During the Labor Day holiday, I thought I would check in to let every member of the MVSU faculty, staff and alumni know how much their commitment to collaboration, creativity, and innovation,  contributed to the achievements of the 2011-2012 academic school year. This 2011-2012 academic year was filled with noteworthy achievements highlighted in The University Report, with the theme Hope. Dream. Believe.  The report outlines how Valley continues to build on strengths of the past while moving toward a promising future.  It features the people, programs and progress of our unique and dynamic institution as well as provides you with our donor base for 2009-2012. 

The Valley Renaissance is depicted by the African Adinkra symbol, Sankofa, as a bird flying with its head facing backwards, while advancing forward without losing its way. 

Because of your steadfast efforts of imparting nuggets of wisdom and knowledge into our students and quality academic programs, MVSU continues to distinguish itself as a place where individual passions fuel a collective purpose.  

 The new academic school year has begun and I am confident that we will continue moving in the direction of a new dawn, a new day and a new spirit of unity.  As I reflect on this year’s State of the University Address’ message, the three C’s of life: Choices, Chances, and Changes,  I am humbled in knowing that all of us are shaping the lives of young people in the Delta, state, nation and world. 

Here’s a snapshots of some of the great accomplishments of 2011-2012:

• The completion of our decennial SACSCOC reaffirmation of accreditation process.
•  Recognition of the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) topic, “The Write Way to Success.
• The initial implementation year for our institution’s “Framing the Renaissance” 2012-2017 five-year strategic plan.
• The launch of three academic programs: MVSU Men’s College, the MVSU Mini Medical School (MP3 Program), and our first Renaissance Learning Program-Adult Accelerated Degree Program in Organizational Management.
• Created a collaborative partnership with the Mississippi Coalition of Partners in Prevention of under-age drinking through a 2009 U.S. Department of Education grant-supported campaign comprised of Mississippi State University, Mississippi University for Women, and the University of Mississippi.
•  Athletic teams played in a school-history five Southwestern Athletic Conference championship games. Three MVSU teams crowned champions of the SWAC in their respective sports (Men’s and Women’s Basketball and Softball).
• The Mississippi Valley State men’s basketball team held the nation’s second-longest winning streak of 17 games during the 2011-12 season on their way to a SWAC championship and an NCAA berth.
• The Mississippi Valley State softball team won its seventh SWAC championship in the last nine years and finished the season with an unbeaten conference record (16-0) for the second time in school history.
• A total of 89 Mississippi Valley State student-athletes earned academic honors by completing the full academic year in residence, maintaining a 3.0 cumulative GPA or above. The MVSU women’s soccer team ranked first amongst MVSU’s 18 sports with a team GPA of 3.52.  And last but certainly not least, for 2011-2012 MVSU finished 3^rd overall in the SWAC Commissioners Cup race which measures the athletic performance of athletic teams in the conference. 
• Improved University infrastructure: the completion of Phase I of the renovation of the eastside of the Rice-Totten Football Stadium; the Renovation of the University Library scheduled for completion this Spring (in March); and the complete renovation of the student laundry facility with brand new washers and dryers.

As I begin my campus walks, I am overjoyed to see the energy and sense of renewal you bring to the campus and the Delta. The beginning of the school year can be one of the most exciting experiences of your college life.  However, it can also be a time of many distractions; good and not so good.  As the president of this great University, an educator and mother, the best advice I can give you is to stay focused and involved in positive causes.  Search for ways to make a positive impact while on your journey here in the Delta. Edify your peers and encourage each other attend classes, tutorials, attend and participate in sports and auxiliaries and pledge to take full advantage of everything your university has to offer.  Remember to love and respect those family members and friends who have made you the person you are today and cling to their love, prayers, and support as you persevere toward achieving your goals while working steadily to become a successful university graduate.  You stand on the shoulders of all who love you, the past generations, and Valley alumni.

If you haven’t already, please take the opportunity to meet with the University’s Student Affairs and Student Activities staff to keep abreast of new and exciting student engagement opportunities and events you can become involved in during your upcoming academic year. I also encourage you to set up one-on-one meetings on a with your faculty advisor throughout the year for proper and informed academic advising.  Equally important, we encourage you to meet one-on-one with your faculty so that you may get to know them better and to give them the opportunity to know you better.

I would like to remind you that as I get to know you better, I will continue holding open office hours for students.  The date and time will be announced in early September.  Please watch for this announcement via our e-MVSU News. 

As always the University faculty, staff and alumni look forward to engaging with you, our students, at athletic events, fine arts performances, in the cafeteria, or just walking around campus.

Finally, whether we win or lose in competitive sports, fine arts or academic activities, remember you are striving to be a Valley Scholar and a winner who sets  his or her heights toward whatever you put your mind, heart and spirit to accomplish.

The MVSU community looks forward to playing an active role as partners in your continued development as we share in adding to the legacy of our great school!

This has been an exciting week!  As you can imagine, the first week of school can be quite hectic.  Registration continues, students getting settled, faculty and staff checking schedules, students navigating to classrooms, and the list goes on.  However, I must share one of my biggest highlights of the day.  Announcing Ashley Robinson as the University’s next athletic director was truly an honor. I do believe we have made the right choice.  As the auditorium filled with faculty, staff, students, alumni, family and friends, voices of cheer rang out with pride that one of our own had returned home to where his college journey began; ten years ago.  One thing I know about Mr. Ashley Robinson is that he loves his alma mater.  He is a ball of energy with the right spirit, passionate about young students, and is sincere about  Valley soaring to new heights.  He couldn’t ask for a better coaching staff that cares about our students, and a team of students ready to do what it takes to make our sports teams the best in the SWAC. 

As Mr. Robinson focuses on our Academic Progress Rate (APR), compliance, scholarships, community partners, and soliciting new donors, let us continue supporting all of our sports teams and letting students know that with hard work and determination, they can come out on top athletically and academically.  A new day has begun for Valley sports, so join me at the 1^st football game of the season, September 1.

We are about to embark upon the dawn of a new academic school year and I am excited about it! Welcome back to our new and returning Valley Scholars, to your home away from home at Mississippi Valley State University!  As you enter the doors and walk the halls of Valley State, a University with rich culture and history, be confident in knowing that the faculty and staff stand ready to greet you with open arms.   Our institution has a longstanding commitment and tradition of producing individuals who have made unique impressions and invaluable contributions to their communities throughout the state of Mississippi, the nation, and the world.  Today, we reaffirm that commitment to you as members of our Valley community and look forward to giving you the support needed to experience a very prosperous and successful academic year. 

While settling in, please take a moment and complete a customer service survey located outside the door of many staff offices to let us know how we are doing in providing high quality customer service to you.  We are also open to your suggestions for improving our teaching and learning environment.  Please work with your Student Government Association representatives as they are instrumental in getting your voices heard.  In an effort to learn and share with our Valley students, I will be holding open office hours for students again this semester. The date and time of that announcement will be made via MVSU News in early September. 

Again welcome to your home away from home at Mississippi Valley State University! 

See you Monday, August 20, for the first day of classes.

Having been joined by scores of many dedicated Valley alumni and supporters, we are cheering our Delta Devils and Devilettes on to the 2012 SWAC Tournament Championship! I am also very pleased to share the very latest good news concerning MVSU Athletics and the accomplishments of our superlative student-athletes.

On yesterday the Southwestern Athletic Conference SWAC released the members of its 2012 All-Conference Basketball Team which included a heavy presence of our very own MVSU players and coaches.

MVSU swept the 2012 SWAC Coach of the Year honors with Women’s Head Coach Nate Kilbert and Men’s Head Coach Sean Woods being honored by their peers and earning the prestigious distinction of being named the conference’s two best basketball coaches.

On the women’s side, forward Alia Frank, guard Ka’Neisha Smith and center Brittney Lakes were named 2012 second-team All-SWAC while forward Khristina Clemons was chosen as a member of the 2012 All-SWAC third-team.

During the regular season, Frank led the team in points (9.4) and was second in rebounding (5.3) while Smith put up nine points and pulled down 5.3 boards per game. Lakes ranked fifth on the team in scoring (8.0) and fourth in rebounding (4.0). Clemons, one of Valley’s key reserve contributors averaged 6.3 points and 3.0 rebounds per game.

Meanwhile, the 2012 Men’s All-SWAC first team includes two Delta Devils led by 2012 SWAC Player of the Year center Paul Crosby and forward Cor-J Cox. For the season, Crosby, a senior from Lansing, Mich., averaged 13.3 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. Cox, a senior from Washington, N.C. averaged 10.9 points and 6.5 rebounds and finished the regular season ranked third in the conference in overall field goal percentage (49.6 percent).

Senior shooting guard Terrence Joyner, who finished the regular season ranked fourth in the SWAC in scoring (13.7 ppg), was named second-team All-SWAC while senior point guard Kevin Burwell earned third-team All-SWAC honors. Burwell led the SWAC in assists at 4.6 per game. 

Congratulations to all of the outstanding student athletes who represented our university with great distinction as members of the 2012 Men’s and Women’s Basketball SWAC All-Conference Teams! A special congratulations to senior Paul Crosby for earning recognition as the 2012 SWAC Men’s Player of the Year.

Lastly, I must commend our magnificent Head Men’s and Women’s Basketball Coaches: Coach Sean Woods and Coach Nate Kilbert for earning 2012 SWAC Coach of the Year awards respectively. Indeed, you are truly “nulli secundus” – Second to None! Congratulations on a job very well done!

2012 Men’s All-SWAC Team

FIRST TEAM
Guard – Savalace Townsend (UAPB) and Quincy Roberts (GRAM)
Forward – Cor-J Cox (MVSU) and Quinton Doggett (SUBR)
Center – Paul Crosby (MVSU)

SECOND TEAM
Guard – Terrence Joyner (MVSU) and Omar Strong (TXSO)
Forward – Ivory White (ALST) and Fred Sturdivant (TXSO)
Center – Daniel Broughton (UAPB)

THIRD TEAM
Guard – Kevin Burwell (MVSU) and Tremaine Butler (ALST)
Forward – Derick Beltran (SUBR) and Mitchell Anderson (UAPB)
Center – Philip Crawford (ALST)

PLAYER OF THE YEAR – Paul Crosby (MVSU)
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF YEAR – Savalace Townsend (UAPB)
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR – Kelsey Howard (JKST)
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR – Quincy Roberts (GRAM)
COACH OF THE YEAR – Sean Woods (MVSU)2012 Women’s All-SWAC Team

FIRST TEAM
Guard – Whiquitta Tobar (AAMU) and Kiara Ruffin (ALCN)
Forward – Tiffany Kellum (JKST) and Latia Williams (PVAM)
Center – Quentori Alford (ALST)

SECOND TEAM
Guard – Ka’Neisha Smith (MVSU) and Kiara Etienne (PVAM)
Forward – Alia Frank (MVSU) and Chigozianyi Okumabua (UAPB)
Center – Brittney Lakes (MVSU)

THIRD TEAM
Guard – Kendra Coleman (SUBR) and Rachel Jones (JKST)
Forward – Laneisha Stephens (SUBR) and Khristina Clemons (MVSU)
Center – Jamie Floyd (SUBR)

PLAYER OF THE YEAR – Whiquitta Tobar (AAMU)
DEFENSIVE POY – Quentori Alford (ALST)
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR – Kendra Coleman (SUBR)
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR – Kiara Etienne (PVAM)
COACH OF THE YEAR – Nate Kilbert (MVSU)

The past two weeks have been historically memorable for MVSU Athletics as both of our outstanding men’s and women’s basketball teams clinched SWAC regular season championships!

Last week, our Delta Devils (18-11, 17-0) clinched the 2011-2012 SWAC Men’s Basketball Regular Season  Championship with a thrilling nationally televised (on ESPNU) last second win right here on our home floor against Texas Southern University. The Delta Devils followed up that performance by earning wins over both Grambling State and Jackson State respectively. On tomorrow night our Delta Devils will attempt to match a SWAC conference record and become the first team in over 30 years to complete a perfect conference regular season when they visit Arkansas-Pine Bluff and vie to finish the season with an undefeated 18-0 conference mark!

Equally as impressive, on this past Monday night our Delta Devilettes clinched at least a share of the 2011-2012 SWAC Women’s Basketball Regular Season Championship in a dramatic double overtime victory over our in-state rival Jackson State. The Delta Devilettes will also look to close out their season with a win at Arkansas Pine-Bluff. A Delta Devilette win over the Lady Lions will secure sole possession of the SWAC Regular Season Championship for our women’s basketball team.

As President, I am asking all friends and partners of MVSU to join in supporting both our Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams as they compete in the 2012 SWAC Basketball Tournament, beginning next week March 5-10 in Garland, TX.  

GO DELTA DEVILS AND DEVILETTES!!!     

Indeed, while our student athletes have been winning championships and are heading to the SWAC Tournament, http://www.mvsusports.com/ we have been busy at the State Capitol and in the community, advocating for increased support and funding for the Valley and spreading the spirit of One Goal, One Valley both far and wide.

I was able to speak to the House during our 3rd annual Green and White Day.

Our Third Annual Green and White Day at the State Capitol was a resounding success. Thanks to the leadership of Dr. A. Zachary Faison, Chief of Staff and Legislative Liaison, we spotlighted various academic programs in the capitol rotunda, greeted elected officials and other legislative staff, and highlighted and showcased our outstanding university students. I was given the opportunity to address the members of both legislative chambers from the Senate and House floors where I made them aware of our legislative priorities and concerns and asked for their continued support of our university.

The Executive Cabinet was also in attendance and I was joined by our local legislative delegation (Sen. David Jordan and Rep. Willie Perkins) as well as each of the MVSU alumni who serve as members of the Mississippi House of Representatives (Rep. Sara Thomas, Rep. Ferr Smith, Rep. Joe Gardener, Rep. Reecie Dickson and Rep. Bryant Clark).

In addition, I was also pleased to be joined by Mrs. Mary Crump, President of the Jackson-Hinds chapter of the MVSU National Alumni Association.

We closed the afternoon with a captivating performance from our student led T.H.I.S. a cappella group who gave a wonderful performance in the capitol rotunda. The lovely acoustics of the capitol rotunda proved to be an ideal setting for the display of our student’s outstanding vocal talents as several legislators and staff ventured from their offices to enjoy the melodious harmonies of our Valley students.

Dr. Lackey presents the keynote address during the Black History Convocation.

Black History Month at The Valley – We had two wonderful, thought-provoking events to remind us of the power and value of our history, and our incalculable contributions to our great nation, and to explore the national African-American History Month theme, “A Mission Still to Fulfill.” On Wednesday, February 22, we had a dynamic panel discussion on the very timely topic of African-American Leadership in the 21^st Century: Where are the Talented Tenth? We gathered some emerging thought leaders to explore this important topic in a way that engages our entire University community. As tomorrow’s leaders, our MVSU students are deeply invested in this exchange of ideas and expertise, and we welcomed their input and involvement.

Our esteemed panelists were Judge Carlos Palmer, Leflore County Justice Court Judge, Municipal Court Judge for Greenwood and Itta Bena, MS;  Dr. A. Zachary Faison, Chief of Staff and Legislative Liaison, MVSU; Portia Weeks, Annual Fund Officer, MVSU, who created and organized the event; and Billy Benson, Graduate Student, Department of Social Work. The discussion was very ably moderated by Dr. Marvin Haire, Director, Delta Research & Cultural Institute, MVSU.

Dr. Hilliard L. Lackey III, who has taught courses in cultural geography and world history at MVSU since 2009, delivered a deeply moving and relevant message at our Black History Convocation on Thursday, February 23. He reminded us of the rich, proud history of the Delta region, the significance of the “mule train,” and the vital role of history in navigating the challenges of the present and building a stronger future for all Americans.

Off-campus, this past Sunday I had the honor of sharing a Black History Month message with the wonderful congregants of Durant Missionary Baptist Church in Durant, MS, where Dr. Nathaniel Christian, an MVSU alumnus, is pastor. There were many Valley alumni and supporters in the crowd, and they expressed their commitment to and appreciation of their alma mater.

Dr. Barbara Washington, Associate Professor of English at MVSU, was recently honored as a leader in diversity by the Mississippi Board of Trustees of the State Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL), who commemorated Black History Monty by recognizing campus and community leaders for the impact they have made in advancing diversity and encouraging understanding and respect. http://www.ihl.state.ms.us/ihl/newsstory.asp?ID=918

Mr. Herman Sanders has been selected as the Head Basketball coach for the Mississippi/Alabama All Star High School Basketball Game this year on March 17, 2012 in Montgomery, Alabama. He will be coaching the 12 best high school basketball players from Mississippi versus the 12 best high school basketball players from Alabama.  This honor is considered one of the highest honors in a high school basketball coach’s career.  Mr. Sanders is a 1980 graduate of Mississippi Valley State University from Shaw, Mississippi.  While at Valley he ran track from 1976-80, was a four-time MVP and was inducted in to MVSU Sports Hall of Fame.  He is presently the Head Boys basketball coach at Wingfield High School in Jackson, MS.  

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

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

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

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

The summer has been steadily seeping away. I hope that our returning students and faculty have enjoyed a restful and productive summer and  I would like to extend a hearty welcome back to all of the members of our university community who are returning from their summer breaks. Indeed, we are preparing for a very exciting fall at Mississippi Valley State University!

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

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

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

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