The annual Bolivar County Alumni Crawfish Boil was held April 6, attracting a large group of current students, alumni and friends of Delta State University. Hosted by the Bolivar County Chapter of the Delta State National Alumni Association, the festivities included a silent auction, live entertainment by Southern Duality, a kids zone, crawfish races and more.
Crawfish King, Jerry Ainsworth, and Crawfish Queen, Dot Bright ’62.
Special to this year’s event was the crowning of the Crawfish King, Jerry Ainsworth, and Crawfish Queen, Dot Bright ’62. Presented by Jeffrey Farris, alumni director, and Melissa Love, assistant director.
“These outstanding alumni awards were given in the form of royalty — complete with a green cape, crawfish beads, and a crawfish crown for their long-time service, support and dedication to their alma mater,” said Love. “The king and queen also took home a custom engraved wooden plaque, courtesy of Merigold Cabinets & Carpentry.”
“The Crawfish King and Queen is a fun way for the Bolivar County alumni planning committee to recognize outstanding alumni in Bolivar County,” said Gary Crews, Bolivar County Alumni Chapter president. “Dot and Jerry both bleed green.”
Other highlights from the scholarship fundraiser were guest speakers President William N. LaForge, head football coach Todd Cooley, Miss DSU Hannah Leflore, and Southern Tradition Tailgating’s combat tailgate vehicle.
Proceeds from tickets, the silent auction and sponsorships benefit the Liza Vaughn Memorial Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarships to incoming Delta State students from Bolivar County. The scholarship was established in 2011 and was named for past assistant director of Alumni Affairs, Liza Vaughn, who lost her battle with cancer in April of 2012.
To donate to the scholarship, visit https://www.deltastategiving.org/alumniassociation/lizavaughnmemorialscholarshipfund.
The event was made possible through the support of volunteers and sponsors. The 2017 Bolivar County Alumni Crawfish Boil planning committee consisted of Shane Howell, Shannon Brown, Corley Mullins, Shauna Allen, Jimmy L. Avery, Gary Crews, Bennett Crow, Dillon Vickers, Rebekah Arant, Matthew Mullins, Tricia Killebrew, Dianne Schattner, the Delta State golf team, Phi Mu and the Student Alumni Association.
This year’s sponsors included: Okra Level – YoEddie BBQ, Needle Specialty Products Corporation, Boyle Lumber Company, Domino’s, and the American Legion “Bingo Baby” ; Green Level – Auto Mark, Nehi Bottling, Planters Bank, Denton’s Dairy, Mississippi Land Bank, The Image Specialist, College Heights Apartments, Security Services, Guaranty Bank, Lenny’s Subs, Cleveland State Bank, Delta Home Designs & Flooring Co., McNeer Mini Storage, Robinson Electric, and Cox & Moore, PLLC; White Level – Debbie Davis Real Estate, Byrd Service Station, Rogers Entomological Services Inc., Bolivar Commercial, Abraham’s, Griffith Real Estate And Rentals, Mississippi Grounds, Abe Draper Photography, Ely Weeks – Merigold Cabinets & Carpentry, Todd Walley Plumbing, Craig Verhage – Shelter Insurance, Tentwentyfour, Meador & Crump, A Polished Image, and Williams Supply & Rentals.
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 this year’s Pig Pickin’ (Oct. 7) and Homecoming (Nov. 11).
