Dr. King truly lived a life of service, which is in direct alignment with the mission of Mississippi Valley State University. Our University family hopes to continue to fulfill the dream of equality through education.

Our convocation speaker Rev. Orr began preaching in 1981 at the age of eleven. He was licensed to preach in 1983, and ordained in 1986. Shortly after, Orr was elected pastor of Brown Missionary Baptist Church on January 25, 1989, where he has served for 23 years.

While ministering to a growing church membership, Pastor Orr has helped to ensure the continued growth of Brown Missionary Baptist Church. He has strengthened the church financially, increased overall membership and shepherded the growth of a children’s ministry to more than 400 children, while forming life-enriching partnerships with community members to provide individuals with access to health screenings and career opportunities. 

We are very delighted to have Rev. Orr celebrate the legacy of one of the nation’s greatest civil rights leaders.

Our Delta Devils football team gave the Jackson State Tigers a real run for their money in our annual game. The Devils played a truly incredible game, and the loss by just one point was truly heart-wrenching, but we were victorious in that our athletes played well, left their all on the field and demonstrated a true winning spirit.

Tour of Belzoni

I had a great time joining MVSU alumni for a wonderful Tour of Belzoni in support of The Valley. Mrs. Clara T. Reed, C’70, graciously hosted us as we toured The Catfish Museum and Wister Gardens, then enjoyed a lovely reception and entertainment in the gorgeous home which Mrs. Reed shares with her husband, Mr. Henry Reed. Mrs. Reed is the university’s largest financial donor, and a longtime supporter of The Valley.

Hosting The MAC Conference at MVSU

We warmly welcomed the 78^th conference of the Mississippi Association of Colleges and Universities (MAC) to our campus on October 4 and 5. This year’s theme, “Achieving Successful Learning Outcomes for All Students: The Institution’s Roles and Responsibilities,” is especially pertinent as we continue our collective endeavor to provide high-quality educational opportunities.

MAC, for which I served as president last year, has long been at Mississippi’s educational forefront, providing leadership and service as a central resource and committed advocate for higher education in our state.

Highlights of the conference included:

Dr. John Sylvanus Wilson, Jr., Executive Director, White House Initiative on HBCUs, sharing his insights on the higher education landscape in general, and the need for all institutions to clearly identify and communicate their messages to remain viable and vital. Dr. Wilson described the new thinking on college completion, the need to think differently about leadership legacies and accountability, the call for institutions to be more student-ready in the digital world, and the challenges of clarifying and communicating an institutional signal.

A President’s Panel moderated by Dr. M. Christopher Brown II featured Dr. Tommy King, William Carey University; Dr. Martha Saunders, the University of Southern Mississippi; Dr. Larry Bailey, Mississippi Delta Community College; and Dr. Carolyn Meyers, Jackson State University.

Our very own Mr. Willie H. Totten, spoke at the Halbrook Awards Luncheon on “Dreams Vs. Choices, the Need to Have a Plan B.”

We also had several dynamic group sessions. Overall, it was a wonderful gathering, and all of our guests said they enjoyed meeting on our beautiful campus. And I was honored to pass the MAC Presidential torch to Dr. Tommy King of William Carey University.

Our United Way Campaign: Growing Strong

I am very pleased to report that we have reached 104% of our United Way Campaign Goal. Margaret Clark, Chair of our United Way Committee, reports the good news.

Our Best Ranking Ever in U.S. News and World Report

This year, for the first time, Mississippi Valley State University was ranked #35 of the nation’s HBCUs, tied with Kentucky State University. Let’s keep growing and improving in the spirit of “One Goal, One Valley!”

“This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase some of the treasures of the Mississippi Delta, and the University is honored to share the work and wisdom of Dr. Marvin Haire, Director, The Delta Research and Cultural Institute, and Associate Professor of Rural Public Policy in the Graduate Program,” said MVSU President Donna H. Oliver. “The musical genius and heritage of the Mississippi Valley are such a rich and valuable part of American culture,” President Oliver added.

Dr. Haire explained that he will be helping “to represent The Valley as a partner in this Smithsonian Initiative at the BB King Museum. One area of focus will be on a general overview of the Delta Research and Cultural Institute, and we will also be displaying books and music on the blues cultural heritage and tradition.”

The Treasures presentation will also include information on the popular Blues Cultural Heritage Tour, which Dr. Haire designed for President Oliver’s 2009 Inauguration, and has been conducting since for students, educators, community organizations and groups, and visitors to The Valley.

“One of my goals for the Treasures program is to build community ties by collaborating with local organizations,” stated NMAAHC Director Lonnie G. Bunch. Treasures, launched by The NMAACH in January 2008, is a collaboration among cultural institutions, community leaders and the public to preserve and collect African-American material culture. Community members in several cities including Atlanta, GA/ Charleston, SC; Chicago, IL; Dallas, TX; Detroit, MI; Los Angeles,  CA; and Washington, DC, have learned to preserve their family photographs and papers, military uniforms, quilts and the other ephemera that documents African-American life.

For more information, visit www.BBKingMuseum.org.

Delta Devils fans rejoice! Our new Rice-Totten Stadium was open for our season opener on Saturday, September 3, at 5 p.m., against Alabama State University. We had a full house as our team showcased their new home against elite SWAC competition. While we didn’t win the game, we successfully broke in our new, improved stadium with a great game and fantastic fan support.

As Mr. Tommy Verdell, Director of Facilities Management explained on Friday, September 2, “The stadium is substantially complete. We will have fully operational systems in place, along with emergency backup lighting and new restrooms. We will have adequate ADA seating. “There have not been any changes to the home side of the stadium.”

We held an Opening Ceremony for the Stadium on Friday, September 2 to show the wonderful progress of the renovation to make the stadium safer and more functional. I was joined by MVSU Chief of Staff & Legislative Liaison, Dr. A. Zachary Faison, MVSU Athletic Director Donald Ray Sims,  and MVSU Facilities Management Director Tommy Verdell.

For more information about season tickets, call the department of athletics at  (662) 254-3550. Tickets may be purchased in advance at the cashier’s window in the Sutton Administration building. Adult general admission will be $15 in advance; $20 on game day.

At MVSU, we want our new and returning students to become engaged in the many opportunities on campus and within the community. Your involvement in campus life will enhance your overall collegiate experience and ensure that the Valley truly becomes your home away from home.  Also, did you know that in order to graduate you need to complete 60 community service hours?  Our motto, “Live for Service” is an integral part of our existence as a university.

With the return of MVSU Football back home to our Itta Bena campus, we hope to greet chart topping numbers in our newly renovated stadium.

I wish the best of success to all of you and remind you that the MVSU faculty and staff are here to help and assist you in whatever way we are able. Please let us know how we may better serve you!

Here is our schedule at a glance of upcoming events at The Valley.

The Thurgood Marshall TQRI training program is the only national outreach effort designed to recruit, train and mentor new minority teachers. Accordingly, the program seeks to produce 10,000 new minority teachers over the next five years from the nation’s 47 public Historically Black Colleges & Universities. Of that number, 30 percent will be science, technology, engineering and mathematics majors; and 40 percent will be African American males.

After the teachers return to their communities, they will receive scholarships, continuing professional development through online training courses, and mentoring by seasoned educators. They are also required to participate in follow-up training sessions twice a year in March and October. Their progress in the classroom will be tracked by a national advisory board for the next five years as they continue their commitment to teach in public secondary schools.

Thank you for choosing MVSU as your conference site and we hope you have a productive and enriching institute experience.

Mr. James B. Washburn will serve as the university’s new Vice President for Business and Finance/Chief Financial Officer and member of the President’s Executive Cabinet. Mr. Washburn brings a wealth of executive level financial knowledge and experience in higher education to MVSU having formerly served as the Chief Fiscal Officer and Vice President for Business & Finance at Bennett College in Greensboro, NC and Edward Waters College in Jacksonville, FL. Mr. Washburn also served as the Vice President for Finance and Administration at the University of Great Falls in Great Falls, MT for over twenty years. A native of Alabama, Mr. Washburn holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the University of Alabama, and a Masters of Business Administration from Middle Tennessee State University.

Ms. Angela Y. Getter will serve as the university’s new Vice President for University Advancement/Executive Director of the Mississippi Valley State University Foundation and member of the President’s Executive Cabinet. As a fundraising professional with close to 20 years of higher educational fundraising experience, Ms. Getter brings an exceptionally high acumen and understanding for the science and practice of philanthropy. Ms. Getter began her fundraising career as the Director of Special Events and Stewardship at Spelman College before becoming the Managing Director of the $18 million dollar Kresge HBCU Initiative which focused on building sustainability for University Advancement operations at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Ms. Getter formerly served as the Associate Vice President for Institutional Advancement & University Relations at Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, GA and Vice President for Institutional Advancement/Executive Director for the A lbany State University Foundation at Albany State University in Albany, GA. A native of Perry, GA, Ms. Getter holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Organizational Management from Morris Brown College and the CFRM (Certification in Fundraising Management) from the Fundraising School at Indiana-University-Purdue University at Indianapolis (IUPUI).          

Please join us in extending both Mr. Washburn and Ms. Getter a warm Valley welcome!

Pictured from left are Don Price, FEMA ESF 6; Jackie Gladish, Special Assistant to the Federal Coordinating Officer; Tommy Verdell, Dr. Donna Oliver, President; Lt. Alex Granderson, Laura Goudreau, FEMA Logistics; and Robert Sanders, MVSU Chief of Police.

Tommy Verdell, director of Facilities Management and Lt. Alex Granderson of our University Police Department recently received a special presentation from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency.  They were recognized for their professionalism and expertise in a Multi-Agency Sheltering Task Force.

Due to this recent collaboration, Mississippi Valley State University will be used as a holistic model for MEMA training. Both men were proactive in all of their efforts and exceeded the agencies requirements.

I would like to thank them for their dedication and commitment to excellence.  Should you see them around campus or in the community, congratulate them on a job well done.  They make Valley proud!!!

This program will last for about a year and upon successful completion Madeline will be guaranteed conditional admission to the first year of dental school.

She is a product of our Medical Professional Preparation Program (MP3). Over the past year, activities included academic enhancement, tutoring for prerequisite entrance exams – the Dental Admission Test (DAT) and Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and links to medical professionals through mentoring and on-the-job shadowing.

I would like to congratulate Madeline on this exceptional milestone in her life.