Skip to main content

Campaign for Delta State reaches $40 million mark

By June 17, 2014Alumni, President
President William N. LaForge (left) recently announced the university has reached its $40 million fundraising goal for the Campaign for Delta State, a platform chaired by President Emeritus Kent Wyatt.

President William N. LaForge provided a major announcement earlier this month as Delta State family came together to celebrate the 80th birthday of President Emeritus Kent Wyatt.

“Today I have the pleasure to announce that thanks in large part to Kent Wyatt, along with Ned Mitchell and the leadership of the Delta State University Foundation — and the tremendous efforts of so many alumni and friends — we have just exceeded our $40 million campaign goal for the Campaign for Delta State,” said LaForge.

This major fundraising achievement was made possible by Wyatt’s leadership. Several years ago, the institution and the Delta State University Foundation organized the university-wide comprehensive fund raising effort chaired by Wyatt and Mitchell, his longtime friend.

The campaign will officially come to a close at the end of this month, and those wishing to make contributions are still able to do so before June 30. This marks the largest single fundraising effort in the university’s history.

According to Delta State University Foundation Chief Development Officer Gary Bouse, the campaign indicates strong support from the university family amidst a difficult time in American economic history.

“We initiated the feasibility study for the Campaign for Delta State during one of the most challenging economic climates of the past decade,” said Bouse. “We realized, however, that the faculty, staff and students deserved the support we could provide through a comprehensive fund raising effort. The significance of the Campaign for Delta State can be seen and felt throughout our campus, and we look forward to announcing our final total and celebrate at the end of the summer.”

The campaign has resulted in the creation and enhancement of scores of scholarship funds, strengthened academic programs, supported new initiatives to benefit faculty, staff and students, and propelled community and regional partnerships.

Bouse added that the campaign has benefitted every academic unit on campus and provided a wealth of both on-campus and out-of-class experiences for Delta State students.

“I am very pleased with the progress and soon-to-be announced conclusion of this fundraising campaign that will have a significant impact on Delta State,” said LaForge. “The transformational nature of this effort will touch untold numbers of students and programs on our campus.

“I am deeply grateful to all participating alumni, friends, businesses and foundations for the wonderful support they have demonstrated. These donors — and the dollars they have delivered — matter greatly to Delta State University.”

Delta State University Alumni and Foundation Executive Director Keith Fulcher said, “The fact that over 25,000 gifts have been made to the campaign in support of Delta State University speaks volumes to the loyalty of our Delta State family.”

The platform was originally scheduled to conclude in June of 2015, but members of the campaign’s steering committee were able to achieve the efforts ahead of schedule.

Those interested in making final campaign contributions are asked to contact the Foundation office at 662-846-4709 or foundation@deltastate.edu.