Delta State University will continue its tradition of recognizing greatness by conferring an honorary doctoral degree at spring commencement ceremonies May 5.
Delta State confers the honorary degree to individuals who have made significant and meritorious contributions to the university, higher education generally, or other areas of society. Achievements can include, but are not limited to, outstanding creative and scholarly work, distinguished leadership or service, significant accomplishments or exceptional philanthropic support.
Receiving the honor will be the legendary Delta-influenced soul and gospel singer, and civil rights activist, Mavis Staples.
Staples is a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Kennedy Center Honoree, and a National Heritage Fellowship Award recipient.
“We are honored to welcome Mavis Staples back to Delta State, and to present this musical legend who has ties to the Delta, with an honorary degree,” said Delta State University President William N. LaForge.
With her first recording at age 13 in 1954, the musical world has continued to learn from Staples. She has worked with and schooled countless musical legends. And each time she takes the stage, she performs with timeless talent. Beyond gospel and soul, her musical influence has had an impact on folk, pop, R&B, blues, rock and even hip-hop.
Mavis’s stardom began with the Delta-inflected gospel sound she helped create in the 1950s with her father, Pops, and her brother and sisters as The Staple Singers. The Staple Singers, inspired by Pops’ close friendship with Martin Luther King, Jr., became the spiritual and musical voices of the civil rights movement. Few musicians can rival Staple’s impact in American music history, along with her family’s impact on the civil rights era.
Mavis, who was born in Chicago, has ties to the Mississippi Delta thanks to Pops’ roots. Pops was born and raised near Dockery Farms in Sunflower County, learning to play his guitar at Charley Patton’s feet, picking up technique and musicianship from the older and popular bluesman.
These Delta Blues influences were passed down to Mavis and her siblings, shaping their musical careers forever.
Mavis would go on to top the radio charts during the Stax era with hits like “I’ll Take You There” and “Respect Yourself.” She served as muse to both Bob Dylan and Prince at the peak of their careers, and later formed collaborations with Van Morrison, Billy Preston, Zac Brown, Ry Cooder, Chuck D. and Willie Nelson.
Staples last performed at Delta State’s Bologna Performing Arts Center in 2016 alongside the Blind Boys of Alabama.
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