecoming court around the football field. Later, the royal court visited the President’s Box for a reception with the Executive Cabinet, NAA president and Foundation President.

Mr. Oliver and I were pleased to host the President’s Reception in Lackey Recreation Center following the game. If I was unable to make it by your table or chat with you in person, please know how much it meant to have so many “come home” for the celebrations.

 During the football game, the students asked that we attend the Greek Step Show. My goodness, it was a packed house!

 Thank you, alumni, for supporting your University. You are welcome “home” any time. We need you now more than ever!

Tonight we celebrated the coronation of Miss Le’Andria Williams, our Miss Mississippi Valley State University 2009-10 and Mr. Leroy Lucas, our Mr. MVSU. It was a beautiful event and Mr. Oliver and I enjoyed our first coronation so much!

 Congratulations to each of the men and women selected by their peers to represent their classes, organizations, sororities and fraternities. It is indeed an honor to be selected and I know your parents and guardians are equally proud.

It was a pleasure to see the former seven queens on hand, including Iesha Jackson,  Parkisha Davis and Barbara Baymon. We had a house full of royalty!

 I want to thank the Homecoming Committee for their dedicated work. Many of the names published in the program are individuals who have been busy all semester! Thank you, Dr. Johnny Jones, vice president for Student Affairs, Enrollment Management and Diversity, Ms. Glenda R. Ransom, committee chair; Mrs. Linda Day-Davis and Ms. Barbara Baymon, vice chairs; and committee members Leo Allen, Derrick Bell, Darren Hale, LaTonya Jones, James Hudson, John H. Johnson, LaTonya Jones, Clara Lipsey, Bryce K. Lowe, George Lucas, Leroy Lucas, LaShanda McChristion, Kenneth Milton,

Venishia Morgan, Debbie Montgomery, Elbert Netters, Carrie Ollie-Hicks, Kathy Sanders, Robert Sanders, Donald Ray Sims, Angela Stancil, Michael Torregano, Yvette Totten, Jessie B. Tramiel, Dorothy Vaughn, Le’Andria Williams and Tamara Williams.

 The Coronation Ensemble, under the direction of Mr. Torregano, heralded each level of the Homecoming Court. For a job well done, we thank trumpeters Fred Brown, David Fletcher and Jordan Winters and drummer William Lockheart.

 There are still many activities left in Homecoming and I hope you will join The Valley family as we celebrate this wonderful University. We welcome our alumni “home” as they hold their fall convention in the Business Education Building beginning with registration at 8 a.m. The Green and White Luncheon is at 11:30 in the Dining Hall IV. The campus parade and car show is at 2 p.m. and our own Dr. Jones and Mrs. Christine Williams will serve as parade marshals.

 The Doug Porter Banquet begins at 7 p.m. and proceeds benefit our athletic scholarship fund. The annual homecoming concert is at 8 p.m. in Carpenter and I understand you can purchase tickets at the door.

 I am looking forward to my first Homecoming Parade and serving as marshal. I hope I see you when the parade begins at 9 a.m. in the downtown Itta Bena.

 Please join the alumni for the annual MVSU NAA Pre-Game Chat & Chew at the Devera Ball Alumni House and afterwards for the game at 2 p.m. when our athletes take to the field against the Texas College Steers.

 Mr. Oliver and I hope to see you at the President’s Reception after the game. The reception is in the Lackey Recreation Center. A complete schedule can be found on the MVSU Web site.