By now you have heard or seen reports of Governor Haley Barbour’s recommendation to merge Mississippi Valley State with Jackson State and Alcorn universities.

This is what I can tell you right now: We are focused on remaining an independent, viable and efficient university that focuses on quality education for our students. We will not waiver from diligently adhering to our goal of assuring that The Valley’s viability and posterity remains on a solid and firm foundation. We will make necessary changes and work relentlessly to ensure that our students receive a quality education.

As I have mentioned on this blog and in my travels throughout the state and nation, my administration has implemented an 8 percent cut in several areas, including reduced travel, supplies and other purchases, and have limited new hires. We have been proactive so that we have not had to implement furloughs or lay-offs.

 I attended meetings today at IHL and as you can imagine, the media was there. My message, which you can read on MVSU’s Web site, is that we are working diligently to ensure that Valley remains a viable institution.

The 18-member Renaissance Efficiency and Innovation Committee (REIC) and its numerous sub-committees comprised of faculty and staff throughout the University, are working in conjunction with the administration to recommend suggestions which include possible restructuring, reallocation and outsourcing in both academic and support units.

I said this in October and it bears repeating: During these very challenging and difficult economic times for our state, we realize that some of these suggested actions will regrettably result in the loss of jobs and income for members of our University community and their families. This is a painful and unfortunate truth. Despite this inescapable reality, Mississippi Valley State University is committed to operating with full transparency while also remaining sensitive to the needs of our entire community of faculty, staff and students.

What can you do for The Valley as an individual?

• Contribute to your alma mater
• Join your area’s MVSU alumni chapter
• Recruit new students
• Encourage your Legislator to support our University mission

We are experiencing challenging times. MVSU will weather this storm, but we must have your support in order to do so. Please keep abreast of Legislative reports, become an active member of the MVSU National Alumni Association and continue to read this blog for more information.

Working Together Works!

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.

I want to personally thank each of you who voted for Valley’s own Paul Roberts. The senior quarterback from Gulfport was named the Heritage Sports Radio Network National Player of the Week! We’re looking forward to another great performance by the Delta Devils during our Homecoming Game on Saturday. Please join us!

Be sure read more about Paul by going to the HSRN Web site.

While you are there, you can scroll to the lower right hand corner where you’ll read about another outstanding Valley athlete, Maura Moed of our volleyball team. Maura is a junior from San Antonio, Texas who plays for Coach Alyse Wells-Kilbert. Coach Kilbert tells me that she couldn’t be prouder of the Maura and the entire team as they won four times last week, including Valley’s own Jessie Harris Volleyball Classic Tournament!

The Valley defeated Alabama State, Alcorn State and Southern University to win the third annual classic. Maura was named Most Valuable Player. Her teammates, Kantessa Bryant, a senior from Grand Prairie, Texas and Shonese Evans, a junior from Schriever, Louisiana, were chosen on the All-Tournament Team. 

Coach tells me that Maura recorded 43 kills, 16 blocks, 14 service aces, and nine digs in helping the Devilettes win their matches. Maura, at the time of this writing, is ranked first in the SWAC in hitting percentage (.311) and service aces (0.55 per game), while ranking second in kills (2.79 per game).

I was pleased to hear that Coach Harris, a MVSU former head volleyball and women’s basketball coach for more than 20 years, was on hand to present the all-tournament awards to the student-athletes.

The MVSU ladies secured their second conference victory of the season by defeating Alabama State on Sunday. Congratulations to the entire team who sport a 2-0 conference record at the moment.

Also, I want to personally congratulate two of our Canadian players who recently were named as SWAC players of the week, along with Maura.

Kudos to Valley’s Lonnie Hoff of Standard, Alberta. She was named SWAC Newcomer of the Week. During the tourney, Lonnie Hoff had 34 kills, 17 digs, seven blocks, and three service aces. Way to go!

During the week of Sept. 9, April Brown, a freshman from Yorkton, Saskatchewan, was named Newcomer of the Week. Congrats, April!

You can read more about all Valley sports on the MVSU Web site and by going to the SWAC official Web site.

For those of you who support The Valley in so many ways, we thank you! Here’s another opportunity to support The Valley just with the click of your mouse!

Valley’s own quarterback, Paul Roberts, has been nominated for the Heritage Sports Radio Network player of the week. You can help Paul receive this deserving recognition by going to www. www.hsrn.com and cast your vote for Paul. By the way, Paul was the Offensive Most Valuable Player of the 2009 Chicago Football Classic!

As of 2 p.m., Paul was the forerunner thanks to so many wonderful fans and alumni. The deadline for voting is 5 p.m. TODAY, Sept. 29. Wouldn’t it just add more to our Homecoming Festivities this week to say that we had the Heritage Sports Player of the Week?

Our Sports Information Director tells me that Paul, a 6’2, 196 lb. senior from Gulfport, -SR-QB/Gulfport, completed 20 of 34 passes for 210 yards and one touchdown.  He also rushed for 17 yards, giving him 227 yards of total offense.

In a future post, I will be telling you how you can support our Mean Green Marching Machine in the upcoming Honda Battle of the Bands! Let’s all support The Valley!

The Valley won its first win of the season 10-3 against Alabama State in the Chicago Classic. Congratulations to the team and the coaches for an outstanding job! It was a very exciting game and kept everyone engaged from the beginning to the very end.

Our cheerleaders looked great in their new uniforms, The Satin dolls and the Mean Green Marching Machine represented us extremely well. We are looking forward to continued success from all of our student groups!

The Chicago trip was chocked full of activities. On Thursday night, Alabama State President William Harris and I were honored at a reception hosted by the Chicago Classic sponsors. 

On Friday, Christ Universal Temple continued its tradition of supporting The Valley by reaffirming their commitment to send 10 new students each year. They also pledged to increase their recruitment efforts – we thank them so much! We are grateful for this partnership under the leadership of Dr. Walter Robinson.

Ms. Dallas Reed served on a panel during the church’s Project Achieve Program that addressed the topic, “The Continued Relevance of HBCUs.”  She represented The Valley with excellence.

I was so honored to be recognized as Christ Universal Temple’s 2009 Classic Jewel and I will treasure the platinum jeweled charm bracelet as well as the citation signed by the mayor of Chicago. Afterwards, the Gala Concert featuring recording artist Terisa Griffin was outstanding!

I met many Chicago alumni who pledged their continued support of the Valley. We appreciate you and need you so much!

A hearty thank you goes to all Valley alumni, faculty, staff and students who traveled to Chicago to support our team and band. We appreciate each of you!

The celebration of my inauguration and this University has transcended in a flurry of activities in recent days. The Valley is deeply appreciative of Mississippi House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee Chairman Percy Watson of Hattiesburg.

Mississippi House of Representative member Ferr Smith, one of Valley's outstanding alumni, was among legislators on campus to hear more about The Valley's need for a new health and wellness center.

Truly, he is a man of his word. Rep. Watson promised us during his commencement speech at The Valley on May 9 that he would return with colleagues to see what are Valley’s facility needs, specifically a health and wellness center. This building would also include a new gymnasium for our men’s and women’s basketball teams and serve as an auditorium that would accommodate the large crowds that gather for commencement and other activities.

Rep. Watson was joined by six representatives on Friday and they toured the campus and listened ardently to our specific needs. Joining Rep. Watson (District 103) were Valley alumnus Ferr Smith of Carthage (District 27); Leflore County’s own Willie Perkins of Greenwood (District 32), Rep. Bobby Howell of Kilmichael (District 46), Rep. Kelvin Buck of Jackson (District 72); and Rep. Willie Bailey of Greenville (District 49).

We appreciate the members of the Mississippi House of Representatives who joined members of the MVSU Executive Cabinet for a meeting on campus. They include, from bottom right hand corner moving left, Dr. Anna Hammond, Rep. Kelvin Burk, Rep. Ferr Smith, Mr. Andre Curry, Rep. Bobby Howell, Archie Tucker, Dr. Moses Newsome, Derrick Bell, Johnny Jones, Donald Ray Sims, Rep. Percy Watson, Rep. Willie Perkins, and not shown, Rep. Willie Bailey, and Dr. Zachary Fasion.

It is important that this new facility come to fruition on our campus. As you can see by the photographs, our gymnasium is overflowing during commencement. Our graduates work hard to attain their degrees and oftentimes families make great sacrifices in order for their loved ones to attend college. Our students and their families deserve to witness the historic milestone and sadly, we have to turn people away from the R.W. Harrison HPER Complex. While we have satellite viewing at the Social Science Building and at Carpenter, these buildings also are often maxed out in occupancy.

If you have attended a basketball game when we play our rival SWAC school, Jackson State, among others, you have seen the elbow to elbow capacity and students and fans standing alongside the walls at the entrances. We must provide quality academic programs and facilities, quality student housing, and yes, quality venues for our athletic teams.

The new facility will double the number of academic classrooms we now have in the Harrison Heath Physical Education and Recreation Complex. So the building is also needed for much deserved classroom space.

I want to personally thank each of the representatives for spending Sept. 18 with us. We look forward to working with you as we move The Valley forward.

Thank you! Thank you to the MVSU faculty, staff and students for a successful inaugural weekend.  Thank you, Dr. Anna Hammond, chairperson, the entire steering committee, all subcommittees, the foundation, alumni, all sponsors, and the honorary chairs for your dedication, hard work and the beautiful events.

It was a special moment when the University medallion was placed around my neck by Commissioner of Higher Education Hank Bounds and IHL Board of Trustees Vice President Bettye Neely.

As I said in my inaugural speech on Saturday, I am inspired by your charge and I accept it with the deepest humility and commitment to give my very best to lead this university with dignity, integrity, and transparency. My selection to serve remains a singular honor, opportunity and privilege.

You can see photographs of the inauguration.

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!