President LaForge welcomes the audience to this edition of fireside chat.

The university-community partnerships and positive “town-gown” relations with nearby communities are a valuable part of Delta State’s mission as a regional university.

“Since becoming President of Delta State University, I have made it a priority to reach out to our surrounding communities and engage local leaders in activities taking place at Delta State.”

Toward this end, Delta State hosted its first Mayors’ Summit last summer. Mayors from the counties of Bolivar, Coahoma, Leflore, Sunflower, and Washington, which are home to 38 of our Delta towns, joined LaForge and other university leaders to discuss new and meaningful ways that Delta State could work to support their communities as the Mayors and their constituents continue to support Delta State.

“I was encouraged by the dialogue that took place and the desire of our Delta area mayors to work together for the betterment of our region. To continue these partnerships, mayors from the surrounding areas will join me on campus in a couple of weeks for the second Mayors’ Summit.”

For this year’s meeting, the focus of discussion will be on plans and topics for Delta State’s third annual Race Relations Conference, which will take place in Spring 2016.  Delta State is committed to leading conversations about race relations and helping to build stronger communities.

“To achieve this, we want to gather the ideas and input from our local leaders on suggested topics where we should focus our efforts to assist the communities we serve with this important dialogue.  Dialogue between our municipal and university leaders is just one-step towards a more prosperous and healthy Mississippi Delta.”

Delta State University strives to be an active participant in the development of the region, a model of good corporate citizenship with regional businesses and organizations, and the leader in the development of the educational community within the region by creating programs specific to individuals and surrounding communities. Delta State proudly boasts more than 450 campus partnerships with regional organizations, and it’s these partnerships—and the ones celebrated with local leaders—that allow Statesmen students to experience the value of a good education.

“As fall semester nears, be sure to keep in touch with events and activities taking place on campus by visiting our website www.deltatstate.edu.”

“Thank you for joining me today. I will see you next time for another edition of fireside chat.”