Those with ties to the former Hill Demonstration School at Delta State unveiled a historic marker on campus Saturday.The Delta State University Alumni Association, along with volunteers, recently hosted a reunion for former students and faculty of the Hill Demonstration School.
The primary school was in operation on Delta State University’s campus from 1926-1956, and served the purpose of educating future teachers while providing quality education for children in the surrounding area.
Over 125 former HDS students and faculty from 10 different states were in attendance. The reunion began Friday night with a social at the Hugh Ellis Walker Alumni-Foundation House. Memorabilia from the school was on display for guests to view and enjoy.
John Lewis, a ‘57 HDS graduate and a ‘67 graduate of Delta State University, was presented with a plaque for his hard work and dedication in planning the reunion. Other planning committee members included Mary Jane Hemphill Wiggins, Marion Fleming Jordan, Joe Smith and Emily Jones, university archivist.
Saturday, attendees were invited to a luncheon at the Alumni House, followed by a tour of campus. Delta State President William N. LaForge, Dr. Leslie Griffin, dean of the College of Education and Human Sciences, and Jeffrey Farris, director of Alumni Affairs, spoke to the group.
Other Delta State staff members in attendance were Keith Fulcher, executive director of Alumni & Foundation; Gary Bouse, chief development officer; Ann Giger, director of Donor Relations; and Deborah Cox, CFO of Alumni & Foundation. Cleveland-Bolivar County Chamber of Commerce president Michael Aguzzi helped lead the tour of campus.
Mary Ellen Leftwich from Gunnison, a former HDS student teacher and 1939 graduate of Delta State, was also recognized.
The earliest graduating class in attendance at the event was 1938.
Saturday afternoon, the Hill Demonstration School Historical Marker was unveiled in front of Delta State’s Roberts-LaForge Library.
For more information, contact the Alumni Association at (662) 846-4660 or visit www.deltastategiving.org/alumniassociation. To stay up to date on the Alumni Association’s activities, follow these social media sites: Facebook (Statesmen Graduates), Twitter (@DSU_Alumni), Tumblr (http://www.dsualumni.tumblr.com), LinkedIn (DSU alumni), Instagram (dsualumni) and You Tube (dsualumni1). Save the date for Homecoming 2014 (November 15) and Pig Pickin’ 2015 (September 19).
