Celebrating the “Year of Service” Delta State University hosted the Ninth Annual Delta State Community Recognition Luncheon on Tuesday, Nov. 27, in the State Room of the H.L. Nowell Union on the campus. Honorees were recognized as Hometown Champions, Delta State Champions, Regional Champions, and Student’s Choice Awardees.
HOMETOWN CHAMPIONS
Breast Education and Early Detection Project (BEEP)
The BEEP program started in January 2007 through funding from the Central MS Steele Magnolia Affiliates of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. BEEP strives to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease through providing innovative, creative approaches in teaching breast cancer awareness and prevention to women within the Bolivar and Washington County communities who have limited access to preventive care. BEEP’s signature events include Paint the Stadium Pink, Miss Pink Diva Pageant, Saving Our Sisters, Breast Cancer Awareness Walk, BEEP Girl Power, Teen Domestic Violence Workshops and numerous events during October Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Through the program, more than 100 women have received free clinical breast examinations, mammograms and transportation stipends.
Hey Joe’s
Located in the historical downtown of Cleveland and established only a few years ago, Hey Joe’s is a favorite spot for DSU students, faculty and staff. This restaurant has a laid-back atmosphere and a service-minded approach. From hosting Delta State’s weekly Hey Coach at Hey Joe’s Show on Monday nights to planning special events such as alumni events, Statesmen football and World Series watch parties, Hey Joe’s is always willing to go above and beyond to support Delta State.
Partnership Properties
In 2009, Partnership Properties opened with a generous and giving spirit driving their business. They have strong ties to DSU with six team members who are DSU Alumni. In the world of buying and selling homes, Partnership Properties meets the needs of their clients while also recognizing that they are the first friendly face prospective homeowners may meet in town. Partnership Properties has raised more than $27,000 in two years for St. Jude Children’s Hospital through their annual Turkey Trot. They also sponsor an annual blood drive around Valentine’s Day, Delta State’s Pig Pickin’ and the Italian Festival. Partnership Properties supports local charities, including Sunny Seniors, Sav-A-Life, Junior Auxiliary, Boy Scouts of America, Helping Hands, the United Way, and the Delta State Alumni Association.
United Way of Cleveland/Bolivar County
The United Way of Cleveland/Bolivar County improves lives by mobilizing the caring power of the communities in Bolivar County to advance the common good and addresses the most critical local issues and mobilizes resources beyond the dollars that are pledged through fund-raising efforts. Generous contributions from the citizens of Bolivar County provide funding for agencies that make a difference in the quality of life in the local communities. The United Way of Cleveland/Bolivar County emphasizes the “fair share” approach to giving and donates funds to 12 agencies in Bolivar County.
DELTA STATE CHAMPIONS
Athletics
The Delta State University Department of Athletics works diligently to prepare student-athletes to be productive members of society by molding their development socially, emotionally, intellectually and physically. This commitment breeds success for the student-athlete, the Athletics department, and the Institution. Student-athletes volunteer their time to read at local elementary schools, raise money for Relay for Life and the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and assist with National Down Syndrome Society’s Buddy Walk. Through participation in the 2011-12 Champs Cup Competition, student-athletes volunteered a total of 1164 hours of service and donated 1251 non-perishable food items as well as 602 shoes to service organizations.
Facilities Management
Facilities Management is dedicated to maintaining a clean, safe and quality environment for students, faculty and staff at Delta State. While these goals provide benchmarks for gauging their success as a department on campus, it is the people who perform the tasks and the outcomes that are true services to the University community. While 90 trees were planted around campus last year to improve landscape enhancements, these trees also provide shade for college students and the community. Area children attending summer camps from now on will truly appreciate the work involved in planting and caring for these new trees. In keeping with Delta State’s Healthy Campus Community Initiative, the members of Facilities Management assisted in the finishing touches of the Fitness Trail. The behind the scenes efforts by the Facilities Management team to consistently improve the campus are greatly appreciated.
Healthy Campus/Community Initiative
Through a partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation of Mississippi, Delta State University’s Healthy Campus/Community Initiative provides a sustainable model for a Healthy Campus/School Culture. Through this program, Delta State’s College of Education is working to transform the campus culture to become the flagship health and wellness university in the state. Campus initiatives such as the Health Champions’ program provide opportunities for individuals and groups to take the lead in fitness activities. Special events, including Fitness Bingo, Poker Walks and Glow-In-The-Dark Zumba encourage health and fitness across campus in non-traditional ways. In addition, HCCI promotes involvement with the community by hosting Walk to Lunch Days, OKRA Camp and 5K Fun Runs/Walks.
Robert E. Smith School of Nursing
The Robert E. Smith School of Nursing prepares students for professional nursing practice in a multicultural society. In addition to teaching in the classroom, nursing faculty, staff and students volunteer their time throughout the region by assisting with health screenings at events, such as the Annual Rice Tasting Luncheon, Octoberfest, Crosstie Arts Festival, Delta Health & Wellness Day and the DSU Benefits Fair. The Student Nurses Association participates in numerous service projects during the year to promote health and wellness on campus and in the community.
Roberts-LaForge Library
The Roberts-LaForge Library is dedicated to meeting the diverse informational, educational and research needs of students, faculty, staff and the region. Over the past year, more than 150,000 patrons have visited the library. This high rate of use is notable when considering the growing number of electronic resources and services. Taking advantage of cooperative subscription agreements, the library is able to provide access to more than 4,500 full-text journals while also maintaining subscriptions to full-text database access to more than 24,000 electronic journals. To date, 1,840 print Pathfinders have been distributed within the DSU community to ensure that library users have the tools necessary to access library resources. At the request of the Student Government Association, the library extends its hours until midnight during Finals Week.
Dr. James Robinson
Dr. James Robinson lends his musical talents to almost every Delta State public event, playing the piano and entertaining guests at various functions. The Atrium in Jobe Hall is physical evidence of Dr. Robinson’s devotion to giving back to Delta State. Along with veterans and members of the Alumni Golden Circle, Dr. Robinson has transformed not only the fountain but almost all of Jobe Hall. Dr. Robinson also used this transforming opportunity to recognize the contributions of others he has witnessed over his years of service at Delta State, naming specific installations and pieces of artwork in honor of retired and current employees. Ever looking for the chance to thank someone else for their service above and beyond, Dr. Robinson has also been a champion of recognizing the contributions of Delta State staff through the Staff Council Incentives & Recognition Committee. Through his generosity, the Employees of the Month are surprised at the beginning of each month with special treats. A special luncheon is held every January for all of the Employees of the Month and their supervisors to say thank you once again. Since graduating from Delta State in 1968, Dr. Robinson has been giving back to the university.
REGIONAL CHAMPIONS
AmeriCorps VISTA
AmeriCorps*VISTA is a national service program dedicated to eliminating poverty by helping individuals and low-income neighborhoods make positive changes for themselves. The mission of the MDSC/AmeriCorps*VISTA program is to Empower Individuals and Organizations with Skills and Knowledge Needed to Implement and Sustain Programs in Their Communities. VISTA is funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service with funding appropriations through the OMB and the National Department of Health and Human Services. “Stuff a Bus” is the most recent service project that AmeriCorps VISTA collaborated with campus partners to collect more than 3,000 non-perishable food items to donate to needy families.
Atmos Energy
Established in 1906, providing safe, reliable natural gas is Atmos Energy’s job, but they view energizing communities and being a caring neighbor as their responsibility. Their employees live in the communities they serve, volunteer their time and support charities. Being sensitive to those in need is a big part of being a responsible member of the community. Their employees volunteer thousands of hours each year at many charitable organizations, providing their time and leadership to many excellent programs.
Planters Bank
Planters Bank opened its doors in 1920 in Ruleville. Headquartered in Indianola, Planters Bank now has 14 full service branches throughout the Mississippi Delta region. Planters Bank employees are actively involved in communities throughout the Delta and volunteer countless hours. From serving on non-profit organization boards, to collecting items for families in need, to being politically active, employees do their part to make a positive difference in the lives of their fellow citizens.
STUDENT’S CHOICE AWARDS
Clint Wood, Faculty
Clint Wood is the Chair of the Division of Accountancy, Computer Information Systems, and Finance. Wood is a dedicated faculty member who goes above and beyond to serve students in a myriad of ways, including providing assistance and volunteering with SGA Student Court and Student Senate. He serves as Faculty Advisor for Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, a hard-working group of young men who have recently received their charter. Wood was born in Cleveland and still resides here today with his wife Laura, and their three children, Alicen Carol, Wilks, and Anna Laura.
Linda Ross, Staff
Linda Ross is the Director Emeritus of the H.L. Nowell Student Union and is currently employed part-time as the Coordinator of Student Activities. Her dedication to Delta State is evident through her countless hours of service to Delta State students through her involvement with Student Government Association and the Pageant Board. For the past 10 years, Ross has served as advisor to the SGA helping to direct and guide student leaders into making educated and influential decisions for the Delta State campus. Ross has also directed the Union Program Council and the Student Director of the Union for 27 years. She helps bring innovative and new age events and entertainment to the campus. Through the Pageant Board, Ross spends her summers volunteering with Delta State University contestants in the Miss Mississippi Pageant.
The Madison Center, Department
The Madison Center serves the population of Delta State students on campus in a variety of ways. The Madison Center educates students about current political events and how they shape the community and nation. The Center also serves students through continuous education of the Constitution and how it evolves with the current state of government. By encouraging participation in elections, The Madison Center has coordinated the DSU Votes program and hosted numerous forums, speakers, and voter registration drives. All of these services are free to students and help to broaden the perspectives of students during elections.
Lenny’s Sub Shop, Community Group/Initiative
Lenny’s Sub shop is a local sandwich eatery with a big heart for Delta State. Lenny’s provides services to campus organizations and donates profits to organizations that encourage members to eat at Lenny’s. Continually, Lenny’s Sub shop supports Delta State athletics and campus events. From serving meals after games to highlighting Delta State events on the restaurant’s walls, Lenny’s and their owner, Jay Burchfield, support and serve Delta State University day in and day out.
“I want to thank those in attendance and everyone who assisted in organizing this year’s event,” said Christy Riddle, executive director of Delta State’s Student Success Center and co-chair of the Year of Service Committee. “It is an honor to recognize individuals and organizations that work closely with, and contribute so much to Delta State University.”
