The Delta State University Alumni Association recognized this year’s service award winners during the 2010 Alumni Awards and Gala Dinner held Oct. 15, in Walter Sillers Coliseum.
Michael Aguzzi, of Cleveland, received the Kent Wyatt “Young Alumnus” Service Award. The award is presented to an alumnus 36 years of age or younger who has given outstanding service to Delta State. He is a farmer with his family’s rice and soybean operation in Bolivar County. Aguzzi graduated in 1997 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in Computer Information Systems and Marketing. Notable achievements include serving on Delta State’s Green and White Fund Board, three terms on the National Alumni Board serving as Young Alumni representative and Northern Mississippi representative. Aguzzi serves on Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation’s Young Farmer and Rancher State Committee as well as the Bolivar County Farm Bureau Federation Board of Directors where he is the current president. The Kent Wyatt “Young Alumnus” Service Award is named for former university president, Dr. Kent Wyatt who served for 24 years as president.
Nancy Gerrard received the Hugh Ellis Walker Alumni Service Award. Gerrard finished Delta State Teacher’s College in 1950. She has served on the National Alumni Association Board of Directors. She represented the Golden Circle constituent group as the President of the Golden Circle from 2006-2008. Gerrard has been very active in the Veteran’s Atrium project in Jobe Hall for the past four years. She is married to Hal Gerrard ’51. They have four children and seven grandchildren. The award is named for Hugh Ellis Walker who served as the Director of the Delta State Alumni/Foundation for 24 years.
Dr. Rose Strahan, of Cleveland, is the 2010 Gladys Castle “Friend of Delta State” Service Award recipient. Strahan served as chair of the Mathematics Department for 1978 to 2009. She finished Hinds Junior College and Mississippi College with a degree in mathematics in 1963. Strahan taught mathematics at Gulfport High School and Murrah High School before completing her master’s degree from the University of Mississippi and doctorate from the University of Florida in 1980. She served as Delta State’s Faculty Athletic Representative to NCAA from 2003 until 2009. In 2009 Strahan made the largest planned gift of any employee of the University through a $750,000 life insurance policy. The Rose Strahan Endowed scholarships will one day result in approximately $30,000 in annual scholarship money for the Delta State Math Department. The Gladys Castle “Friend of Delta State” Service Award is name for Gladys Castle, a 46-year employee of Delta State who served as the first alumni secretary.
Ronnie Mayers, of Cleveland, is the recipient of the 2010 Legacy Award, which is presented to a Delta State alumnus who has made an insti¬tutional-changing impact for Delta State University. Mayers received both Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from Delta State. Known as one of the nation’s top collegiate swim coaches, Mayers spent 20 years as the head coach of the men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams at Delta State. He began his career as an instructor in the Department of Health, Physi¬cal Education, and Recreation in 1976. He also served as the head coach of the Delta Aquatics team from 1974-1989. He is a member of the Delta State Alumni Association, Cleveland Noon Lions Club, United States of America Swim¬ming Association, Mississippi Swimming, Inc., National Association of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation. Mayers was instrumental in seeking funding to build the Delta State aquatic center. He is married to the former Karen Scott of Natchez.
