DSU Alumni Magazine Winter/Spring 2016-17 by Delta State University

WINTER / SPRING 2017

T H E M A G A Z I N E F O R D E LTA S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y A L U M N I A N D F R I E N D S

MAKING MUSIC TOGETHER DELTA STATE + GRAMMY MUSEUMÂ® MISSISSIPPI

Members of the Bright family are: (L-R) Penny Bright Andrews ’87, Jeff Andrews ’86, Karen Bright ’01, Marshall Jones ’20, Dot Prevost Bright ’62, Michael Hackney ’90, Alyson Bright Hackney ’93

GROWING UP GREEN & WHITE

You know what it means to be a true Statesman, now pass it on! Start a legacy by sending your child’s name, birthdate, and address to enroll them in Delta State’s Legacy Program. They will learn about everything bright, green, and fun in their future.

We want to get to know the small smiles on your kids’ faces so we can see their giant grins at graduation. Scan the code or email us at alumni@deltastate.edu. www.deltastate.edu

KEEP THE TRADITION ALIVE. The Alumni Association has partnered with Admissions and Recruiting on an initiative to better recruit children of alumni. Send us your child’s name, birthdate, and address, and he or she will begin receiving information from the Delta State Alumni Association. Send information to alumni@deltastate.edu. For more information, contact us at 662-846-4660.

CONTENTS 2 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE ALUMNI MAGAZINE President.....................................................William N. LaForge ’72

Alumni-Foundation Staff Executive Director......................................... Keith Fulcher ’83, ’85 Admin. Assistant to the Executive Director..............Lizzie Woodard

3 ALUMNI MESSAGE

36 ATHLETICS

4 CAMPUS BRIEFS

42 CLASS NOTES

Chief Development Officer.................................... Dr. Gary Bouse Research & Campaign Coordinator..........................Abbey Atwill Chief Financial Officer............................................. Deborah Cox Accountant.............................................................. Lyle Cole ’13

30 ALUMNI HAPPENINGS & EVENTS

18 ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

Director of Annual Giving..............................Missy Pearce ’99, ’07 Director of Alumni Affairs................................ Jeffrey Farris ’04, ’05 Assistant Director of Alumni Affairs.................... Melissa S. Love ’04

23 DEVELOPMENT

Board of Directors Delta State University Alumni Association:

Sayward Fortner ’04, President; Patrick Davis ’96, President Elect; John Fletcher ’91, Treasurer; Rob Armour ’95, Past President; Tim Harvey ’90, Foundation Board President; Michael Ainsworth ’94, Serena Clark ’97, Hays Collins ’00, Renee Selby Deweese ’92, Brad Evans ’87, Kelly Hunter ’00, Chrissy LaMastus ’96, Parker Lipscomb ’04, Paul “Bubba” Mancini ’00, Davlon Miller ’08, George Miller ’00, Chris Shivers ’94, Bradley Smith ’71, Ifeanyi Ugboaja ’00, Chris Wilson ’95, Hannah Goudy, SAA President; Allie Rose Parker, SGA President

UNIVERSITY VISION

Board of Directors Delta State University Foundation, Inc.:

Tim Harvey ’80, President; Tom Janoush ’90, Vice President; Nan Sanders ’67, Secretary/Treasurer; Anne Wynn Weissinger ’81, Past President; Sayward Fortner, Alumni Association President; Judson Thigpen ’79, Development Chair; Jeff Tarver ’76, Finance Chair; David Abney ’76, Louis Baioni ’56, Dr. William Bell ’82, Anita Bologna, Amanda Borgognoni ’82, Jeff Ross Capwell ’60, Kay Dockery, Dr. Anna Looney Dill ’74, Hank Drake ’69, Earnest Hart ’77, Peter Jernberg ’65, Ed Kossman III; Draughon McPherson, Ned Mitchell ’62, Billy Nowell ’72, Carol Puckett, Randy Randall, Homer Sledge III, Greggory Tharp, Margaret Walker ’67, Jimmy Wilson ’68, Dr. Bennie Wright ’74, Bill Crump ’76, Cheryl Comans ’09.

The Alumni & Foundation Magazine is published by the Delta State University Alumni & Foundation DSU Box 3104, 1003 West Sunflower Rd, Cleveland, MS 38733 E-Mail: alumni@deltastate.edu or jfarris@deltastate.edu Phone: (662) 846-4660

DELTA BLUE JEANS: JOSH WEST

Note: In an effort to reduce our environmental impact, only one magazine per household is mailed.

ALUMNI AWARD RECIPIENTS

LAYOUT AND DESIGN BY

ANCHOR ART COMPANY, LLC

Special Thanks to our Delta State National Alumni Association Corporate Sponsors

STATESMEN LEVEL

The New Beat on Campus

SAM & ASA

GRAMMY Museum® Mississippi

DSU Retirees: Golf and Tennis Coaches

OKRA LEVEL ON THE COVER:

GRAMMY Museum® Mississippi opened its doors on March 5, 2016. Visit the Alumni & Foundation offices, and we will gladly escort you next door to the GRAMMY Museum! Visit grammymuseumms.org to plan your visit today! Cover photo by Elisabetta Zengaro

Winter/Spring 2017 • Delta State Magazine • 1

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Greetings to all Delta State Alumni and Friends! The Fall 2016 semester was filled with highs and lows as we welcomed many new faces to the campus but also said farewell to a few of our longtime colleagues and friends. As you will see from reading the articles that follow, a lot of exciting things are happening that are a source of pride for all of us in the Delta State family. We recently completed a visioning process involving the entire campus that is laying the ground work for the university’s future. ►

The university continues to accentuate student success and academic programs that set us apart. Last year, we awarded more than 700 degrees to graduates who are starting or enhancing their professional careers.

►

Our athletic teams continue to produce winning seasons. We sent 21 swimmers and divers to the national championship meet last spring, while women’s basketball, baseball, and men’s golf competed in NCAA postseason play. And, our student-athletes continue to excel in the classroom as well as in their sports. Last year, 121 student-athletes achieved a 3.0 or higher GPA, and 21 earned Academic All-American Honors.

►

The university’s international programs continue to expand. In Fall 2016, we enrolled 129 international students, which is the largest enrollment in Delta State’s history, and these students represent 50 countries. We now have exchange programs in place with universities in Russia, Poland, Bulgaria, and Korea, and we recently opened an office in China to collaborate with three universities there. Our students and faculty are literally seeing the world and experiencing life-changing opportunities through these educational partnerships around the globe.

►

One of the biggest events ever to hit Delta State occurred this past spring. The GRAMMY Museum® Mississippi opened its doors on our campus on March 5, and it is bringing many exciting musical opportunities to our community. It’s a “must see” for you when you are back on campus!

►

Three more examples of events that brought great numbers of people to our campus this year include: (1) Delta State University Colloquia Distinguished Speakers Lecture Series, which included United States Senator Roger Wicker, United States District Judge Gustavo Gelpi, and United States Congressman Bennie Thompson; (2) The third annual International Conference on the Blues—a three-day symposium on academic and scholarly activity that included a variety of musical performances; and, (3) The third annual Winning the Race Conference, our award-winning race relations symposium.

►

We also brought on board two new members of my leadership team—Mr. Jamie Rutledge (’84), Vice President for Finance and Administration, and Dr. Vernell Bennett, Vice President for Student Affairs.

►

We recently completed several facility projects including: newly paved streets and parking lots; the completion of our Caylor-White/Walters building renovation project, which includes state-of-the-art science and math classrooms; a statue honoring Coach Dave “Boo” Ferriss for his years of support for our baseball program; and, a new baseball complex, thanks to the generous support of alumni Tim and Nancy Harvey. And, we have more projects in the planning stages, such as Statesmen Boulevard, renovations to Young-Mauldin Dining Hall and Zeigel Hall, and replacement of the President’s Home.

There are great things happening on campus, and we need your help in making sure the Delta State you enjoyed and remember remains vibrant for future generations. You can give back to your alma mater in many ways, such as recommending prospective students, providing financial support, and supporting your local alumni chapter. We completed another record year of fundraising from alumni and friends, and I thank you for that financial support. Please continue to be generous with your dollars as we supplement institutional dollars with private support to advance our academic mission. I look forward to seeing many of you on campus and at alumni chapter events in the year ahead, and I hope you will make plans to join us for upcoming events on campus.

Very best regards,

William N. LaForge ’72 President

2 • Delta State Magazine • Winter/Spring 2017

www.deltastate.edu

ALUMNI MESSAGES Dear Alumni and Friends,

Dear Alumni and Friends,

It’s been an honor and privilege to serve as the President of the Delta State University National Alumni Association for the past two years.

I am excited and consider it a great privilege to begin serving my term as President of the Delta State University National Alumni Association. It is an honor to serve our Alma Mater and my fellow alumni.

The alumni and our presence in and around Delta State really do make a difference in the life of the university. If you haven’t come back in a while, I promise you will be amazed. In my last letter, I referenced how special the relationship is between Delta State and the city of Cleveland. In this issue, you will find an entire story dedicated to GRAMMY Museum Mississippi. The campus now has a true “crown jewel” in the Grammy Museum Mississippi which opened its doors to the world earlier this year. With this incredible facility and the Delta Music Institute at DSU, we are claiming our rightful spot on the world music scene.

I want to thank my predecessor Rob Armour for all the effort he made to balance the Alumni Association budget while maintaining a high standard of service. Under his leadership, we welcomed new corporate sponsors and affinity programs that have gone a long way toward helping the Alumni Association better serve you. I also want to take this opportunity to recognize the Alumni Association staff who work tirelessly to promote and host meetings and events throughout the region and country that promote Delta State. I cannot begin to list all the various ways that the Alumni Association serves its alumni, from on campus events such as Pig Pickin’ and Homecoming to the Alumni E-blasts and this publication which reach alumni far and wide.

From this small sample of events and achievements, I hope you can feel that there is more excitement around Delta State than ever before. If you are unable to visit campus often, there are many way you can support your alma mater. Purchase a Delta State car tag to support your Alumni Association and renew your yearly dues. These two programs cost very little, but mean so much to the university. Please visit anytime you can, and please mark your calendars for these important dates for 2017. • Go Green Weekend 2017 - April 8th • Pig Pickin’ 2017 - October 7th • Homecoming 2017 - November 11th Also, please look for news and event dates from your local alumni chapter. These functions help raise awareness and scholarships for DSU students across the country and it is the easiest way to reconnect with your alma matter on a local level.

As I begin my term, I want to thank the National Alumni Board as well as our regional officers who are joining me in service. I encourage all of you to seek out ways to get involved and serve our University; you will get so much out of what you contribute. I commend Jeffrey Farris and the previous National Alumni Board for establishing a strategic plan to target key areas including alumni engagement, communication, legislative affairs, career services, admissions, revenue development, and student engagement. I want to announce an exciting step toward communication and engagement in the development and soon to launch DSU Alumni App, which will allow you to get updates, pay dues, and keep in touch all from your smart phone. I hope you will all download it once it is available. I am also looking forward to working with career services and developing a network to promote Delta State Alumni in various professional fields as both employers and potential hires.

Finally, I would like to say it has been an honor to serve as the National Alumni Association President for the past two years. I thank the Alumni & Foundation staff for all their hard work throughout the entire year. They are true ambassadors and marketers for Delta State every single day. I also welcomed Sayward Fortner this past Homecoming as the new National Alumni Association President. She is a wonderful representative of our great university and will continue to build for the future.

I am looking forward to meeting and reconnecting with my fellow alumni around the State and the region. I hope to see you at a local chapter meeting or on campus for one of our signature events such as Pig Pickin’, Homecoming, or Go Green Weekend.

Go Statesmen!

Rob Armour ’95 Past National Alumni Association President

Sayward Fortner ’04 National Alumni Association President

Winter/Spring 2017 • Delta State Magazine • 3

CAMPUS

We’ve Got the

BLUES

Delta State Continues to Establish itself as a Leader in Music Because of its location in the heart of the Delta, it is only fitting that Delta State University is the academic home of the blues in Mississippi. Since his presidency began in 2013, President LaForge has been working to make sure that Delta State establishes itself as a Center of Excellence in Music and Culture. The Delta Music Institute continues to prepare students for careers in the entertainment industry, and for the fourth year in a row, the DMI All-Stars – a student band that covers songs of Mississippi GRAMMY®-winning music – has traveled to Los Angeles to perform during the annual Mississippi Night at GRAMMY® Week. The audience was filled with a number of dignitaries, tourism leaders, politicians and special guests who gathered to listen to talented aspiring musicians and to honor the history and culture associated with the birthplace of American music. It was a life-changing experience for the 12 Delta State students who went on the trip.

The International Blues Scholars Program is an online academic certificate program available to students all over the world. Students may register for up to 12 hours of graduate or undergraduate level courses. Those completing all 12 hours will receive a Certificate of Completion from Delta State University. At left: Trenton Ayers (guitarist, bassist and vocalist with the Cedric Burnside Project) performed at The Levitt AMP Cleveland Music Series. The performance was on this year’s itinerary for the International Conference on the Blues.

Photos by Rory Doyle

In October, Delta State also completed its third annual International Conference on the Blues. The Conference brings together Blues scholars, historians and fans from all over the United States to the Mississippi Delta, the epicenter of Blues music and history. During the 2015 conference, a statewide proclamation, signed by all five living Mississippi governors, designated B.B. King as the Mississippi’s Secretary of State of the Blues. The most recent addition to the blues curriculum at Delta State is the International Blues Scholars Program, a global online certificate program that is part of the International Delta Blues Project, housed in the Delta Center for Culture and Learning. The multi-disciplinary approach to the study of the Blues includes not only in-depth examination of the musical form, but also a scholarly lens on its influence in art, literature, history, and economic development.

DSU IS HOME TO: ► The International Conference on the Blues ► Delta Music Institute

Left: conference Keynote speaker and performer Cedric Burnside. Below: Featured performer and Grammy Award-winning musician Alvin Youngblood Hart.

► International Blues Scholars Program

Far Left: Featured conference performer and Grammy Award-winning Folk Artist, Dom Flemons. Left: conference Keynote speaker Lawrence “Boo” Mitchell, an American musician, songwriter, audio engineer, record producer and owner of Royal Studios in Memphis.

FOR MORE INFO: Heather Miller: 662-846-4311 hmiller@deltastate.edu www.deltastate.edu/dmi social media: @deltamusicinstitute

Winter/Spring 2017 • Delta State Magazine • 5

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STUDENT AFFAIRS: passing Following Dr. Wayne Blansett’s retirement, Delta State welcomes Dr. Vernell Bennett as Vice President for Student Affairs. This crucial role provides leadership and administrative direction to a comprehensive Student Affairs Division, which complements and supports the academic mission of Delta State. BLANSETT Over the past four decades, Dr. Wayne Blansett has remained a fixture as one of the most respected leaders at Delta State University. Serving the green and white for nearly half of the institution’s existence, Blansett officially retired in June of 2015. Most recently serving as Vice President for Student Affairs since 1993, Blansett has been a role model and mentor for countless students. Blansett’s goal with Student Affairs has always been to guide the student body to becoming better citizens. “It’s about developing character people, making good decisions, using good judgment and having the right attitude about diversity,” he said. “That’s what epitomizes what a Delta State graduate

Delta State renamed New Men’s Residence Hall to Blansett Hall. DSU President William N. LaForge spoke of the building dedication as an appropriate way to pay tribute to Blansett’s outstanding service to the university. Blansett is pictured with his family in front of his namesake. 6 • Delta State Magazine • Winter/Spring 2017

is — a good citizen.” Preparing students for life outside the classroom has always been his biggest passion. The true leader is also a proud alumnus of Delta State, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1973, Master of Education in Counseling in 1974 and a Doctorate of Education in Professional Studies in 1988. Shortly after his graduate studies, Blansett began working for his alma mater as the Assistant Dean of Students from 1975-1980. He then progressed as the Director of Student Activities (1980-1984), Associate Dean of Student Affairs (1984-1990), and Dean of Student Affairs (1990-1993). With 40 years on his Delta State résumé, summarizing Blansett’s contributions separate from his job title is a difficult task. Just some of these

Dr. Bennett recently founded The Okra Patch, which serves as a spirit club for students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of DSU. The Okra Patch will allow members to get involved with athletics, community service projects, and a mentoring and recruitment initiative.

include: President’s Cabinet; Student Organizations Committee; Greek Organizations Committee; Wellness Committee; Union Advisory Board; Orientation Committee; 75th Anniversary Committee — chairman; BPAC Advisory Board; Healthy Campus Initiative — Advisory Board; and chairman — H.L. Nowell Outstanding Staff Committee. He has also served memberships with: Omicron Delta Kappa — faculty advisor; Kappa Delta Pi; Phi Delta Kappa; DSU Student Hall of Fame; DSU Alumni Hall of Fame and Pi Kappa Alpha Social Fraternity. During his tenure, Blansett has thoroughly served Cleveland and Bolivar County with his involvement in the Cleveland Noon Lions Club, the United Way, Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Cleveland School District School Board, Delta Aquatic Club, Boy Scouts of America, Cleveland Planning Commission, and as a deacon and elder at Covenant Presbyterian Church. “No one bleeds ‘Green and White’ more than Wayne Blansett,” said LaForge. “It is very difficult to say a professional farewell to someone who has given his entire career to this university and who has had such an enormous and positive impact on thousands of students during his 40 years of service in the student affairs arena.” In 1973, Blansett married Diane Woods, a Delta State alum and Dedicated Statesmen member. Diane taught in the Department of Mathematics for 21 years.

the leadership torch Their children, Melanie B. Hebert and Brian, graduated from Delta State and married Delta State alums. He is a grandfather of four to Melanie’s daughters, Anna and Mary Neal; and Brian’s son, Jackson, and daughter, McCarty Lee. Blansett is the current President of the Cleveland Noon Lions Club, serves on the Board of Directors for the ClevelandBolivar County United Way and is an active Dedicated Statesmen Member. BENNETT Delta State University President William N. LaForge announced in June the hiring of Dr. Vernell Bennett for the position of Vice President for Student Affairs. Bennett replaces Dr. E.E. “Butch” Caston, who had filled the role on an interim basis following the retirement of Dr. Blansett. Bennett officially took office July 1, 2016. “I am honored to join Delta State University as the newest member of the great executive team President LaForge has built,” said Bennett. “To say that I’m eager to work with the students the university educates is an understatement. It is truly exciting to join forces with engaged faculty, staff and community members to help Delta State University continue its long legacy of service and excellence.” Bennett arrives at Delta State after previously serving in the same role at Kentucky State University in Frankfort, Kentucky. Her extensive experience at KSU enabled her to foster collaborations between Student Affairs and Academic Affairs, faculty, staff, students, the administration and community. At KSU, Bennett oversaw a personnel and operating budget of $5 million and a scholarship budget of $2.6 million. Prior to her VP role at KSU, she served as the university’s Assistant Vice

President for Diversity and Inclusion, the Senior Advisor to Academic Affairs, and as a presidential liaison. She holds a doctorate in instruction and administration from the University of Kentucky, received her master’s from Eastern Michigan University and her bachelor’s degree from Fisk University. Bennett’s professional memberships include: The Council on Student Affairs; The National Association of Student Affairs Professionals; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated; The Links, Incorporated; and the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education. Additionally, she has a background in teaching music courses, including voice instruction, elements of music, phonetics and dictation, and more.

“It’s about developing character people, making good decisions, using good judgment and having the right attitude about diversity.” - Dr. Wayne Blansett President LaForge said he was thrilled to bring Bennett’s leadership to campus. “I am pleased to welcome Dr. Bennett to Delta State,” said LaForge. “She brings a wealth of talent and experience to the position of Vice President for Student Affairs, and I know she will have a terrific impact on our students and our campus culture. I look forward to her contributions to our leadership team.”

Winter/Spring 2017 • Delta State Magazine • 7

President William N. LaForge shares visionary details at the 2016-17 Delta State University Convocation.

8 â&#x20AC;˘ Delta State Magazine â&#x20AC;˘ Winter/Spring 2017

FOCUSFORWARD

Photos by Rory Doyle

President LaForge: All Things Considered for Delta State’s Future Quite different from a vision statement, which we already have and embrace, a visioning exercise has led us through some “big think” discussions for nearterm and long-term aspirations. As an outcome of the process, we now have some clarity regarding the priorities and goals that support a vision for our future. Our vision now begs for the next steps on our path to continuing excellence—the strategies necessary to elevate our game and to support our goals, yet focus on targeted enterprises and programs that make the best use of limited resources. In many cases, during the visioning process, exciting program and project specifics have been developed that will constitute goals and strategies.

Winter/Spring 2017 • Delta State Magazine • 9

VISIONING PRINCIPLES Second is a student-centric focus. Delta State will provide its students with experiences that provide a path to individual and professional success, including opportunities for personal engagement, growth, and accomplishment — in and out of the classroom.

At the top of the list are academic excellence and student success. As a regional university of distinction, Delta State is committed to delivering and investing substantially in superior academic experiences for students, and professional development and research support for faculty.

The university must have a solid business and financial platform. To support its academic mission and student success, as well as the faculty who drive both, Delta State will be a successful growth-oriented business, with a stable financial base, best management practices, and first-class customer service.

The university will significantly ramp up its efforts in the areas of marketing and student recruitment. To position Delta State as a center of education and culture, and as a university of choice for a diverse array of students, we will strategically increase our marketing presence and aggressively advance our recruiting efforts.

We will pursue new revenue and funding streams. To supplement institutional revenue derived from tuition and the state, Delta State will secure the university’s future success with private funding and alternative financial support – from grants, auxiliary enterprises, and private gifts from corporations, foundations, alumni, and friends.

10 • Delta State Magazine • Winter/Spring 2017

6 By providing programs that encourage a lifelong Delta State experience for our graduates, the university will promote alumni loyalty, engagement, and pride. The Delta State experience is for a lifetime, not just a few years on campus.

As a university of athletic champions, Delta State will continue to complement its academic mission with first-class intercollegiate athletic experiences for our students in the spirit of the NCAA Division II philosophy that blends academics and athletics.

Delta State will embrace distinguishing factors that describe what we are — a welcoming and hospitable regional university that provides a rich cultural experience, a supportive learning environment, and superb classroom instruction with an emphasis on the individual student. We will offer excellent general education, as well as signature programs that distinguish Delta State and that support one of the most affordable and accessible quality higher education opportunities in the country.

From these visioning principles, great ideas are emerging, including: ▶ A new Center for Teaching and Learning. ▶ A conference center and hotel lodging on campus. ▶ Repurposing Hugh White Hall as a welcome center and home for the university’s centers of excellence. ▶ The addition of intercollegiate athletics programs, perhaps in volleyball and women’s golf. ▶ Community and economic development initiatives, such as the creation of a training academy for local government officials in the Delta.

Where can our visioning lead us? Imagine these media headlines 10-15 years from now: ▶ This year’s GRAMMY Award for Artist of the Year goes to a recipient who recorded at Delta State’s DMI studios. ▶ For the fifth year in a row, Delta State students have the highest rate of acceptance to the University of Mississippi Medical Center. ▶ Delta State’s Commercial Aviation program adds jets to its fleet and curriculum. ▶ Lady Statesmen and Statesmen athletic teams claim a combination of three national championships in the same year.

▶ Delta State sends a record 300 students and 25 faculty members abroad to participate in international exchange programs. ▶ Delta State’s Honors College celebrates 10 years in Ward Hall.

As a description of who we are, Delta State will promote and embrace traditional core values to support the wellrounded development of our students, and to provide a conducive environment for teaching and learning.

As the educational and cultural center of the Delta, the university will strongly embrace community engagement and programs that address educational deficiencies and poverty, support economic growth, and promote civility and racial harmony.

▶ The poverty level in the Mississippi Delta has been cut in half thanks to Delta State’s innovative programs.

Tell us YOUR BIG IDEAS!

Add to the VISION. Want to see a fountain on campus? A DSU volleyball team? LOOK for the enclosed BIG THINK envelope and return it, or visit www.deltastategiving.org/bigthink Winter/Spring 2017 • Delta State Magazine • 11

SUPERSTATS $495,000

100%

Pass rate on NCLEX-RN licensure and FNP certification exams by nursing students.

2,300

of R N t o

# Nu

Meals for families in need packed through annual high school Chick-Fil-A Leadership Academy.

International Academic Conference on the Blues.

O nl

Public university in Mississippi to offer Commercial Aviation undergraduate and graduate degrees.

ng ki

Entertainment Industry Studies program in Mississippi.

Ra n

ONLY…

New, Level 6, Flight Training Device, certified by the FAA — housed inside a special climate controlled structure which stands within the aviation department building. The device displays GPS-generated panoramic views, while giving operators a life-like experience of flying a real plane.

100,000

r rsing P

1 Planetarium

on campus. Wiley Planetarium is the only one of its kind and the only one that’s university-run in Mississippi.

Length of time F.E. Woodall Spring Conference for Helping Professionals has provided professional development for counselors and other school professionals.

years

35 years

Making the Literacy across the Curriculum Institute the longest running program of its type in Mississippi.

12 • Delta State Magazine • Winter/Spring 2017

Delta children impacted by HPER fitness programs and camps.

100%

Of graduates in Master of Applied Science in Geospatial Information Technologies land jobs in GIT before or after graduation.

$5 MILLION In new funding through grants for educational programs and needs, healthy lifestyle initiatives, summer teacher institutes, nursing trainee and workforce education, as well as the Levitt AMP Cleveland Music Series, the International Delta Blues Project and the Mississippi Delta National Heritage Area.

ALUMNI

Put Your Prickly Spirit into Action. Join the Okra Patch! The Okra Patch project has several components: a spirit club for students, faculty, staff and alumni to engage at athletic events; community engagement; and, a mentoring and recruitment initiative. The Office of Student Affairs is looking for spirited members to join us in the “Patch” for sporting events and away games. If you have spirit and the potential to be an Outstanding, Outgoing, (and when necessary) Obnoxious Okra fan, WE WANT YOU!

Visit www.deltastate.edu/OkraPatch to join!

#promotethePatch The Office of Student Affairs | (662) 846-4150 Winter/Spring 2017 • Delta State Magazine • 13

CAMPUS

Delta State Radio

Delta State Radio (WDSW-LP 88.1), a low-power FM station broadcasting from the campus of Delta State University, launched Nov. 6, 2015, with the goal of providing community-targeted radio programming. “The Delta State University Foundation, along with friends and supporters, helped us achieve this goal by providing in-kind and private dollar contributions,” DSU President LaForge said. “It’s all privately funded, and we hope to continue that going forward.” ”As the university continues to build its reputation nationally through quality academic programs in music and culture, the station offers unique opportunities for Delta State students and the surrounding community,” LaForge added. “The radio station will give us a little pizzazz as a university and a community,” he said. “We have new opportunities to keep our constituencies apprised of events and activities. It will also give some of our students a chance to participate in the broadcast end of it. This will certainly be a nice addition to Delta State’s focus on music and culture.” The station was born through the generous donation of equipment by Delta State alumnus J. Boyd Ingram and radio station owner Larry Fuss, the support of the DSU Foundation, and the hard work of Ed Czelada and the Elijah Mondy family. The current music was generously provided by J. J. Jobe, Co-President of RWPC, Inc. who is the father of one of our current students. The station is just at the beginning point, with plans to greatly expand the local programs and community involvement. The station currently plays a mix of music from genres including classic rock (morning), blues (afternoon), pop (late afternoon), and jazz (late night). The station will continue to develop a broader mix of community-oriented programs created and supported by volunteers both from the Delta State campus and the community. The original programming began last Fall with the noon hour featuring “bucket list” shows. This was an on-air interview with faculty, staff, students, and alumni who discussed their top 10 songs they would listen to while riding the back roads. It provided a very eclectic song selection and gave listeners the chance to get to know the guests better. The station hopes to continue this show and broaden other original programming. The involvement of students and community volunteers will be essential in order for the station to achieve its mission “to engage in and celebrate the diversity of Cleveland and Delta State University through alternative, non-commercial, community-targeted radio programming and to offer broadcast learning opportunities for community members and the Delta State family,” according to the station’s website, www.deltastate.edu/radio.

At left: Ed Czelada donated and installed the radio antenna on the tower atop the Union for the radio station. 14 • Delta State Magazine • Winter/Spring 2017

Photos by Rory Doyle

WDSW 88.1 FM

Sponsor the Station! Volunteer!

GIVING LEVELS

For more information on Delta State Radio or to sign up as a volunteer, visit www.deltastateradio. com. The station is seeking both volunteers and donations through memberships and time. $10 – STUDENT MEMBERSHIP Open only to current Delta State students, this one-year WDSW-LP membership includes a bumper sticker and thank you note from the station. $25 – SUPPORTER Open to anyone, this one-year WDSW-LP membership comes with a bumper sticker and thank you note from the station. $50 – BOOSTER Booster level contributors receive a one-year WDSW-LP membership, bumper sticker, wrist band and thank you note from the station. $100– FM HERO FM Hero membership comes with a one-year WDSW-LP membership, t-shirt and thank you note from the station. $285 – SPONSOR THE STATION FOR A DAY Radio Sponsors for a Day will have their name mentioned on the air, a temporary graphic on the station website, and will receive a t-shirt and a thank you note from the radio station. Sponsor the station for four days or more and become a lifetime member! Clockwise from top: DSU’s President LaForge officially launches of the radio station; April Mondy and her father Elijah Mondy; radio station donors Mr. and Mrs. J. Boyd Ingram with President LaForge; ribbon cutting at the station.

$1000 OR MORE – LIFETIME MEMBER Lifetime members will receive lifetime memberships to the station, yearly updates, a tour of the station and their name listed on the website, as well as receiving a t-shirt, wristband, bumper sticker and thank you note from the radio station.

Corporations and organizations also can become underwriters of station programming. To make a gift to the radio station, visit www. deltastategiving.org.

LISTEN LIVE

FROM EVERYWHERE: deltastateradio.com www.deltastate.edu

Winter/Spring 2017 • Delta State Magazine • 15

CAMPUS

Student Standout Reflects DSU Prep Excellence Bonnie Beth Moore, a recent ACS-certified Chemistry graduate from Delta State, began medical school at the University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Medicine in August. She was accepted to the UMMC School of Medicine where she was in the top 10% of the applicant pool for the 2016-2017 academic year. Due to her top-ranked standing, Bonnie Beth was invited back to the UMMC campus and facilities for a “Second Look.” Moore was an Elliott Scholar who graduated summa cum laude with over 160 credit hours, all the while being very active in campus life. For example, she was on the DSU cheerleading squad and was president of the student chapter of the American Chemical Society (ACS). She completed an ACS certified degree in chemistry in the Department of Chemistry and Physics which gave her excellent preparation for medical school. “This has been demonstrated in her performance on the MCAT and acceptance as one of their top choices. She exemplifies the best in a premedical student,” says Dr. Joe Bentley, Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Physics.

“Her performance at DSU and acceptance to medical school is a testament to the hard work of our faculty as both teachers and advisors for our pre-professional students. She is one of the best students to ever matriculate at Delta State University” “Not only did the chemistry courses at Delta State prepare me for the MCAT, but the faculty also gave me support throughout the process, supplying me with letters of recommendation, interview preparation, and anything else I needed to help me gain admission,” Bonnie Beth Moore explains. Bonnie Beth is from Olive Branch, Mississippi and was a 2012 graduate of Lewisburg High School.

S AV E T H E D AT E

The goals of “Winning the Race: Advancing Social Justice in Communities and Institutions” are to facilitate engaged campus and community dialogue regarding current issues related to social justice and to rekindle opportunities for municipalities of the Mississippi Delta to collaborate and promote racial healing. Learn more at: www.deltastate.edu/winning-the-race/

16 • Delta State Magazine • Winter/Spring 2017

Photos by Rory Doyle

(L to R) Dr. James Gerald, Julie Mosow, President LaForge, Jean Lynch, and Dr. Adam Johanson are shown with a picture of Roy L. and Clara Belle Wiley, after whom the planetarium is named. Julie and Jean are the daughters of the Wileys, Gerald and Johanson are physics professors at DSU. Johanson also serves as Director of the Wiley Planetarium.

Planetarium Re-Opens in Caylor White-Walters The Roy L. and Clara Belle Wiley Planetarium at Delta State, housed in the CaylorWhite-Walters complex, celebrated a grand re-opening after major renovations to the facility were completed this past summer. The planetarium was founded in 1976 and named for Roy Lee Wiley and his wife Clara Belle Wiley. Roy taught Physics at Delta State from 1942-1975. Recent upgrades to the facility were a big part of the $18 million overhaul at Delta State’s science and math building. Renovations on the entire building are nearing completion. The planetarium is used for university astronomy classes and also presents special programs for schools and the general public. In addition to its new seats, carpet and other amenities, the renovation also included the installation of the dual projector Digistar 5 planetarium system from Evans and Sutherland, and the profes-

sional quality 5.1 surround-sound system from Bowen Technovation. The system not only allows users to move their view of the stars back and forth through time, but it also lets users fly through the solar system to the other planets. As a bonus, it also turns the planetarium into a 3-D digital theater. “The astronomy classes will, of, course use the planetarium, but one long-term goal is to use the planetarium as an instructional tool for other subjects,” said Dr. James Gerald, assistant professor of physics. “Dr. Adam Johanson helped a student with a project this summer to build 3-D models of molecules and display them on the dome. The priority of the planetarium will be teaching astronomy, but we will also have public outreach through shows. We look forward to collaborating with other departments across campus to create new content, and watch for us to start having more shows

for the public. This will help us broaden the educational mission of the planetarium.” Johanson, an assistant professor of physics, is looking forward to using the planetarium to inspire people of all ages. “Most people have had a fascination with astronomy sometime in their life, particularly as little children,” said Johanson. “We hope that all will rediscover that child-like wonder as they experience the awe and majesty of the cosmos in the immersive environment at the Wiley Planetarium.” The planetarium will have its own public programming and new shows are currently being added to the schedule.

FOR MORE INFORMATION planetarium@deltastate.edu www.deltastate.edu/planetarium/

Winter/Spring 2017 • Delta State Magazine • 17

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

by Ashley Locke

eople travel internationally to follow the Mississippi Blues trail, making stops in Pontotoc, Cleveland, Tupelo, Oxford, and more. This is the same path Delta State Alumni Josh West followed, but his journey ended with a different kind of blues- raw, bespoke denim jeans. West came to Delta State from Pontotoc, Mississippi. “I wanted to go somewhere that a lot of my high school classmates were not going,” he said. “Coming from a small town, I was attracted to the closeknit community. I was also offered a scholarship to play drums for the music ensemble, Renaissance.” With the group, he was able to travel and perform all over the world, continuing the legacy of music excellence stemming from the Delta. The music ensemble was a lot of outsiders’ first experience with Delta State, and many students were recruited

18 • Delta State Magazine • Winter/Spring 2017

to attend the university after seeing their performances. “Playing drums for Renaissance is one of my fondest memories of college,” West said. West graduated from Delta State in May of 2005 with a degree in English. Upon graduating, he spent a summer in Washington D.C. interning for then congressman Roger Wicker. From there, he went on to earn a Masters of Public Policy from Mississippi State University. While pursuing his Masters, he spent a semester abroad at Kings College in London. After finishing graduate school, he began working in commercial real estate. This job kept him and his wife Jill traveling around the southeast. When they decided to have children, they chose to plant their roots close to home in Tupelo, Mississippi. It was here that Blue Delta Jean Company got its start. "As an economic developer for several counties, I spend a lot of time in factories, both domestic and foreign. I just started noticing that we had so much trained

sewing talent in the area. I wanted to use the available resources. I realized the garment industry could be that avenue.” With that in mind, he called his friend, Cleveland native and Ole Miss graduate Nick Weaver, and pitched him the idea. “I needed a partner and I knew Nick would be energetic, committed, and crazy enough to do this with me.” As the team began to take shape, Josh and Nick added Bud Homan, another Delta State graduate (2005) as a partner. “Nick and I are big picture types and Bud is a nuts and bolts guy. He is detail oriented and we knew we needed him on the team.” “I grew up around entrepreneurs. My dad has always worked in a family business my grandfather started, and he and my uncle still run together,” West said. “He always told me to work for someone else to avoid the headache but it didn't stick." They bought a sewing factory in Memphis in 2011 and moved everything

From Left: Josh West, CEO of Blue Delta Jean Co. ; Josh Mabus, President of Mabus Agency; and Nick Weaver, COO of Blue Delta Jean Co.

to Tupelo. They hired their first seamstress, who is still with the company today, in January of 2012, and the first pair of jeans was sold in June of 2012. Interest grew, and people started showing up at the factory requesting a pair of jeans. “We attempted to avoid retail altogether and be a wholesale only producer, but after we saw the response from locals wanting to buy our product, we opened our flagship studio in Oxford. Nick lives in Oxford and kept telling me a retail location there would work. He was right," West said. Today the company sells jeans in over 30 U.S. cities, with accounts in London and Toronto. One of their primary customers, Tom James Company, is the largest custom clothing company in the world. An important part of Blue Delta’s booming popularity is the fact that it is bespoke. Each person who orders a pair of Blue Delta jeans— is measured, and a custom pattern is made. The customer also gets to pick out the color, cut, and weight of the denim, as well as the thread color. “We

take about 18 different measurements and make the exact jean that you want,” said West. “We have never and will never make an off-the-rack jean. When you see the Blue Delta emblem, you know the jean was made just for that person.” This customization allows their jean to fit any possible customer. West was prepared to interact with such a broad clientele base because of his experience at Delta State. “Delta State has a lot going for it, including the diversity of the student body,” he said. “There’s not a typical Delta State student." The personalization is taken one step further by Blue Delta’s use of raw denim. Raw denim comes straight from the loom with no washing, processing, or fading. This means that the jean fades naturally each time it is worn, so each customers’ fade is unique. “We wanted people to get the product that they bought. Raw denim lasts longer, because the customer breaks the jean in themselves. There is no dyeing or aging involved.”

“We have never and will never make an off-the-rack jean. When you see the Blue Delta logo, you know the jean was made just for that person.” - Josh West

Winter/Spring 2017 • Delta State Magazine • 19

The company can also clone your favorite pair of jeans. Send them your most beloved pair, and they can create a replica for you. Blue Delta has made jeans for everyone from musicians to professional athletes. “We get to interact with people from all

over the word. It's a high-touch business, so you get to know the customer well. We've built our brand around it.” Because Blue Delta builds a relationship with their customers, over half of them purchase more than one pair of jeans. “The best compliment is looking back at our sales and seeing repeat clients,” said West. Though the jeans are now sold worldwide, the Delta itself was an important factor in the creation of Blue Delta jeans. The name of the company was partly inspired by the cotton farming in the Delta. The company also benefitted from human resources — the talented seamstresses with decades of experience who made the garment industry in Mississippi. “I honestly believe that there are very few places in the U.S. that could do what we do,” said West. “The talent pool in North Mississippi works very well with our customization. Every jean is hand cut and sewn in Tupelo by a small staff. We’re not doing it here because we’re forcing it to work. It just works.” Though the spark for combining industry and fashion began on expeditions

20 • Delta State Magazine • Winter/Spring 2017

during his time in London on and around Savile Row, the true foundation for Blue Delta began at Delta State University. “Delta State gave me the room I needed to grow and become productive,” West said. “The people there invested in me, and over time they taught me a lot about being a leader and a self-starter. They taught me how to be aggressive, and also how to treat people. I will forever be grateful for my time at Delta State.” West attributes a lot of his success to being able to spend one on one time with his professors. “The small school atmosphere really allows the staff to work with you, but it’s up to the student to make that happen. I knew I had support from the university. At a larger university, I don’t think I would have felt the same way,” he said. Blue Delta jeans begin around $400 and go to over $1000 per pair. Clients are always able to choose from over 30 types of denim and fabrics, depending on the season. The client can then choose to have a boot cut, flare, straight, or skinny jean. With eleven thread colors also available, the combinations are endless. Blue Delta does not see itself as elite or trendy. They do not have a set clientele. Instead, they put themselves out there for everybody. In a world where mass produced jean sizes vary at each company, Blue Delta only worries about one size— yours. They took an old concept — hand sewn, custom denim — and made it new. Since Blue Delta was founded, raw denim sales have grown from about one percent to ten percent of the jean market, and there’s no doubt that the company has encouraged that growth. In the last five years, Blue Delta has made a mark on Mississippi. From the Delta State green, to the Delta blues, Mississippi has also made a mark on his company. “I love every part of our state. The Delta is a beautiful, mysterious place that no one can truly understand until you stay there a while. We’re from here, and we grew up here. We’re Mississippi guys, all of us.” You can keep up with the company by following them on Instagram (@ bluedeltajeans) or on Twitter (@ bluedeltajeans). Visit their website (www. bluedeltajeans.com) to book a fitting.

“The people there invested in me, and over time they taught me a lot about being a leader and a self-starter. They taught me how to be aggressive, and also how to treat people. I will forever be grateful for my time at Delta State.” - Josh West

Left, Josh West, CEO of Blue Delta Jean Co., looks on as Nick Weaver, COO of Blue Delta Jean Co. prepares for the next pair’s production.

Winter/Spring 2017 • Delta State Magazine • 21

The

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

Hannahs

Going GREEN: A Family Affair Gwin Hannah always knew Delta State was a special place. A native of Cleveland, Mississippi, Delta State was practically in his backyard as a child, so it was only natural that he would attend Delta State when it was time for college. Both his sisters Wanda ’58 and Lena ’61 were also graduates of Delta State. Gwin obtained his Bachelor of Science Education from what was known then as Delta State College in 1965. Later that summer, he married his high school sweetheart, Freda McKay, who attended Delta State as well, and began “Delta State was teaching social studies at Flora High School in Flora, a great experience Mississippi. In 1969, he received his Master’s in Education in Guidance from Delta State College, and he became the and prepared me first Guidance Counselor at Margaret Green Junior High for what I wanted in Cleveland. Little did he know that his time at Delta State to conquer in life; would cause a ripple effect on his family. I want that for my His daughter Melissa (Missy) went on to attend Delta family as well.” State, graduating with her degree in Accounting in 1988. - Gwin Hannah His son Will also graduated from Delta State in 1990 with a degree in biology. Missy married Tim Kistemaker, and eventually moved to South Carolina. The couple have three children: Hannah, Bethany, and Ryan. When it came time for Hannah to choose a college, Delta State wasn’t initially on her radar, although her grandfather and mother had been encouraging her to look at their alma mater. What peaked her interest was her desire to study digital media. She googled universities with digital media programs, and the top two results were a school that was fairly close to her home, and Delta State. She took it as a sign to visit Mississippi, and as everyone who has been to Delta State knows, she fell in love with the campus almost immediately. Hannah started her junior year at Delta State in the fall of 2016. Her sister Bethany plans to join her after she graduates from high school in 2017. Gwin still has two grandchildren who are undecided, and he is hoping that he can persuade them to follow in his footsteps as well. President LaForge shares the fighting okra spirit with Hannah Kistemaker, as her mother, Missy Hannah Kistemaker, looks on.

Share your Delta State story! Scan the code or visit www.deltastategiving.org/ alumniassociation/shareyour story

22 • Delta State Magazine • Winter/Spring 2017

Hey Alumni!

Download the new Delta State University

ALUMNI APP!

• update your info • make a gift • check out event schedules • pay your dues SEARCH: DSU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OR DELTA STATE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

DEVELOPMENT

L to R: DSU Chief Development Officer Gary Bouse, Greene Sayle, Jimmie Stennett, Michael Brasell, Kevin Sayle, Dr. Billy Moore, Ike Sayle.

Sayle Oil Family Starts Scholarship Fund FOR BUSINESS MAJORS FROM PANOLA OR TALLAHATCHIE COUNTIES By Larry Liddell Isaac E. Sayle founded the Sayle Oil Company in 1947 in Charleston. The operation began primarily as a service station with delivery of petroleum products to farms and country stores. Prior to his passing in 2015, Sayle began to talk to his family about “giving back to the community we serve.” In an effort to fulfill his father’s desire to give back to this area, Sayle Oil Company President Issac W. “Ike” Sayle and Company General Manager Jimmie Stennett recently announced a commitment of $50,000 from the company to endow a scholarship at Delta State. With the third generation of Sayles in the process of taking over the operation of the company, the family decided the time was right to establish a scholarship fund. Throughout the years, several members of the Sayle family have graduated from

or attended Delta State. Stennett, who is also Ike’s brother-in-law and a Delta State graduate, worked directly with the Delta State University Foundation on facilitating the company’s commitment. “The Sayle Family wants to give back to the community that we serve and thought that helping Delta State students get their degrees would be one way to accomplish this goal,” Stennett says. Once fully funded, the endowed scholarship fund will provide approximately $2,000 annually for any business major from Panola or Tallahatchie County. The scholarship is designated to students from Panola or Tallahatchie counties who are pursuing a degree from the College of Business. “We are so grateful to Ike Sayle, President, and Jimmie Stennett, General Manager of Sayle Oil, for their support and willingness to assist our students in obtaining a quality business degree,” says Billy Moore, Dean of the Delta State Univer-

sity College of Business. “These vital contributions provide accessibility for future business students, the impact of which will exist long into the future. “This scholarship allows many students who otherwise would not have been able to attend Delta State’s College of Business now to have that as an option,” Moore says. “This transformative fund may be the margin that allows talented students from Panola or Tallahatchie County to attend our university.” Moore also says Sayle’s support will assist the College of Business “in our vision of producing business and aviation leaders that will benefit organizations and society as a whole.” Over the company’s 70 year history, Sayle Oil has evolved from a service station delivering petroleum products to farms and country stores to a regional company with almost 300 employees specializing in distribution and retail of petroleum and petroleum products in addition to the operation of its convenience stores. Delta State is an important part of the company’s plan for future growth. “We have hired Delta State graduates over the years and have found the business school graduates well qualified to fill our positions,” Stennett says. As the company continues expansion efforts, Stennett commented, “We look forward to hiring more in the future.”

Winter/Spring 2017 • Delta State Magazine • 23

GIVING BACK EACH YEAR:

Statesmen, Find YOUR Place! Each year hundreds of graduates file out of Delta State University ready to tackle the world and its opportunities. And after beginning a career many offer their thanks to their university by giving back financially — particularly in areas that impacted them. There are plenty of areas to donate to such as the Statesmen Club, the Bologna Performing Arts Center or the DSU Foundation Annual Fund. Find your place to make a difference year after year!

STATESMEN CLUB • Established in 1970 as DSU Booster club • Restructured as the Statesmen Club in 2013 • Supports both men’s and women’s intercollegiate athletics, funding opportunities across 13 different sports

THREE GIVING OPPORTUNITIES: • Annual Giving Program - Legends Society ($25,000 plus) - Legacy Club ($1,000 annually) and Statesmen 360° ($360 a year or $30 a month) • Student-Athlete Scholarship Endowment • Special Projects Fund

More info: GoStatesmen.com or contact Matt Jones at matt@deltastate.edu or 662.846.4284

BOLOGNA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

DSU FOUNDATION ANNUAL FUND “I invite and encourage everyone to make a gift to the Annual Fund regardless of the amount,” said Keith Fulcher, Executive Director of the Alumni and Foundation Office. “These flexible funds are needed on a frequent occurrence and have the greatest impact on the university.” About the DSU Foundation Annual Fund: • DSU alumni and friends may contribute to this premier giving opportunity. • provides the University with flexible resources to meet unexpected needs. • established in 1995 to provide the university unrestricted dollars.

Funds may help to: • market the university. • aid faculty and staff development. • award scholarships to deserving and needy students. • fund new academic initiatives.

Annual Fund gifts have: • bolstered the Admissions Office’s ability to recruit students. • enhanced the Student Success Center’s efforts with student retention. • provided new windows for historic Broom Hall, College of Business. • purchased new weapons for Police Department and funded training. • developed marketing items to tout the university’s relationship with the newly opened GRAMMY Museum Mississippi. Learn more: Contact Missy Pearce at mpearce@deltastate.edu or log onto www.deltastategiving.org/unrestrictedannualgiving/annualfund

24 • Delta State Magazine • Winter/Spring 2017

Each June, the Bologna Performing Arts Center’s new season is announced. Executive Director Laura Howell explains how essential it is to support the BPAC. “Our Annual Members are critical. Like most art organizations, ticket sales are not enough to support our programming costs,” Howell said.

How to become an Annual Member: • join online through the DSU Foundation or BPAC websites. • call the BPAC at 662-846-4625. • fill out and mail in the membership form, which may be downloaded at bolognapac.com/support/annual-members/ BPAC Annual Member benefits: (varies by level) • ability to purchase tickets in advance • parking passes • access to the Patron’s Lounge • complimentary season ticket packages • much more! Our Annual Members’ support helps to: • keeps the arts thriving in the Delta. • ensure a vibrant future for the arts community by supporting the programming and educational outreach opportunities of the Center • cover our programming expenses for the current season • aid the Programming Committee by using the level of support as a gauge for next season. The current level of involvement is analyzed to project our booking for the next season.

Learn more: www.bolognapac.com or www.deltastategiving.org

DRMC Provides Funds to Nursing Faculty at DSU Why did Delta Regional Medical Center give Delta State University’s Robert E. Smith School of Nursing money for faculty expansion? “That’s easy,” says Amy Walker, Chief Nursing Officer at DRMC. “Nurses are important to our medical center and Delta State produces excellent nurses. We have an excellent relationship with DSU and we want to maintain and improve that relationship.” In spring 2016, DRMC Chief Executive Officer Scott Christensen announced a $20,000 gift to the Smith School of Nursing to assist in the growth of faculty in the school. The gift follows recent commitments from other area hospitals and medical centers with an expressed interest in supporting one of Mississippi’s premier nursing programs. Dr. Vicki Bingham, Dean of the Smith School of Nursing expressed her appreciation of DRMC’s gift, stating, “We are very appreciative of DRMC honoring us in this way.” A large percentage of the nurses at DRMC are graduates of the nursing school at DSU. One reason for that may be because a large percentage of the nurses there come from the Delta and they want to remain close to home. That creates a win-win scenario for DRMC. “We will take as many of DSU’s nursing graduates as we can get,” Walker says seriously. “We have an Extern program whereby nursing students at DSU can work at DRMC the summer before they graduate and get paid plus earn credit hours at the same time. That way they get to know us and we get to know them.” The student’s grade point average is considered for placement in the extern program. Walker points out that DRMC has a clinical agreement with Delta State and participates in job fairs, healthcare seminars and other things at the school. “Just a great relationship,” she says. Walker says DRMC is “very satisfied” with the nurses DSU provides each year. “At least half of our new nurses this fall are graduates of the Robert E. Smith School of Nursing at Delta State University,” Walker says. “That should tell you how we feel about DSU nurses.” Dr. Gary Bouse, Chief Development Officer at Delta State University joined Dean Bingham in echoing appreciation for DRMC. “Increasing faculty is a critical component to growing our nursing programs at Delta State,” according to Bouse. “We are grateful to Delta Regional Medical Center for their support of our nursing programs, and look forward to working with DRMC in the future to meet their needs.”

Entergy Mississippi Gives Grant to Delta State InFuSE Program The Bolivar County Power Lunch was held at Delta State University, which celebrated a new $50,000 grant presented to Delta State by Entergy. “At Entergy, our vision is ‘We Power Life’. That means not only providing electricity, but also enriching our communities through improved educational opportunities,” said Haley Fisackerly, Entergy Mississippi President and CEO. “Our grant to Delta State will be divided between providing scholarships for worthy students and helping to fund the InFuSE program. This program will provide more students with science and technology skills and education, preparing them for the in-demand jobs of the future.” This is not the first time that Entergy Mississippi has partnered with schools in the region they serve. In 2012, the company received two Governor’s Awards of Distinction from the Mississippi Association of Partners in Education. The company has been listed in the top 10 for Site Selection magazine’s Top Utilities in Economic Development for the past eight years; and this year, Corporate Responsibility magazine named Entergy Corporation #18 overall among the Top 100 Corporate Citizens and #4 in corporate giving. “Delta State University deeply values its partnership with Entergy Mississippi, and sincerely appreciates their support of our students and of InFuSE, the university’s current initiative to secure private funding to support programs in the sciences,” said Gary Bouse, Chief Development Officer, Delta State Foundation. Speakers at this event included: Robbin Jeter, Vice President of Customer Service and Operations; Ed Gardner, Director of Business and Economic Development; Aaron Hill, Manager of Transmission Planning; Brandon Presley, Mississippi Public Service Commissioner, Northern District; Cecil Brown, Mississippi Public Service Commissioner, Central District; and Haley Fisackerly, President and CEO of Entergy Mississippi. Entergy Mississippi, Inc. started as Mississippi Power and Light Company in 1923. Entergy Mississippi now serves over 445,000 customers in 45 counties.

Winter/Spring 2017 • Delta State Magazine • 25

DEVELOPMENT

JAMES BROOM CUMULATIVE GIVING SOCIETY Levels of Generosity & Excellence

In 1924, James Wesley Broom (pictured at left) was appointed Delta State University’s first president on February 14 — giving Valentine’s Day a new meaning. Though he only served a year before his untimely death, his stamp on the school in garnering financial support and appropriations ensured its future. To honor the inaugural president, the James Broom Cumulative Giving Society was formed. It recognizes the cumulative giving of donors to the Delta State University Foundation. Each level honors a DSU president:

WILLIAM KETHLEY SOCIETY

$5,000,000 + Kethley led from 1926 to 1956 as the school joined the American Association of Teachers Colleges and the Southern Association of Colleges. Delta State Teachers College was renamed Delta State College during his tenure.

JAMES EWING SOCIETY

$3,000,000 to $4,999,999 From 1956 to 1971, Dr. Ewing expanded the college in enrollment, buildings and education divisions. Enrollment grew from 527 to 3,309. Faculty increased by 100 professors – including the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) level.

KENT WYATT SOCIETY

$1,000,000 to $2,999,999 Wyatt’s career began as Alumni Director before assisting both Ewing and Lucas. His 1975 to 1999 tenure included fundraising success, athletic excellence in women’s basketball and education. He delivered the first doctoral degree in 1984.

AUBREY LUCAS SOCIETY

$500,000 to $999,999 Dr. Lucas guided the college from 1971 to 1975 through reaccreditation and a new moniker, Delta State University. The women’s basketball program was re-established and won a national championship during his helm.

26 • Delta State Magazine • Winter/Spring 2017

DAVID POTTER SOCIETY

$250,000 to $499,999 Dr. Potter served from 1999 to 2002 and embraced his responsibility to build on past achievements. He took an active role in supporting athletics, arts, and academics.

JOHN HILPERT SOCIETY

$100,000 to $249,999 Dr. Hilpert sought to expand facilities, academic opportunities and dared the university to dream big. The Delta Music Institute was created under his administration. He served from 2003 to 2012.

WILLIAM N. LAFORGE SOCIETY $50,000 to $99,999 Named president of his alma mater, President LaForge began his tenure in April of 2013. His unique vision as a former student combined with his background in both public and private sector worlds, President LaForge has plans to ensure and grow DSU’s educational footprint.

JAMES EWING SOCIETY ($3,000,000-$4,999,999) Robert E. Smith KENT WYATT SOCIETY ($1,000,000-$2,999,999) Dr. & Mrs. Nino Bologna Delta Regional Foundation William & Patricia Dorgan, Sr. Robert M. Hearin Foundation Mike & Nan Sanders Tri State Educational Foundation W. K. Kellogg Foundation AUBREY LUCAS SOCIETY ($500,000-$999,999) Louis & Sylvia Baioni City of Cleveland Delta & Pine Land Bryce & Nancy Griffis Tim & Nancy Harvey Infolab, Inc. S.H. & D.W. Kyle Educational Trust Fred & Joan Pittman Jimmy & Hazel Sanders Jimmy & Hazel Sanders Charitable Trust DAVID POTTER SOCIETY ($250,000-$499,999) David & Sherry Abney Annenberg Foundation ANONYMOUS Aureola Boyd George & Marcia Bryan

Cleveland State Bank Stacy & Fay Davidson Estate of William “Doc” Griffin Estate of S. Wayne Thompson Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund Graeber Foundation David Lindh Madison Charitable Foundation, Inc. Bettye & Ned Mitchell Hartley & Mary Peavey Richard & Sharon Post Jimmy Sanders Inc. The Baxter International Foundation The Phil Hardin Foundation JOHN HILPERT SOCIETY ($100,000-$249,999) Academy for Educational Development Joe & Margaret Aguzzi Victor & Fern Aguzzi American General Life & Accident ANONYMOUS George & Mary Arendale AT&T Lee & Susie Baker BellSouth Margaret Boeth Harold & Sally Bolding Bolivar Medical Center Foundation Patsy Boone Vivian Hannah-Brown Cable One Hunter & Suzanne Cade Jeff & Jackie Capwell Fred & Margaret Carl

Travis & Corinne Casanova Casey Family Programs Cellular South Foundation Chinese Baptist Church of Cleveland Community Foundation of Greater Memphis Community Foundation of Northwest MS John & Beth Crawford Delta State University Alumni Association Delta Western Entergy Mississippi, Inc. Entergy Services, Inc. Estate of Martha Francis Bullock Estate of Zach Hederman John & Jutta Karnstedt Ferretti Gertrude C. Ford Foundation Governor’s Commission to Promote Mississippi Greenwood Leflore Hospital John & Hilda Hamner Harry Harrell His Way Incorporation Lucy Somerville Howorth Jeanette Hyde Isle of Capri Casino, Lula Lucy & Paul Janoush Jantran, Inc. Sue & Martin King Kossman’s, Inc. Lewis & Lewis Attorneys Lower Mississippi Delta Service Corps, Inc. LT Corporation National Community Services, Inc. Nissan North America, Inc.

Welcome New Broom Society Members! TIM HARVEY Laurel native Tim Harvey took his BBA degree in Computer Information Systems and made his mark in the hotel industry. His wife Nancy graduated with honors with a BSE in Social Science Education from Delta State. “He (Coach Dave “Boo” Ferriss) taught me more about life and how to treat people and how to lead by example,” Harvey said. “When it was time to give back, Delta State was number one on our list.” The Harveys’ example was a lead financial gift of over a half a million dollars to start the $1.1 million remodeling of Delta State’s baseball stadium which was renamed in their honor as the Tim and Nancy Harvey Stadium. Just over $900,000 has been raised for the special project.

Amber Heflin Ockerbloom Peavey Electronics Corporation Pete & Donna Peden Perry Rentals Marilyn & Robert Ragan Travis & Margaret Richardson James Robinson Rock River Foundation, Inc. Michael & Holly Sanders A. B. Smith SouthGroup Insurance and Financial Services Steve Azar St. Cecilia Foundation Straddlefork Foundation Rose Strahan Strohm’s Manufacturing, Inc. The Mitchell Group Betty Thigpen Patricia Thrash Jim & Frances Tims Union Planters of NW MS University of Mississippi Barksdale Reading Institute Margaret Heard Walker Anne & Charles Weissinger Bennie & Millie Wright Leila Wynn Yawkey Foundation II WILLIAM N. LAFORGE SOCIETY ($50,000-$99,999) Bank of Cleveland Barfield, Lindsey, Gainspoletti & Gladden, CPA Barfield, Salley & Associates Elena Barham-Mize Bolivar Medical Center Charles & Rebecca Brock Allen & Michelle Burrell

Casey Family Programs Mabel Crawford Jackie Joe & Ann Davis Deer Creek Foundation Dixie Tobacco & Candy Company Double Quick Robert & Mary Elliott Exxon Exxon Education Foundation Philip & Sarah Farr Feduccia Trust Dave “Boo” & Miriam Ferriss First National Bank of Rosedale Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Tom & Louise Gresham Walton & Laura Gresham Gubernatorial Inaugural Committee Jerome & Jo Hafter Thomas & Ruth Ann Harden Hollywood Casino Corporation J. Stein Foundation Trust Peter & Pat Jernberg Andrew Jones Ray Joyce Kitty & Ed Kossman Bill & Nancy LaForge Bobby Mandal Bill & Draughon McPherson Georgia Ann & John McPherson Cynthia Mitchell Maxine & Roy Moore Merit Health Northwest Mississippi Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust

Jason & Lori Morris Edward Muir Nehi Bottling Company Jimmy & Crystal Newquist Mike and Martha Neyman North Sunflower Medical Center Billy & Becky Nowell Johnny & Jane Parker William Paty Billy & Lisa Percy Planters Bank & Trust Company of Cleveland Planters Bank & Trust Company of Indianola Quality Steel Corporation Renasant Bank Alyce Richardson Penny & Willard Samuels Sayle Oil Company Anna Schooler Rick Shepherd Homer & Joyce Sledge, Jr. Homer & Susan Sledge, III Smith Barney Charitable Trust, Inc. Staplcotn Deanie & Jay Stein John & Carol Tatum The Mississippi United Methodist Foundation Viking Range Corp. Sam Waggoner Wal-Mart Foundation Kent & Janice Wyatt Jane Youell

JAMES BROOM CUMULATIVE GIVING SOCIETY DONORS

WILLIAM KETHLEY SOCIETY (5,000,000+) The Mississippi Breast Foundation

Giving to Delta State today enhances the present-day university and its future. Each gift multiplies to continue the transformation of education. Start here, www.deltastategiving.org or call 662-846-4704 to make your gift.

DR. PATSY THRASH Dr. Thrash graduated in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science in Education from Delta State and honored her mother, naming and endowing a scholarship in her honor. She inaugurated the Weaver Betts Cotton Scholarship for a female liberal arts student shortly after her retirement. The Boyle native was the first in her family to attend college. “The reason I gave the scholarship for my mother was that I was so grateful for everything that was given to me,” Dr. Thrash said. “I have a great loyalty for my undergraduate degree.”

CLEVELAND STATE BANK Danny Whalen, the CEO and President of Cleveland State Bank, has guided the bank’s contributions recently but noted the bank has contributed to Delta State “for as long as we have records.” “We are most proud of the endowment we established to fund the N.L. Cassibry, Jr.-Cleveland State Bank Scholarship in the College of Business,” Whalen said. “Delta State represents so many of the qualities we align with: Character and Integrity, Not Words Without Action and Be of Service to Others.”

Winter/Spring 2017 • Delta State Magazine • 27

THE NEW BEAT ON CAMPUS GRAMMY MUSEUM® MISSISSIPPI By Vickie Jackson Could you have ever imagined a GRAMMY Museum® in Cleveland, Mississippi? Think about it, there’s only one more in the world — our sister site in Los Angeles, California. Located on the campus of Delta State University (DSU), GRAMMY Museum® Mississippi opened its doors March 5, 2016, and since then has hosted over 22,000 visitors from nearly every state in the U.S. and 22 foreign countries. As visitors explore the 28,000 square foot facility, they express their amazement at the many content-rich interactives, films and exhibits, and eventually they ask the same question — “Why Cleveland?” The answer is this: because many historians consider Mississippi the “Birthplace of American Music,” and the rich musical culture of the Mississippi Delta (which is central to that idea) is known and appreciated around the world. It’s also a plus that the city of Cleveland is in close proximity to other music-centric communities like Memphis, Nashville, and New Orleans. Now, here’s the exciting part for Delta State students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Delta State University will always be a part of the Museum’s story because this institution was a major factor in bringing the Museum to the area. A major part of the Museum’s mission is education, and creating the most dynamic and exciting educational programs available for music museums today is a reality being located near the university campus with its host of resources. The university’s Delta Music Institute (DMI) Entertainment Industry Studies program was another key asset for decision makers to consider when choosing Cleveland as the GRAMMY Museum’s newest home.

28 • Delta State Magazine • Winter/Spring 2017

Once the site was determined, it didn’t take long for partnerships to form. Prior to the Museum opening, Delta State’s Horace McCool Stadium served as the venue for the Museum’s first concert featuring Mississippi’s own The Band Perry. One of the Museum’s initial programs, “Beatles Symposium 2016: From The Cavern to Candlestick,” designed to celebrate the opening of its first special exhibit, Ladies and Gentlemen…The Beatles!, was also presented through a partnership with Delta State University. Students from the DMI Entertainment Industry Studies program contribute audio engineering, song writing, musical, and event production skills to assist in education and public programs that take place at the Museum. Delta State students have participated in the Museum’s internship program since its inception, traveled to Los Angeles to participate in Mississippi Night as a part of GRAMMY® Week events, and have been invited to the White House to participate in education programs hosted by First Lady Michelle Obama in Washington, D.C. The Museum has also partnered with the Bologna Performing Arts Center for education programming; the Delta Center for Culture and Learning for the International Conference on the Blues; and is continuing to explore new partnering opportunities with the university. “It is so exciting to be able to bring some really awesome opportunities to DSU students, as well as all other age groups,” said Lucy Janoush (class of ‘78), President of the Cleveland Music Foundation, Inc. The mission of GRAMMY Museum Mississippi is to provide unique learning opportunities based on the enduring lega-

cies of all forms of music; the entire creative and technological processes of recording; and the history of the GRAMMY Awards® with a focus on the continuing achievements of Mississippians. “Our Museum welcomes visitors from all over the world to explore all genres of music and truly experience Mississippi’s deep music history,” said Emily Havens (class of ’98, ’00), Executive Director of GRAMMY Museum Mississippi. The Museum has a growing partnership with educators in the region and over 4,000 students have toured the Museum with many of them attending music-related workshops and Q&A sessions with various artists and industry insiders.

ON DISPLAY NOW THROUGH FEBRUARY 19, 2017: PRIDE AND JOY: THE TEXAS BLUES OF STEVIE RAY VAUGHN COMING IN MARCH 2017: THE TAYLOR SWIFT EXPERIENCE

The Museum was recently awarded Mississippi Tourism Association’s Travel Attraction of the Year for 2016. As you step onto our big front porch and begin to hear the music, you’ll sense the excitement of everything that awaits you inside as you enter the Museum’s spacious lobby. Just around the corner is the gallery area which is full of engaging interactives, where you can write a song with Keb’ Mo’ in the song writing and producing pods; learn about the history of dance with Ne-Yo on the lighted dance floor, and rock out like a star on various instruments in the Roland LIVE Room. Additional exhibits, films, and artifacts will take you through the history of recorded music as well as give you a backstage view of how the industry operates. The Museum’s current special exhibit is Pride and Joy: The Texas Blues of Stevie Ray Vaughan, which opened in June 2016 and will be on display through February 2017. In early March 2017, GRAMMY Museum Mississippi

will proudly present The Taylor Swift Experience, which will give visitors and fans an indepth look at the multi-platinum-selling artist as a singer, musician, songwriter, and producer. The Museum presents a diverse roster of musicians, artists, filmmakers and music industry resources through their education and public programs. These programs largely take place in the Museum’s Sanders Soundstage, the facility’s 140-seat theater which provides an intimate and up-close experience for event attendees. Programs often begin with a Q&A with the artist followed by a special live performance. Museum members enjoy one-of-akind “meet & greet” opportunities with artists and exclusive access to special “can’t buy” events. More importantly, Museum members and patrons help support the important work of GRAMMY Museum Mississippi. To become a member, contact the Museum

at membership@grammymuseumms.org or complete an application online at www. grammymuseumms.org. The Museum is also available for hosting special events. For more information, email your request to events@ grammymuseumms.org. If you live in or around the Cleveland area or if you’re back in town for a visit, we hope you will schedule time for a tour. Come share the amazing results of our imagination…right here in the heart of the Delta. For more information about GRAMMY Museum Mississippi, call 662.441.0100 or visit www.grammymuseumms.org. For breaking news and exclusive content, follow @GRAMMYMuseumMS on Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat and like “GRAMMY Museum Mississippi” on Facebook.

Winter/Spring 2017 • Delta State Magazine • 29

2016 ALUMNI HAPPENINGS

Greater Jackson Area Chapter

Greater Memphis Area Chapter

Leflore County Chapter

DeSoto County Chapter

Ole Grad Reunion

DeSoto County Chapter

In Atlanta, L to R: Keith Fulcher ‘83, Executive Director of the Delta State Alumni-Foundation; William N. LaForge ‘72, Delta State University President; David Abney ‘76, President and CEO of UPS; Margaret Leflore Carl; Fred Carl, Jr. ’75; and Tim Harvey ‘80, DSU Foundation Board President.

Leflore County Chapter

South Central MS Chapter @ Brookhaven

30 • Delta State Magazine • Winter/Spring 2017

Casey Family Programs’ Admins. with Keith Fulcher

Gulf Coast Chapter Gulf Coast Chapter

DeSoto County Chapter

Bolivar County Chapter Crawfish Boil

South Central MS Chapter @ Brookhaven

Ole Grad Reunion

Leflore County Chapter

Greater Memphis Area Chapter

DeSoto County Chapter

Winter/Spring 2017 • Delta State Magazine • 31

FALL CAMPUS EVENTS The 31st Annual Pig Pickin’ was a huge success! Great music, food, football and friends made for an unforgettable weekend. Make plans for next year — you don’t want to miss it!

32 • Delta State Magazine • Winter/Spring 2017

SAVE THE DATE

32nd Annual Pig Pickin’

OCTOBER 6 & 7 2017

Are you already a Life Member of the DSU National Alumni Association? Take it to the next level!

be a

SUSTAINING LIFE MEMBER

and help a deserving future student !

Join as a

THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY for current, paid-in-full Life Members of the Delta State University National Alumni Association to provide additional The 2016 lapel pin will feature the Hugh Ellis Walker Alumni annual support and Foundation House. to the Association with a yearly tax-deductible gift of $100 which The Delta State University National Alumni Association would like you to consider joining goes directly to the Hugh Ellis Walker SU STA INI NG LIF E ME MB ERpaidas a Sustaining Life Member for 2016. The program is a voluntary way for current • 20 16 SU STA INI Scholarship Fund. NG LIF E ME MB ER in-full Life Members of the Delta State University National Alumni Association to provide • 20

Sustaining Life Member for 2016

additional annual support to the Association with a yearly tax-deductible gift of $100 which goes directly to the Hugh Ellis Walker Scholarship Fund.

The late Hugh Ellis Walker Sr. served as Executive Director of the Alumni & Foundation Office from 1969-1993. He was instrumental in developing the Alumni Association Scholarship fund. This special scholarship is named for him.

Membership Makes a Difference. All funds raised are used strictly for the Hugh Ellis Walker Alumni Scholarship, which is given to incoming freshmen and transfer students whose parents are alumni of Delta State University and dues-paying members of the Alumni Association. The Hugh Ellis Walker Scholarship is a one-time scholarship. Over the past decade, over 200 students have received this scholarship. By the Centennial Celebration of 2025 the National Alumni Association has set a goal to award 500 Hugh Ellis Walker Scholarships.

Sustaining Life Member funds raised are used strictly for the HUGH ELLIS WALKER ALUMNI SCHOLARSHIP. The one-time scholarship is given to incoming freshmen and transfer students whose parents are alumni of Delta State University and dues-paying members of the Alumni Association.

Hugh Ellis Walker Sr. passed away on November 14, 2014, in Cleveland. Mr. Walker served as Executive Director of the Alumni & Foundation Office from 1969–1993. He was instrumental in developing the Alumni Association Scholarship fund for incoming freshman and transfer students whose parents are “Active” dues-paying members of the National Alumni Association. Mike Brister Walter The scholarship is named for him.

Over th over 20 e past decade , 0S receive TUDENTS hav d this sc e holarsh O ip . By the C UR GOAL entenn ial of 2025 , the Na Celebration tional A Associa lumni tion h award 5 as set a goal to 0

0 Hugh Walker E Scholar llis ships.

THANK YOU TO OUR 2016 SUSTAINING LIFE MEMBERS! Dr. & Mrs. Ross Story John C. Cox Keith Fulcher Dr. Rose Strahan Bill & Vickie Thompson Richard & Priscilla Aguzzi Carol Ann Wilson Terrell Eloise Walker Kelly Wyatt Thomas Nichols Jr. J. Boyd Ingram Michael Ainsworth Michael Aguzzi Lana Aguzzi Paul R. Kyle

Join as a Sustaining Life Mem ber Sustaining Life Member for 2016 for 2016 Join as a Sustaining Life Member for 2016

Join as a

The 2016 lapel

pin will featur e the Hugh Ellis Walker Alumn i and Foundation House.

Campbell William LaForge Dr. & Mrs. John J. Arnold Jonathan & Sayward Fortner John Fletcher Dr. Elbert & Claire Hilliard Milton & Doris Plitt Hubert & Paige Rackley Dr. Jerry & Charlene Graham Sondra Skaradzinski Miller & Rebekah Arant Julie Jackson Ned Franks Jeanette Hubbard Quay Carol Exsterstein Kiefer Dr. James B. Potts

Langston Rogers Mike Neyman Sandra Brewer Lazar Andrew Hays Collins Joyce Dugan Wood Sally Whites Jay Turner Catherine Keller Batenhorst Major General Thomas Moore, Jr. Sarah Gaddis Thompson Jennifer Leigh House Matthew Parker Lipscomb George Miller, Sr. George Miller, Jr. Sidney Beach Reggie Barnes

New Sustaining Life Members will receive a one-of2016 • Delta State Magazine • 43 a-kind commemorative lapel pin.

2016 lapel pin will feature the Hugh Ellis Walker Alumni The Delta The Stat e University Nati Foundation House. as a Sustaini onaland Alumni Associat ng Life Mem ion would like ber for 2016. in-full Life Mem you to The program ider joining of like the you The Delta State University National Alumni Association bers would to consider joining is a voluntary waySUS TAIcons Delta addition Stat G LIF SUSTA eLIFE al annual supp Univ INING E ME MB forNINcurr ersit y National Alum MEM BER entERpaid ort as a Sustaining Life Member for 2016. The is a voluntary way for current paidto • 201 • 2016 the goesprogram Asso ni Association 6 directly to the ciation with SUSTA INING LIFE MEM to provide SUS TAI NIN G LIF a year Hug h Ellis ly taxin-full Life Members of the Delta State University National Alumni Association to provide BER • 2016 Walker Scho dedu E ME MB ctible gift of $100 larship Fund. ER • 201 Alumni whic additional annual support to the Association with a yearly tax-deductible gift of $100 which 6 feature the Hugh Ellis Walker will h The 2016 lapel pin and Foundation House. goes directly to the Hugh Ellis Walker Scholarship Fund.

The 2017 pin design will be released soon!

consider joining would like you to SUSTA INING LIFE MEMB State University National Alumni Association ER • 2016

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FOR ALL DSU SPORTS SCHEDULES, ATHLETICS NEWS, TICKETS, & MORE! Membership Makes a Difference.

have received this Over the past decade, over 200 students

Foundation Executive Director of the Alumni & in Office from 1969–1993. He was instrumental developing the Alumni Association Scholarship nsfer

Winter/Spring 2017 • Delta State Magazine • 33

FALL CAMPUS EVENTS E E DAT7 H T E SAV coming 201

Ho me

MBER NOVE H

(Pictured above, L to R) Members of the Golden Circle Club: Dr. James Robinson, President LaForge, Langston Rogers, and Past President of the Golden Circle Club, Dr. Johnny Arnold. Robinson, Rogers, and Arnold are all 1967 graduates.

34 • Delta State Magazine • Winter/Spring 2017

ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME

BLACK OUTSTANDING ALUMNI OF THE YEAR

Charlie McGuffee, ’67 Distinguished Statesman Award

L to R: Dr. Dwaun Warmack, ’99 Georgene Clark, Retired DSU Faculty Member Donald Green, ’80

Pier-Andre Roy, ’03 Golf

Alyse Hasty, ’06 Softball

OUTSTANDING ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR, ALUMNI HALL OF FAME, AND ALUMNI AWARDS

Jennifer Armstrong Whitaker, ’02 Swimming & Diving

Rico McDonald, ’01 Football

Jim Devers, ’70 Football

Todd Mundt, ’93 Men’s Basketball

Jud Thigpen, ’09 Baseball

Mark Easley, ’85 Men’s Basketball

L to R: Richard Myers, Jr., ’91, Hugh Ellis Walker Alumni Service Award Rob Armour, Past National Alumni President Charlene Graham, ’64, Hall of Fame Charlie Pleas, III, ’87, Outstanding Alumnus of the Year, and Hall of Fame Dr. Harvey Wayne Blansett, ’73, Henry Outlaw Retired Faculty/Staff Alumni Service Award Parker Lipscomb, ’04, Kent Wyatt “Young Alumnus” Service Award Senator Eugene “Buck” Clark, Gladys Castle “Friend” of Delta State Service Award William N. LaForge, Delta State University President Not Pictured: Bob “Pic” Billingsley ’83, ’84, Hall of Fame; Walter W. Bettinger, II, (attended), Hall of Fame

Find DSU gear & gifts in one single place.

Winter/Spring 2017 • Delta State Magazine • 35

ATHLETICS

sam asa dunning

atkinson

DSU Retirees Gave Students Skills for the Game of Life By Elisabetta Zengaro It’s hard for aspiring athletes to understand, but playing sports is not the most important part of life. At least, that is the motif coaches Asa Atkinson and Sam Dunning built their legacy on—coaching young athletes to be better individuals. Both Atkinson and Dunning recently retired from coaching at Delta State. Dunning served as the head golf coach for 26 years, retiring at the end of the 2015 season. Atkinson coached tennis at Delta State for 26 years and retired after the end of the 2016 tennis season. A native of Shaw, Mississippi, Atkinson began playing tennis while he was a freshman at Mississippi State University. The only tennis lesson he ever had, though, was from his friend, Bobby Brien, who also played tennis at Mississippi State. Brien taught Atkinson how to execute a backhand-slice, but Atkinson taught himself the rest and graduated with a B.A. in history and political science from MSU in 1963. In 1967, he earned his Master’s degree in guidance counseling from Delta State. After graduate school, he began teaching and coaching tennis across the country. When he moved back to Mississippi, he joined the USPTA (United States Professional Tennis Association) in 1974 and has been a member ever since. He served as the head tennis pro at the Cleveland Country Club in 1974 and became head coach of the DSU women’s tennis team in 1990. He also became the head coach of the DSU men’s tennis team in 2001. Atkinson coached tennis at Delta State for 26 years. He coached three All-Americans, was named USPTA Mississippi Professional of the Year in 2000 and was named Gulf South Conference Women’s Coach of the Year in 2009. In 2015, he was inducted into the Mississippi Tennis Hall of Fame. About the time Atkinson took over as head women’s tennis coach for the Lady Statesmen, Dunning became the new head golf coach at DSU in 1989. “Darrell Foreman had been the coach here for 18 years and he was retiring,” Dunning said. “Dr. Wyatt talked me into it for one year, and 26 years later I retired.” A native of Canton, Mississippi, Dunning had been playing golf since he was 12. He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in business from Mississippi State, where he played golf from 1971-74. He was named MSU Outstanding Player in 1974. Following the conclusion of his collegiate career, Dunning became the head golf pro at the Cleveland Country Club in 1977, a position he still holds today.

36 • Delta State Magazine • Winter/Spring 2017

After Foreman retired, Dunning took the reins as head golf coach, which came with its challenges, such as balancing his job at the country club with coaching. During his tenure as head coach, Dunning led the Statesmen to two national championship appearances, 11 NCAA regional appearances and the 2005 GSC Championship. He coached 15 NCAA Academic AllAmericans and six NCAA DII All-Americans, and was named GSC Coach of the Year in 2005. In 2008, Dunning was inducted into the PGA Gulf States Section Hall of Fame. He was also inducted into the Delta State University Sports Hall of Fame in 2015. His greatest accomplishment, though, has been seeing his players grow and mature. “I always like to see them take their hat off and shake hands when they finish no matter how well or how poorly they played,” Dunning said. “You can tell a lot about people by how they act on the golf course because you’re not always going to play well. You’ve got to act right even when you don’t play well. That’s the same way in life. You’re going to have a lot of bad days, but it’s how you react to those bad days — that’s what’s important.” Teaching young adults right from wrong comes with the responsibility of coaching. “My son played college tennis at Samford, and he used to call and tell me all of his problems,” Atkinson said. “All of these kids that I deal with right now, they have the same problems. I’ve tried to teach these kids there are more important things in life than tennis, and I used to tell them, ‘You need to put things in priority before you walk on the tennis court, and if you do that, your tennis is going to fall into place.’” Although they recently retired from coaching, both still plan to be involved in their sports and support future athletes whenever they can. “I still see them every day, and I’m still available if they do want some help with their golf swings,” Dunning added. “It’s been a lot of fun,” Atkinson said. “I wouldn’t give anything in the world for it.”

“You’ve got to act right even when you don’t play well. That’s the same way in life.” - Sam Dunning

L to R: Asa Atkinson, DSU Athletic Director Ronnie Mayers, and Sam Dunning.

Make a Gift in their honor To make a gift to the golf program, text ‘DSUGOLF’ to 41444. To make a gift to the tennis program, text ‘DSUTENNIS’ to 41444.

Dunning

Atkinson

Winter/Spring 2017 • Delta State Magazine • 37

ATHLETICS

HARVEY STADIUM:

preserving tradition

From Left: Tim Harvey winds up to throw the first pitch. The late “Boo” Ferriss enjoyed watching the game from the new grandstand.

38 • Delta State Magazine • Winter/Spring 2017

Photos by Elisabetta Zengaro

EXPERIENCE DELTA STATE BASEBALL — IN THE NEWLY RENOVATED TIM & NANCY HARVEY STADIUM AT DAVE “BOO” FERRISS FIELD By Elisabetta Zengaro On any given Saturday afternoon, families load up their car and drive to Ferriss Field to take part in one of Delta State’s most historic traditions. Tradition has it that baseball should be an experience, not just a spectator sport. With 500 chairback seats, a brick-covered grandstand, concessions stand and video scoreboard, Delta State brings the Major League experience home to the Delta. Dave “Boo” Ferriss became the head coach of the Delta State baseball team in 1960 and coached 26 seasons at Delta State. Before coming to Delta State, he spent 10 years in the Red Sox organization beginning in 1945, where he played five years as a pitcher and spent another five years as the pitching coach. “When I came here in 1959, the baseball field was where the cafeteria is now,” Ferriss said. The baseball field was moved north of campus to its present location, and Ferriss went to work carving a baseball field out of a bean patch. The Statesmen played their first ballgame on the new field in 1964. Thanks to Ferriss and other DSU administrators, a covered grandstand, dugouts, press box, concession stand and restrooms were built, thus creating a new kind of experience for collegiate baseball fans in the Delta. He stepped down from coaching on June 18, 1988, and the field was given its iconic name, Dave “Boo” Ferriss Field, in honor of Ferriss. On Dec. 15, 2014, Delta State University Athletics officially announced plans to renovate Ferriss Field following the 2015 baseball season. Renovations began in the summer of 2015, and former All-American Tim Harvey and his wife Nancy provided a lead gift to help make the renovations possible. The facility’s renovations totaled $1.3 million and were funded by private donations. Replacing the former covered grandstand is a new elevated seating area with 500 chair-back seats. The new stadium features improved handicap access and seating, and the upper level features a new press box with two guest suites. A brick wall surrounds the outside of the new stadium seating area. New ground level dugouts that feature restrooms and storage areas replaced the old dugouts. DSU officially dedicated Tim & Nancy Harvey Stadium at Dave “Boo” Ferriss Field on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015. The dedication also marked a new era of Statesmen baseball,

where players and fans could truly have the experience Ferriss always envisioned. Delta State’s all-time record at Ferriss Field is 958-279-4 —a tradition of winning, and this past season was no exception. The Statesmen have the highest average attendance rate in DII baseball, with an average of 829 fans during the 2015 season. Upon the facility’s completion, the Statesmen opened the 2016 season at Harvey Stadium for a three-game series against Harding University with 881 fans in attendance. The Statesmen were just shy of 1,000 fans on Senior Day, the last home game of the 2016 season, with 978 fans in attendance at Harvey Stadium. A three-game sweep on opening weekend was just the beginning of what would be one of the most successful seasons in Statesmen baseball history. Throughout the season, records were shattered, players received numerous accolades, and current head coach Mike Kinnison eclipsed 850 career wins. Kinnison led the Statesmen to a 42-17 overall record and 23-9 record at home for the 2016 season. The Statesmen clinched their 13th Gulf South Conference Championship and finished as runners-up in the 2016 NCAA DII South Region Championship in Tampa, Fla. Several Statesmen were honored for their outstanding performance on the field, such as junior left-handed pitcher Tre Hobbs, senior second baseman Trent Giambrone and senior outfielder Will Robertson. Hobbs was named 2016 GSC Pitcher of the Year and NCBWA and D2CCA South Region Pitcher of the Year. Giambrone received one of the highest honors, earning the title of Defensive Player of the Year by the ABCA. After breaking the DSU record for doubles in a single season, Robertson was named a finalist for the C SPIRE Ferriss Trophy. While championship appearances, a conference trophy, accolades, and a winning season cap off the first season of baseball at Harvey Stadium, the tradition we associate with Delta State baseball started long ago. It has been the task of players and coaches to keep the tradition going. And greeting onlookers entering Harvey Stadium is a bronze statue of the man who put Delta State baseball on the map—Coach Ferriss. “We have much to be proud of,” Ferriss said. “A lot of people have helped to make it what it is today. We’ve come a long way from that bean patch.”

Winter/Spring 2017 • Delta State Magazine • 39

PROFESSOR SPOTLIGHT

Janice B. Haynes, Ph.D. ⋙ ⋙⋙⋙⋙ ⋙⋙⋙⋙ ⋙⋙⋙⋙ ⋙⋙⋙⋙ ⋙⋙⋙⋙ ⋙⋙⋙⋙ PROFESSOR OF FASHION MERCHANDISING IN THE DIVISION OF FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES Dr. Haynes received her Bachelor of Arts in Home Economics from Manchester College, North Manchester, Indiana. Her Master of Science degree is from Kansas State in Clothing and Textiles, with an emphasis in Fashion Merchandising. She earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Texas Woman’s University in Clothing and Textiles, with an emphasis in Fashion Merchandising. The first five years of her professional career were spent as a Merchandising Manager for the J.C. Penney Co. in Kansas City. She taught for five years at Texas Christian University, six years at Louisiana State, and this is her 24th year at Delta State. Dr. Haynes grew up on a dairy farm in Goshen, Indiana. She is married to J.C. Haynes and has three children. Her son, Cody, received a B.S. in Environmental Science, Wildlife Management Concentration, from Delta State in 2010. She has twin daughters, Abigail, a registered nurse, and Andrea, who earned a B. A. (2012) in Art Education, also from Delta State. Dr. Haynes also has three stepchildren and five step-grandchildren.

40 • Delta State Magazine • Winter/Spring 2017

Q. How long have you been at Delta State?

I began at Delta State in the fall of 1993. This is my 24th year.

Q. What do you like most about teaching?

There are many things that I like about teaching. I love the engagement with students and working with them on projects. The more that they become involved in certain projects and creative problem solving, the more exciting it is to teach them. Q. If you had to choose, what is your favorite course that you teach and why?

I don’t know that I have a favorite course. I love every aspect of the fashion merchandising field. It’s a natural blend of creativity and analytical thinking. The combination of art and business principles makes it multi-dimensional. But I’m sure that each student could identify their least and most favorite course, depending upon which direction they lean. Q. What is your favorite memory as a professor?

I don’t think I could narrow it down to just one. Each graduation is a favorite as I see the students finish this part of their education and reflect upon how much they have grown and developed during the process. I’ve had several students win awards at various competitions, and these are always special moments. For example, some students have had juried designs accepted at international competitions. One student was selected as one of the five top student designers at the Dallas Apparel Design Competition in 2014. This was a very big honor.

Photo by Rory Doyle

Q. What is one thing you hope your students will take away from having you as a teacher?

I stress three things among students that I think are necessary for success throughout life as well as their professional careers: Be professional, have a sense of urgency, and pay attention to details. I think compliance with those principles can stand them apart. But more than that, I hope that I have provided assistance to them when and how it was needed, and that they know I value them.

Q. You recently held a fashion show for your Fashion Merchandising students. Please tell us about this event.

It’s a great way for students to showcase their best works! “Behind the Seams” was this year’s show title. Students got to be involved in all aspects of producing a show, from promotions and marketing to fitting models. The event was made possible by a partnership between the Delta State fashion promotion course and the Cleveland-Bolivar County Chamber of Commerce. The event also included a silent auction, door prizes, and music from Cleveland’s own musical group, Southern Halo. This year’s event was dedicated to Pat Kerr Tigrett, a well-known Memphis fashion designer, longtime Delta State supporter, and friend. The fashion show is always so much fun and a great way to support and promote the program. Q. When you are not teaching, what do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

When not teaching, I love to spend time with family. I also spend many hours working on whatever project I’ve started for the moment. There is always a list. Most of them involve apparel design and sewing, but I love to do anything creative. Q. What do you like most about Delta State?

The nature of small classes where students can engage with faculty is what I like about Delta State and what sets it apart from other institutions. Q. How would you encourage a prospective student to attend Delta State?

I would emphasize the family atmosphere and the smaller classes, stressing the ability for students to really engage with each other and with faculty. This is the true advantage of Delta State and it can provide them an excellent educational foundation.

Winter/Spring 2017 • Delta State Magazine • 41

CLASS NOTES NEWS / UPDATES 1957

Dr. Wayne Lee was recognized as the 2016 Outstanding Alumnus of the Year for Hinds Community College.

1963

Brenda Grubb is the recipient of the Distinguished Trojan Service Award given out by the Mississippi Delta Community College each Homecoming. Brenda and her husband Carl are members of the Delta State Golden Circle.

1964

Charlene Bagwell Graham was inducted into the Delta State University National Alumni Association Alumni Hall of Fame at Homecoming 2016.

1968

Joe Boyles was inducted into the 17th Sports Hall of Fame class of Northwest Mississippi Community College.

1971

Hudson W. “Chuck” Williams will serve as Senior Vice President, Special Projects, while Joseph Bradley “Brad” Branscome will assume the title of Community President. Frank Sibley, president and chief executive officer of CB&T Bancshare, has been elected as the Chairman of Mississippi Bankers Association.

1973

Ben Gaston has joined the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency as the deputy administrator. Dr. Wayne Blansett received the Henry Outlaw Retired Faculty/Staff Alumni Service Award at

Left: Tim Harvey ’80, Foundation Board President; Dr. William Bell ’82, President & CEO of Casey Family Programs; Keith Fulcher ’83, Executive Director of Delta State Alumni and Foundation.

Homecoming 2016. The award was established in 2014 as a way to recognize former DSU faculty or staff members who have had a significant influence in the life of the university and/or the National Alumni Association.

1974

Lloyd Lunceford has been chosen as the Director of the Collegiate Ministry Department of the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board in Jackson. He will be over all of the Baptist Student Unions on the college and university campuses in Mississippi.

1976

Jerry Moorman was honored during the 22nd Annual EVVY Award Banquet held at the Forney Museum of Transportation in Denver, CO. The EVVY Awards are presented by the Colorado Independent Publishers’ Association for outstanding books by independent authors throughout the world.

1977

Brenda Carson, Director of Financial Aid for East Central Community College in Decatur, recently received the Jack Woodward Award of Excellence from the Mississippi Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators at the organization’s annual conference held at the Pearl River Resort in Choctaw. She was also elected as director of the MASFAA executive board for a three-year term. John M. Alexander was elected Fellow of the Mississippi Bar Foundation in April. Glenna Callender was given the 2016 Living Legend Award of Charleston, Mississippi.

1983

Bob “Pic” Billingsley was inducted into the Delta State National Alumni Association Alumni Hall

Gary Bouse, DSU’s Chief Development Officer; Robin Robinson, former Mississippi IHL Trustee; Bob “Pic” Billingsley, 2016 Alumni Hall of Fame inductee; George Bassi, past President of DSU National Alumni Association.

of Fame at Homecoming ’16. Walter W. Bettinger was inducted into the Delta State University National Alumni Association Alumni Hall of Fame at Homecoming 2016.

1984

Robin Boyles has joined Delta Health Center in Mound Bayou as the Director of Program Planning and Development.

1987

Charlie M. Pleas, III, is the 2016 Delta State University Outstanding Alumnus of the Year and inductee into the Delta State University National Alumni Association Hall of Fame at Homecoming 2016!

1988

John McIntyre has been named President of SyscoCharlotte, effective July 2016. Mellany Evans has joined Planters Bank as Vice President of Retail Sales and Training.

Varner Selected for the Mississippi Tennis Hall of Fame Barbara Ann Wilson Varner began playing tennis at age 12 in Greenville. At age 17, she and her partner won the overall state Mixed Doubles. Then came Stephens College, Ole Miss, marriage, three sons, and about 10 years of being on and off the court. In the early 60s, Barbara was re-energized to play tennis when Jimmy and Sarah Petersen moved to Cleveland. Their interest and enthusiasm quickly spawned other players, with Barbara’s husband Rogers picking up a racket for the first time ever. Others joined in, such as Boo Ferris, Charlie Jacobs, Harold Tapley, Ancil Cox, Charles Dean, Hilda Povall, Allen Capps, and Barbara Levingston. Several leagues were organized, and she also spearheaded tournaments in Cleveland and nearby towns. Her two oldest sons, Rogers Jr. and Bryan, played for Cleveland High, won districts and participated in state championship tournaments. Going into the 70s, Barbara assisted with CHS teams, and was asked to be the first women’s coach ever at Delta State, by Athletic Director Brad Hovious. For no pay, on a shoestring budget, recruit a team, make a schedule, run practices, get transportation, check on

grades, counsel players, etc. She was a great role model for the team, and was very gracious. During the 1970s, Barbara also came into contact with a young undergraduate named Ronnie Mayers from Natchez, and she and her family played often with Ronnie who was just learning the game. Ronnie was a scholarship swimmer, later becoming the DSU Swim Coach a position he held until recently. Now DSU AD, Ronnie said Barbara’s work and interest in DSU athletics helped establish DSU as one of the top Division II women’s programs in the South. Perhaps the high-water mark of Barbara’s tennis career was when she teamed with Indianola native Carolyn Henry. The pair enjoyed quick success in local tournaments, often winning or making the finals. They soon entered tougher state-wide events, earning number 1 rankings in women’s 3.5s, 4.5s, and 5.5s. They set their goals, and travel, at a higher level, and soon collected Southern and National rankings. The culmination of a half century of playing, organizing, coaching and winning at tennis came last month when Barbara was selected to the Mississippi Tennis Hall of Fame. She will be inducted in a ceremony in Jackson this January.

Due to space limitations, listing priority in the “Class Notes” section of the Alumni & Foundation magazine will be given to dues-paying members of the Delta State University Alumni Association. To submit a Class Note, Baby Statesmen, Wedding Bells, In Memoriam, or Miles Away photo, send it to alumni@deltastate.edu or DSU Box 3104, Cleveland, MS 38733. The Association relies on numerous sources for “Class Notes” information and is unable to verify all notes with individual alumni.

42 • Delta State Magazine • Winter/Spring 2017

1990

Richey E. Woods has been named as the Athletic Trainer of the Year by the Mississippi Athletics Trainers Association.

1991

Richard Showse Myers, Jr. received the Hugh Ellis Walker Alumni Service Award at Homecoming 2016. The award is presented to recognize outstanding service and contributions to Delta State University by an alumnus. Susan Wiggington Collins was hired as the Elementary Music Specialist for St. Mary’s International School in Tokyo, Japan beginning in the 2016-2017 academic year.

1994

Dr. Ernest L. Brothers was elected president of the Conference of Southern Graduate Schools, composed of public and private institutions in the southern region of the U.S. that grant masters degrees and doctorates. Greg Goff has been appointed head coach for the University of Alabama baseball program.

1996

Kent Wilburn recognized by the Mississippi Burn Foundation Hearts for Heroes as “Fire Office of the Year” winner.

1998

Cedrick Gathings has been named as the Vice President of Student Affairs at Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia.

2000

Leigh Ann Purvis was named among Central Louisiana’s “20 Under 40” by the Town Talk and Young Professionals Group. Purvis is the creative development manager for RoyOMartin based in Alexandria, Louisiana.

2002

Daniel Purvis recently earned his Certified Commercial Investment Member designation. Dan is a project manager for Alexandria, Louisianabased Ratcliff Companies, which provides customized, turnkey property-development services.

2004

Jessica Epting recently accepted a position as an adult psychiatric registered nurse at Delta Medical Center in Memphis, TN. Daniel T. New was promoted to Chief Credit Officer of Guaranty Bank & Trust Company. Matthew Parker Lipscomb was recognized with the Kent Wyatt “Young Alumnus” Service Award and Homecoming 2016. The award is presented to recognize outstanding service and contributions to Delta State University by a young alumnus (36 years of age or younger). Melissa S. Love recently accepted the position as Assistant Director of Alumni Affairs for Delta State University Alumni Association.

championship to the group’s record at the Midwest Show Choir Nationals Competition held in Lebanon, MO in April. Captain Wes Williford, of the Cleveland Volunteer Fire Department, completed the Smoke Diver Course at the Mississippi State Fire Academy. Williford is the first from the CVFD to complete the course.

DSU Alumnus Walt Bettinger, President & CEO of Charles Schwab served as keynote speaker at the Executives’ Club of Chicago Signature Series.

2011

Jordan Thomas recently accepted the position as Communications Officer for the UM School of Law.

2012

Ty Austin was selected as the Mississippi Field Director for Americans for Prosperity. Suzette Matthews recently accepted the position as the development officer for the UM School of Law.

Keith Fulcher ’83, left, and Jeffrey Farris ’04, right, with Walt Bettinger (attended).

2014

Courtney Davis was recently hired as Axel’s lab technician at the Rosedale, MS facility.

2015

Meghan L. Johnson received the Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship, for her medical training at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine in Jackson. Andrew Van Velsor received the Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship, for his medical training at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine in Jackson.

Delta State Alumni Director Jeffrey Farris, ’04, left, with Tom Ricketts, Chairman and Owner of the Chicago Cubs.

Executive Director of Alumni and Foundation, Keith Fulcher, right, and Tom Ricketts.

2016

Anji Reddy Nalamalapu was inducted into the 2017 International Educators’ Hall of Fame, at a banquet held in Anaheim, Ca. He also received a letter of appreciation from a member of congress.

WEDDING BELLS

DSU Student and Quarterback Tyler Sullivan was recently recognized as a Walter V. Campbell Trophy Finalist by the National Football Foundation & College Football Hall of Fame, naming him elite – one of twelve football scholar-athletes in the nation.

Faith Tedford (’13) of Belzoni to Ty Austin (’12) on March 14, 2015 in Belzoni, MS Sydney Hodnett (’14) of Anguilla to Matt DeFillips (’14) of Marathon, FL in Anguilla, MS Ashley Neal (‘12) of Carrolton to John Cox (‘96) on April 30, 2016 in Cleveland, MS

BABY STATESMEN Kinsey Ray Hayes to M/M Gary Neal “Frog” Hayes, Jr. ’05 (Susan Leigh) on September 7, 2015 Gray DeWeese to M/M Dane DeWeese (MK Koerber ’14) on March 22, 2016 Ellis Michael Muzzi to M/M Tyler Muzzi ’15 (Bethany Harris ’15) on July 3, 2016

Above: At the post-awards celebration located at the Waldorf Astoria in NYC are (from left) Tyler Sullivan, DSU Football Quarterback; DSU Head Football Coach Todd Cooley; DSU President William N. LaForge; and Archie Manning.

Shelby Elizabeth Robinson, to M/M Morgan Robinson ’10 (Amanda Langston ’10) on May 12, 2016 Neva Ray Huerta, to M/M Justin Huerta ’07 (Tasha Belokon ’07) on September 13, 2016.

2008

Erik Taylor was hired as director of Elite Energy (Decatur, IL), one of the top competitive show choirs in the country. In his first year, Taylor added another grand

Below: President LaForge, Coach Cooley, Peyton Manning, and Tyler Sullivan.

Robinson

Huerta

Winter/Spring 2017 • Delta State Magazine • 43

IN MEMORIAM Margaret Ida Aguzzi (friend), of Cleveland, on December 2, 2016

Faye Garverick (attended), of Marion, OH, on May 11, 2016

Jerry E. Nolls ’74, of Tupelo, on September 30, 2016

Rose Mary Scott Ainsworth (friend), of Cleveland, on August 31, 2016

Helen L. Gass ’80, of Wichita Falls, TX, on August 12, 2016

Charles B. Owen ’51, of New Albany, on October 31, 2015

Jesse M. Amis, Sr. ’60, of Batesville, on April 29, 2016

Betty K. Gibson ’47, of Rosedale, on April 23, 2016

Randy R. Palmer (friend), of Madison, on October 2, 2016

Michael S. Anderson ’69, of Wheeler, on March 22, 2016

Joseph R. Gladden ’73, of Cleveland, on January 8, 2015

Jimmy D. Parker (staff), of Benton, AR, on January 4, 2016

Bruce R. Bailey ’83, of Fort Myers, FL on August 4, 2015

Bruce H. Gresham ’47, of Tupelo, on December 5, 2015

Allen Patterson ’84, of Fort Worth, TX, on Oct. 1, 2015

Gerald L. Bailey ’67, of Vicksburg, on October 5, 2016

Jerry I. Hall (staff), of Pace, on April 23, 2016

Callie E. Peden (attended), of Heber Springs, AR, on March 15, 2016

Vivian D. Bailey ’65, of Greenwood, on November 9, 2016

Howard T. Hames, Jr. ’86, of Grenada, on November 23, 2016

Brent K. Perreault ’78, of Biloxi, on April 17, 2016

Samuel A. Billingsley, Jr. ’55, of Picayune, on March 2, 2016

Linda S. Haney (friend), of Cleveland, on September 9, 2016

Ona H. Phillips ’79, of Rosedale, on May 13, 2016

Betty C. Blackwell (faculty), of Harrison, AR, on November 1, 2016

Richard E. Harper, Sr. (attended), of Jackson, on February 20, 2016

Marsh Pickett, Jr. ’95, of Tupelo, on September 7, 2015

Andrew T. Bobo, Sr. (friend), of Cleveland, on March 25, 2016

Kenneth M. Hawes ’61, of Clarksdale, on October 11, 2016

Jess A. Pinkston, Jr. (attended), of Greenwood, on July 23, 2016

Dorothy H. Bogue ’38, of Hollandale, on February 25, 2016

Tommy L. Hawkins ’65, of Greenwood, on March 10, 2016

Dr. Austin Poole (attended), of Oxford, on August 14, 2016

Eugene Borkowski ’87, of Cleveland, on April 9, 2016

Saralie R. Heard ’37, of Cleveland, on October 18, 2015

Angela Poole (attended), of Oxford, on August 14, 2016

Linda S. Brasel (attended), of Clarksdale, on February 11, 2016

John W. Henderson (attended), of Minter City, on June 14, 2016

Gene C. Pope (attended), of Clinton, on March 11, 2016

Katie M. Brewer (staff), of Union, on June 16, 2016

Dennis D. Hendrix (attended), of Cleveland, on September 20, 2015

May E. Ray ’50, of Amory, on October 21, 2015

Mary P. Brigman (faculty), from College Station, TX, on April 18, 2016

Robert W. Henson ’63, of Scottsdale, AZ, on August 14, 2015

Walterine P. Ray ’54, of Cleveland, on January 31, 2016

John T. Brinson ’73, of Cleveland, on September 8, 2016

Annie B. Hinton ’36, of Ridgeland, on August 30, 2016

Patricia J. Roberts (faculty), of Lake Village, AR, on December 7, 2015

Beth M. Brister ’40, of Winona, on May 29, 2016

Dorothy Y. Hoenick ’52, of Lyons, GA, on December 5, 2015

Jerry W. Robinson, Jr. (faculty), of Cleveland, on August 31, 2015

Dorothy R. Broadwater (staff), of Cleveland, on June 8, 2016

Julia A. Horne ’64, of Madison, on March 31, 2016

Madeline V. Robinson ’72, of Greenville, on April 9, 2016

Donald S. Brown ’91, of Cleveland, on December 29, 2015

Jean K. House (faculty), of Jackson, October 15, 2016

Aubrey D. Rozzell ’56, of Quitman, on October 14, 2015

Jo M. Brown (friend), of Pine Bluff, AR, on May 15, 2016

Charles L. Howell ’54, of Statesville, NC, on March 12, 2016

Mary P. Ruffin ’62, of Greenwood, on March 12, 2016

Walter A. Brown, Jr. (attended), of Summit, on May 19, 2016

Paty S. Huff ’73, of Holly Bluff, on July 21, 2016

Helen E. Sanders ’94, of Petal, on January 31, 2016

Clovis G. Butts ’69, of Dickson, TN, on January 14, 2016

Barney P. Huggins ’59, of Oxford, on December 5, 2015

Carl P. Savage ’56, of Martin, TN, on November 5, 2015

George R. Byars, Sr. ’55, of Memphis, TN, on December 15, 2015

Charles N. Hughes, Jr. (attended), of Morton, on January 1, 2016

James A. Scarborough (faculty), of Merigold, on November 27, 2015

Betty A. Caldwell ’50, of Charleston, on October 6, 2015

Willie A. Hughes (attended), of O’Reilly & Hattiesburg, on September 9, 2016

Minnie M. Schmitt ’57, of Alamo, TX, on November 14, 2015

Barry G. Campbell (faculty), of Cleveland, on April 28, 2016

Randy A. Hutchins (attended), of Natchez, on March 26, 2016

David D. Scott ‘87, of Cordova, TN, on October 28th, 2016

William G. Cannon, Jr. ’59, of Brandon, on October 26, 2016

Phillip R. Hynum ’65, of Vicksburg, on April 18, 2016

George J. Shackelford ’78, of Winona, on September 9, 2016

George Christian, Jr. (attended), of Greenville, on October 21, 2016

Norma J. Jackson ’50, of Greenwood, on August 29, 2015

Letty C. Shapley ’70, of Duluth, GA, on December 9, 2015

Derrick L. Clark ’15, of Greenwood, on January 6, 2016

Erma J. Johnson (attended), of Greenville, on May 23, 2016

Guy P. Sharpe, IV ’06, of Hattiesburg, on March 29, 2016

Minnie E. Clark (friend), of Ruleville, on October 7, 2016

Robert E. Johnson ’65, of Canton, on May 27, 2016

Joseph W. Shilnault ’90, of Byhalia, on February 22, 2016

Frank W. Crawford ’62, of Tupelo, on March 11, 2016

Charlie F. Joiner ’59, of Greenwood, on October 7, 2016

James F. Sibley ’68, of Inverness, on August 23, 2016

Samuel J. Crespino, Jr. ’75, of Greenville, on June 8, 2016

Clyde C. Jones ’54, of Booneville, on February 20, 2016

Ronnie J. Simmons ’68, of Magnolia, on August 11, 2016

Susie L. Crews ’43, of Baton Rouge, LA, on September 5, 2016

Richard B. Jones (attended), of Mobile, AL, on March 29, 2016

Christy M. Skinner ’09, of Drew, on April 8, 2016

Mary H. Crutchfield ’39, of Cleveland, on May 23, 2016

Sue T. King ’41, of Cleveland, on November 24, 2015

Ralph G. Smith ’67, of Greenwood, on May 29, 2016

Robert E. Coleman (friend), of Greenwood, on September 25, 2016

Mary V. Kirk ’78, of Cleveland, on February 11, 2016

Sallie B. Smith (attended), of Nashville, TN, on January 23, 2016

Kelly Y. Collins ’62, of Jackson, on September 20, 2016

Sylvester Kyles, Jr. ’83, of Shaw, on September 19, 2015

Elizabeth F. Smithhart ’59, of San Antonio, TX, on January 27, 2016

Princess A. Colyer (friend), of Ripley, on January 2, 2016

Jane R. Ladner (attended), of Waynesville, NC, on January 23, 2016

John Paul Soliz ’98, of Cleveland, on January 17, 2016

Anita C. Connelly (attended), of Hendersonville, TN, on February 4, 2016

Peggy J. Larkin ’62, of Waxahachie, TX, on September 27, 2015

Christine D. Stallings ’41, of Summerville, GA, on September 23, 2015

Robert S. Cooper ’74, of Bruce, on April 26, 2016

James A. Laws (attended), of Bossier City, LA, on October 15, 2015

Thomas M. Stanford ’66, of Brandon, MI, on December 11, 2015

Ancil L. Cox, Jr. (friend), of Cleveland, on May 19, 2016

George S. Lee, Jr. ’69, of Vicksburg, on September 20, 2016

Gene Strobel (faculty), of Bell Buckle, TN, on March 30, 2016

L. Stacy Davidson (friend), of Oxford, on December 6th, 2016

David D. Lessley, Jr. (attended), of Greenwood, on March 7, 2016

Lee Tartt ’00, of Grenada, on February 20, 2016

Joyce M. Davis (attended), of Watersmeet, MI, on December 18, 2015

Samuel H. Liddell, III (attended), of New Albany, on January 3, 2016

Justin G. Teasley ’11, of Crystal Springs, on February 12, 2016

Martha C. Dean ’48, of Cleveland, on September 21, 2016

Roy H. Lipe ’65, of Port Arthur, TX, on November 12, 2016

Patricia H. Thompson (attended), of Greenville, on November 21, 2015

Susan S. Dean ’64, of Greenville, on September 1, 2015

Robert M. Mallette (friend), of Benoit, on December 3rd, 2016

Juniper Y. Trice (friend), of Tupelo, on February 5, 2016

Neil Denley (attended), of Dayton, TX, on April 18, 2016

Farno C. Manning (friend), of Merigold, on October 19, 2015

Adam C. Tuck (attended), of Belzoni, on May 3, 2016

James H. Doyle ’76, of Greenville, on December 24, 2015

William “Bill” R. Marchant ’69, of Cleveland, on June 8, 2016

Emma Maxine Tullos ’59, of Memphis, TN, on March 25, 2016

Archie R. Dunn ’68, of Holcomb, on August 18, 2016

Margaret V. Maugh ’66, of Richton, on March 17, 2016

Louis L. Vandevender, Jr. ’71, of Glen Allan, on August 30, 2016

Leslie M. Elliott (attended), of Greenwood, on January 1, 2016

Glenn A. McCrory ’91, of Madison, on May 6, 2016

Mary C. Wadlington ’40, of Clarksdale, on July 31, 2015

Ada R. Ellis (staff), of Cleveland, on May 11, 2016

Robert C. McDaniel ’62, of Greenwood, on July 12, 2015

Mary Walker ’73, of Greenville, on October 12, 2015

Jimmy Ellis ’50, of Tupelo, on June 25, 2016

Johnnie R. McGee-Ford ’77, of Hammond, IN, on March 1, 2016

Dr. Ursin “Pete” Stuart Walker (faculty), of Cleveland, on April 6, 2016

Ruth W. Ellis (faculty), of Cleveland, on May 11, 2016

Walter Mcknight, Sr. (faculty), of Cleveland, on October 8, 2016

David K. Wallace ’98, of Yazoo City, on August 17, 2016

Sharon Ellis (faculty), of Little Rock, AR, on July 17, 2016

Auburn E. Medders (faculty), of Cleveland, on April 6, 2016

Jeanette F. Warren ’54, of Yazoo City, on December 3, 2015

Cantor Leah Elstein ’02, of Tacoma, WA, on February 14, 2016

Cathryn H. Meyer ’97, of New Bedford, MA, on February 24, 2016

William M. Weathers (attended), of Madison, on May 18, 2016

Terry E. Evans ’70, of Hazlehurst, on January 18, 2016

Kenneth Millican (friend), of Cleveland, on October 21, 2015

Ruth V. Whitt (attended), of Cleveland, on June 24, 2016

Lawrence T. Falgout ’93, of Mobile, AL, on March 22, 2016

Lucille W. Millsaps (faculty), of Ridgeland, on May 3, 2016

Billy W. Williams ’89, of McCarley, on February 6, 2016

Candace Farrior ’85, of Decatur, AL, on February 9, 2016

Joseph H. Mitchell ’64, of Benoit, on September 4, 2016

Homa A. Wilson, Jr. ’72, of Waynesboro, on March 22, 2016

David M. Ferriss, Sr. (friend), of Cleveland, on November 24, 2016

John J. Mohead ’88, of Clarksdale, on August 1, 2016

Joseph F. Wing, of Memphis, TN, on May 2, 2016

Wayne Fleming ’63, of Tupelo, on March 31, 2016

Calvin C. Moore, Jr. ’75, of Jackson, on December 24, 2015

Charles D. Work, Sr. (friend), of Cleveland, on January 28, 2016

Shirley J. Fontenot (attended), of Greenville, on March 25, 2016

Glen A. Moore ’70, of Biloxi, on September 11, 2016

C. Luke Worthy (attended), of Tupelo, on May 28, 2016

Michael S. Fortenberry ’88, of Rogers, AR, on January 5, 2016

William P. Moses ’79, of Ruleville, on September 1, 2015

Laura Y. Ybarra ’09, of Merigold, on June 28, 2016

Ray Fowler ’58, of Clinton, on February 11, 2016

John Moyer (attended), of Senatobia, on March 24, 2016

Marjorie S. Young ’41, of Conway, AR, on September 16, 2016

Georgia J. Fuqua (attended), of Cleveland, on April 19, 2016

Nora W. Mullen (attended), of Amory, on March 31, 2016

Michael P. Young ’95, of Marks, on December 29, 2015

Dianne H. Fyke ’75, of Searcy, AR, on December 3, 2015

Jerry J. Nance (friend), of Merigold, on September 20, 2016

Mary J. Zaydon ’73, of San Diego, CA, on July 7, 2016

Ruth E. Gardner ’36, of Arlington, TX, on December 29, 2015

Jimmy C. Nobile (friend), of Moorhead, on January 2, 2016

44 • Delta State Magazine • Winter/Spring 2017

*As of December 14th, 2016

IN MEMORIAM Ursin “Pete” Stuart Walker

David Kyle Wallace ’04

Ursin “Pete” Stuart Walker, age 87, of Cleveland, MS, passed away on Wednesday April 6, 2016. Pete was born on April 8, 1928, in Lumberton, MS, to Ursin and Anne (Stuart) Walker. He married the former, Margaret Manning in Cleveland in 1950. He graduated from Mississippi State University where 1967 he obtained his B.S. Degree, M. Ed Degree and also played football. After graduation, he played football for the U. S. Army for two years. He returned to Mississippi State later to be the first person to ever earn an Ed. D. degree from the University. While pursuing his Doctoral degree, Pete worked as the first athletic academic counselor for Mississippi State. Pete and his family lived in Cleveland beginning 1955. He taught high school classes and coached at Cleveland High School. He then began working at Delta State University where he served as a Professor of Education, Director of Counseling and Dean of Students. He was in the Lion’s Club for several years and served as both District Governor and President of the Mid-South Sight Foundation. He was a co-founder of the Delta Area Senior Golf Association where he formed many friendships while enjoying the game he so loved. He was named the 2009 Charity Ball King by the Cleveland Junior Auxiliary, and was a member of Habitat for Humanity. Pete was a faithful member of First Presbyterian Church of Cleveland, where he served as Sunday School teacher, Deacon and Elder. Pete was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Hazel Riley and May Colladay; and two brothers, Victor Walker and Lavelle Walker. He is survived by wife of 66 years, Margaret Manning Walker of Cleveland, MS; his daughter, Becky Knighton of Cleveland, MS; son, Earl (Glenda) Walker of Starkville, MS; and two grandchildren, Stuart (Jamie) Knighton of Madison, MS, and Ally Walker of Starkville, MS.

David Kyle Wallace died suddenly on August 17, 2016 at the age of 36. Kyle was born on May 9th, 1980 in Jackson, MS to Cynthia Moffett Wallace and the late Robert Bruce Wallace. Kyle grew up in Mendenhall, MS and was a 1998 graduate of Simpson County Academy where he excelled in academics and football. He signed with Mississippi State University in 1998 and played football for three years on the offensive line winning the 1999 Peach Bowl and the infamous 2000 Independence Bowl known as the legendary “Snow Bowl.” He transferred to Delta State University in 2001 where he was their starting offensive left tackle his junior and senior year; but most importantly to Kyle, he met the love of his life Jamie Hudson of Holly Bluff, MS. He graduated from DSU in 2004 with a bachelor of science degree in general studies and later completed a masters degree in teaching through Jackson State University. In 2004 he was hired by Yazoo City school district as the high school assistant football coach for the Yazoo City Indians and taught P.E. to the elementary students at Webster Elementary for 10 years. He then became the head football coach to the junior high and high school at Manchester Academy for two seasons. In January 2016 Coach Wallace became the offensive coordinator for the Yazoo County Panthers high school football team and taught P.E. at Bentonia-Gibbs Elementary. He also was enrolled in Belhaven University getting his masters degree in sports administration. Kyle was known for his strong Christian faith, being a devoted family man, and his humble and gentle spirit. He touched hundreds of students over the last 14 years; and he encouraged his players to believe in themselves, to never give up, and to always do the right thing in life and on the field. Moments before his death, he was in P.E. class teaching his elementary kids about the importance of friendship. Kyle was a loyal friend who enjoyed singing, hunting, Bible study, and spending time with his large family and friends. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Yazoo City, MS where he was a member of the choir. He was preceded in death by the late Robert Bruce Wallace of Mendenhall, MS. He is survived by his wife, Jamie Alyce Hudson; and their two children Myla, age 6, and Hamp, age 2 from Yazoo City , MS. He is also survived by his mother Cynthia Moffett Wallace of Franklin, TN; his brother Brock Wallace of Brandon, MS; and his sister Casey Wallace Burgdorf of Nashville, TN. He is survived by his grandmother Gertrude Price Wallace of Mendenhall, MS and his grandfather Ray Moffett of Laurel, MS.

William “Bill” Marchant William “Bill” Marchant, age 69, of Cleveland, MS passed away on Wednesday June 08, 2016 at his home. Bill and Cheryl moved to Cleveland in 1988 to coach baseball for Delta State University. His legendary coaching career at Delta State began in 1989 when he became the head coach of the historic Statesmen baseball program after Ferriss stepped down. He remained at Delta State University for 27 years coaching and instructing students. Coach Bill Marchant is well known for his competitive spirit, a trait that helped him overcome adversity later in life and led him to be a coaching legend for the Delta State baseball program. In 1998, Marchant was inducted into the Delta State Athletics Hall of Fame. After he retired from coaching, Marchant dedicated the rest of his career at Delta State to coaching life lessons in the classroom, where he taught classes such as methods of coaching baseball, methods of coaching football, and philosophy and psychology of coaching. In 2012, Bill and Cheryl Marchant were named Delta State College of Education’s Outstanding Alumni and the “Bill and Cheryl Thomas Marchant Scholarship” was established to help funding for education majors at the University.

Remember Delta State in Your Will or Living Trust

HOW TO INCLUDE DSU IN YOUR WILL OR LIVING TRUST If you would like to support Delta State students and programs after your lifetime, ask your estate planning attorney to add this suggested wording to your will or living trust: I hereby give, devise and bequeath to the Delta State University Foundation, a nonprofit corporation with principal offices in Cleveland, Mississippi, percent (%) of the rest, residue and remainder of my estate for the unrestricted benefit of Delta State University. Additional bequest language can be found at www.deltastategiving.org/giving/waystogive/plannedgiving. ► Call (662) 846-4709 to learn more about supporting DSu through your will or trust.

Winter/Spring 2017 • Delta State Magazine • 45

IN MEMORIAM

46 • Delta State Magazine • Winter/Spring 2017

“BOO” FERRISS 1921 - 2016 David Meadow “Boo” Ferriss, a baseball legend and one of Mississippi’s most beloved citizens, died November 24 at home. Ferriss was 94. Ferriss was born on Dec. 5, 1921, to Delta farmer William Douglas Ferriss and Lellie Meadow Ferriss of Shaw. Young David pretty much nicknamed himself. As a toddler he tried to get the attention of his older brother, Will D. He tried to say “brother” and it came out “Boo.” The name stuck. At Shaw High School, from where he graduated in 1939, Ferriss played and excelled in all sports, especially baseball. He attracted the interest — and contract offers — of several Major League teams but instead signed a baseball scholarship at Mississippi State. The legendary coach and athletic director Dudy Noble awarded Ferriss the first full baseball scholarship in school history. Ferriss became an All-Southeastern Conference pitcher and also played basketball two years. He was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity, president of his junior class and was active in student government affairs. After his junior year, he signed a contract with the Boston Red Sox and in June of 1942 he broke into professional baseball with the Greensboro, N.C. Team of the Class B Piedmont League. At age 20, he led Greensboro to the league championship. Ferriss’ baseball career was interrupted by World War II. He served in the Army Air Corps until severe asthma forced a medical discharge in February of 1945. Ferriss returned to baseball and the Red Sox organization, remarkably earning rapid promotion to the Major League team. In his first Major League game on April 29, 1945, he pitched a 2-0 shutout victory over the Philadelphia A’s. His second start was a 5-0 blanking of the New York Yankees at Fenway Park. He set a Major League record by winning his first eight games, all complete games and four shutouts. During those first eight starts, he defeated every other American League team. He received Rookie of the Year honors for his 21-10 record.

Ferriss was even better in 1946 with a 25-6 record, a 3.25 earned run average and 26 complete games, leading pitcher of the American League. He established several Major League records, including most consecutive victories in a home park (13). He tied Wes Ferrell’s Major League record of winning 46 games in his first two seasons. Ferriss made the 1946 American League All-Star team and then pitched a 4-0 shutout victory over the St. Louis Cardinals in the third game of the 1946 World Series at Fenway Park. He joined Babe Ruth and Bill Dinneen as the only pitchers in Red Sox history to throw a World Series shutout. Ferriss had one of the most promising pitching careers in baseball history ended by a freak shoulder injury in 1947. Even so, he finished his Major League career with a 65-30 record. After injury-plagued comeback attempts at the minor league level, Ferriss became the Red Sox pitching coach in 1955. The Major League travel schedule was not conducive to raising a family, so in late 1959 Ferriss accepted the position of athletic director and head baseball coach at Delta State. There, he built one of the most successful college baseball programs in the U.S., producing many championship teams as well as future baseball coaches. In all, he coached 26 years, achieving a record of 639 victories, 387 losses and eight ties. His teams won four Gulf South Conference championships and advanced to the Division II World Series three times, finishing second once and third twice. Ferriss produced several Major League players, 20 All-Americans and more than 60 future baseball coaches. He was most proud of the fact 92 percent of players who came through his program earned their college degrees. Ferriss is beloved among his former players for his care and attention to their families long after their playing days. In addition to coaching duties, Ferriss served 19 years as Executive Director of the Delta State University Foundation. Upon his coaching retirement, the Delta State baseball field was named Ferriss Field. It is the center-

piece of one of the nation’s most complete college baseball facilities, including a Boo Ferriss Museum, and an indoor workout facility. In 2015, a statue of Ferriss was dedicated in his honor at the ballpark. His honors include induction into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in 1964 and the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2002. In all, he is a member of seven sports halls of fame that include Mississippi State, Delta State, Gulf South Conference and the American Baseball Coaches Association. His Mississippi State jersey was retired in 2003, the same year the C Spire Ferriss Trophy was awarded for the first time. The Ferriss Trophy is awarded to the most outstanding college baseball player in Mississippi each season. In 2012, Ferriss was selected for the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame’s Rube Award for his lifetime contributions to Mississippi sports. During and after his coaching career Ferriss served at numerous baseball clinics around the state, the nation and the globe. The U.S. State Department sent Ferriss and former teammate Bobby Doerr to clinics in Germany, Hawaii, Okinawa, Japan and Korea. He and Doerr also conducted the first baseball clinic ever held in Guam. Ferriss remained active in civic, community and church affairs into his 90s. A charter member of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Cleveland, he served as an elder in the Presbyterian Church and has long been recognized as father and founder of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Mississippi. Ferriss was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Martha Anne Parker and her husband Henry Lee Parker, and his brother Will D. Ferriss and his wife Toni. He is survived by his much-beloved wife of 67 years, Miriam Izard Ferriss, son Dr. David Ferriss, Jr. (Pam) of Brentwood, Tenn., daughter Margaret White (John) of Madison, grandson David Ferriss III of Nashville, granddaughter Miriam Pittman (Chase) of Memphis; three great-granddaughters Mary Chase Pittman, Kathryn Pittman and Jane Pittman; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Make a gift in honor of “Boo” Ferriss at: www.deltastategiving.com/inmemoryofbooferriss To share your memory or story about Ferriss, visit www.deltastategiving.org/alumniassociation/shareyourstory.

PARTING SHOT

48 • Delta State Magazine • Winter/Spring 2017

Fighting Okra Cyclists participated in “Ride the Fault Line,” a trek across four states in seven days.

Winter/Spring 2017 • Delta State Magazine • 49

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