Delta State University President Dr. John M. Hilpert delivered his annual State of the University address during opening convocation held today in the Bologna Performing Arts Center on campus.
Hilpert opened his address by welcoming the faculty and staff to the 86th academic year and declaring 2011 the Year of the Student. He offered the academic reflections of 26th President of the United States Theodore Roosevelt’s collegiate experiences and his lifelong educational pursuits and commitment to learning as “an inspiring model for us to follow.”
“The opportunities of the Year of the Student will focus our attention on those who sit in Delta State classrooms, but this year can also send us far beyond the boundaries of the campus,” said Hilpert. “As Teddy Roosevelt demonstrated, lifelong learning means each of us will benefit from identifying as a student regardless of age, occupation, or other circumstances. During this year, we will underscore that point for the wider community of the Mississippi Delta. Furthermore, the university is regularly engaged with the elementary and secondary schools of the region, thereby opening opportunities to include in the Year of the Student programming for Pre-K to Grade 12 students. In other words, our new theme – the seventh in our series – is for everyone.”
Hilpert noted that, unlike the previous few years, the budget was not the lead story for the State of the University address. “Over the past three years we have dealt with budget cuts – state, federal, and institutional – in the range of $5 million,” he said. “No decisions made in the effort to keep our financial picture stable were easy, and there are many people throughout this organization to thank for careful analyses and thoughtful decisions. I am pleased to say that we ended Fiscal Year 2011 in balance.”
Addressing the budget, Hilpert was cautiously optimistic. “Despite early predictions for Fiscal Year 2012 that there could be reductions of 15 percent or more in state appropriations, the actual cut for Delta State was closer to one-and-a-half percent. For the first time in several years there are no warnings of mid-year reductions for this fiscal year, though caution is always wise. After enduring two years during which it was a real accomplishment to avoid compensation cutbacks, we were pleased to provide all employees a salary increase for this new year,” he said.
The president continued his address by going over an extensive list of the accomplishments of the previous year stating, “Without question, my favorite part of this annual address is a review of selected accomplishments by individuals and units of this organization. I always say, ‘thank you,’ and I always mean it sincerely. This is the chance we have to share satisfaction as a campus community resulting not only from personal accomplishments but also from the accomplishments of colleagues. It demonstrates your commitment to students and to making your area of the university community successful. Your dedication to excellence shows in the results you and our students achieve.”
Turning his attention to the new academic year, Hilpert addressed a number of upcoming challenges. “Beginning in September the Board will launch efforts related to raising the profile of higher education in Mississippi, strengthening the linkage of the universities to the state’s economic development, improving teacher education, and closing educational achievement gaps within the state. We will, of course, be involved in all these efforts,” he said.
Hilpert stressed the importance of student recruitment saying, “Student recruitment and retention must be on the minds of every member of the Delta State faculty and staff. As census figures demonstrated this past year, the population of the Mississippi Delta continues to erode. The economic woes of the state and nation interrupt students’ plans and send some in the direction of more affordable options. Certainly, the competition within our traditional markets has multiplied. We must invest the time and financial resources necessary to attract new students.”
A number of departmental goals were addressed including the Delta State Foundation’s goal of developing additional scholarships for students challenged by the growing cost of education and the Academic Council’s agenda to create a new Student Success Center where broad-ranging student navigator services will be available – academic support, advising, career planning assistance, and personal counseling. Hilpert also noted that the upcoming academic year offered the opportunity to highlight and further the goals of the Diversity Advisory Committee to create greater awareness and 321.0stronger commitment to a diverse workforce at all levels of the organization, enhancing multicultural sensitivity on the part of all, and more engagement for students in issues related to diversity.
Providing an update on facilities projects, Hilpert stated that the upgrades to Caylor-White/Walters Hall remain at the top of the list and the end is in sight within the next 18 to 24 months. Ward Hall, Statesmen Park, the H. L. Nowell Union, the Robert E. Smith School of Nursing, Cassity Hall, various residence halls and apartments, the campus drainage system, and the swimming facilities – all will receive attention during 2011/12. These projects will range from additional planning by architects or engineers to renovation or construction.
President Hilpert concluded his address by expressing his confidence in the faculty and staff stating, “I know you will work as hard as possible because you are dedicated to the success of this university and particularly to the success of our students. Your efforts and your results make it possible to say, ‘The state of this university is strong.’”
