Category

Foundation

Jun 27
0
2017 alumni group photo-3

Hundley named interim executive director of Alumni-Foundation

By | Alumni, Faculty/Staff, Foundation, President | No Comments

Delta State University recently welcomed Patrick D. Hundley as the interim executive director of the Delta State University Alumni-Foundation.

Hundley took over after former director Keith Fulcher transitioned to the new position of special assistant to the president for donor relations.

He joins Delta State from the REGISTRY for College and University Presidents, an organization that provides experienced higher educational professionals on an interim basis. University and Foundation officials will conduct a search later in the year for a permanent executive director.

“I could not be more pleased with the welcome that I have received here,” said Hundley. “The entire staff of the Foundation and Alumni division has been wonderful, with each person reaching out to do all in his or her power to assist me. I hope to provide the kind of leadership during my short tenure here that will position this excellent staff to be even more successful in the future.

“Furthermore, President LaForge is totally committed to see that Delta State University reaches a next level of greatness, and I am finding that working with him is a real honor and privilege. Delta State and its development and alumni programs are in great hands. The future is very bright.”

Hundley is a native of Jackson, Tennessee. He received a bachelor’s in English from Tennessee Wesleyan College, a master’s in English from Middle Tennessee State University, and an ABD in English from Oklahoma State University.

He has 35 years of experience in university advancement, including serving as assistant chancellor at University of Wisconsin Platteville, vice president at Minnesota State University Moorhead, and vice chancellor at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

“I am very pleased that Patrick Hundley has joined our alumni-foundation staff as a consultant, and I look forward to working with him during this transition period,” said President William N. LaForge. “He brings a wealth of skills and knowledge in the foundation, development, and alumni fields at several universities, including many very similar to Delta State in size and character.”

Short-term, Hundley’s primary focus is to raise more private funds for the betterment of the university. One goal, he said, was to raise the percentage of alumni who contribute from 7.8 percent to 15 percent.

“We must identify more potential donors among our alumni and friends, and we must get out and see these people, taking the message of Delta State’s importance in educating the best and the brightest for our region and our nation,” he said.

Additionally, as an interim director, Hundley said he hopes to have everything in place so that the next director can hit the ground running to raise funding for Delta State.

“Next year will be the first year when tuition income is greater than the funds provided by the state for the university,” said Hundley. “Therefore, private funds become more important as we keep this great University affordable for our students now and in the future. We especially need to raise more funds for scholarships and student projects. This will be one of the charges that I will give our staff as we move forward.”

Hundley has been married to his wife, Susan, for 42 years. They have three children and three grandchildren.

Follow all Delta State University news at www.deltastate.edu.

May 18
1
Keith Fulcher

Fulcher named Special Assistant to the President for Donor Relations

By | Alumni, Faculty/Staff, Foundation, President | No Comments

Delta State University President William N. LaForge and DSU Foundation President Tim Harvey recently announced that Keith Fulcher, executive director of Delta State University Alumni and Foundation, is moving into a new role as Special Assistant to the President for Donor Relations.

In the position, Fulcher will provide strategic leadership in support of the president for fundraising efforts around institutional initiatives of the highest value and priority to Delta State.

Reporting to LaForge and serving as a member of the Advancement Senior Leadership Team, Fulcher will develop and execute coordinated strategies aimed at maximizing the engagement and philanthropic support of the university’s top prospective donors.

Fulcher has served in the executive director role for Alumni-Foundation since 2003.

“I am extremely pleased to continue my 21 years of service to Delta State University in this new role,” Fulcher said. “Private support is key to the future of the University. It is my goal to identify, cultivate, and invite Alumni and friends to consider Delta State as one of their top charitable causes to support. Taking philanthropic giving to unprecedented levels will ensure that the quality of instruction that Delta State is known for is maintained and enhanced for future generations.”

The news comes on the heels of Delta State announcing upcoming plans for a major private fundraising campaign. The campaign will allow Delta State to continue its efforts to boost student success and enrichment, academic excellence, and cultural and social heritage.

“As Delta State approaches the major endeavor of a fundraising campaign, we’re making every effort to organize ourselves for success,” said LaForge. “I am pleased to announce that Keith Fulcher will become the full-time Special Assistant to the President for Donor Relations. This move will allow Keith to focus on cultivation of donors and prospects, and to engage in the advancement of our capital campaign interests over the next several years. I am thrilled he has agreed to take on this new role, and I look forward to working with him.”

Harvey is also thrilled with Fulcher’s new responsibilities.

“This campaign will be one of the most significant initiatives in the 92-year history of Delta State, and having Keith focus all his energy and vast experience working directly with President LaForge on the campaign is critical in creating the results that will be crucial to Delta State for years to come.”

Fulcher received his Bachelor of Science in Social Studies Education degree from Delta State in 1983 and a Master of Education in 1985, also from Delta State.

He will commence his new duties over the next few weeks during which time the management of the Alumni-Foundation office will transition to a visiting consultant, who will serve as Interim Executive Director through the end of the calendar year.  The consultant selected for the interim role is Patrick Hundley, and he joins Delta State from the REGISTRY for College and University Presidents, an organization that provides experienced higher educational professionals on a part-time basis.  Hundley will commence his duties next week.  University and Foundation officials will conduct a search later in the year for a permanent Executive Director.

To give to Delta State, visit deltastategiving.org.

Mar 24
1
Cummins

Karen L. Cummins Endowed Scholarship established

By | Academics, Foundation, President, Students | No Comments
Billy Cummins (second from right), signed endowment agreements for the Karen L. Cummins Endowed Scholarship Fund in memory of his wife Thursday with Delta State Chief Development Officer Gary Bouse (l to r), President William N. LaForge and Keith Fulcher, executive director of Alumni-Foundation.

 

Delta State University welcomed Billy Cummins to campus Thursday to sign endowment agreements for the Karen L. Cummins Endowed Scholarship Fund in memory of his wife, Karen L. Cummins, a 1979 graduate of Delta State University who was a trustee of the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning and an exemplary employee of Atmos Energy Corporation.

The Delta State University Foundation, which will manage the fund, has received over $50,000 in generous donations from family members, Atmos Energy Corporation, friends and colleagues.

The purpose of the fund is to establish a scholarship for a student attending Delta State University.

Delta State President William N. LaForge said he was extremely grateful to the Cummins family.

“Billy Cummins’s generous gift to the Delta State University Foundation is significant for two reasons. First, it honors a very special person — his wife, Karen — who was a Delta State alumna and served on the IHL Board of Trustees. Secondly, the gift supports a major foundation scholarship fund that Delta State has established, with Billy’s guidance, that will honor Karen’s memory in perpetuity, while providing funds for deserving students to attend Delta State far into the future,” LaForge said.

“I am very grateful to Billy Cummins, his and Karen’s companies — Atmos and Entergy — and all donors who have contributed to this fund in Karen’s memory,” he added. “It is so fitting that we pay tribute to Karen Cummins in this meaningful way.”

The current level of the endowment will provide approximately $2,000 annually to a qualified recipient.

Potential recipients will exemplify the following guidelines:
-Recipient shall be the child of a current employee of the Atmos Energy Corporation or Entergy Corporation. First consideration will be given to children of employees of Atmos Energy.
-Recipient shall possess a high school grade point average of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale).
-Recipient shall maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or higher while attending Delta State.
-Recipient must meet all university scholarship guidelines to maintain the scholarship while enrolled at Delta State.
-Recipient must be in good standing with the university, will uphold the guiding principles and embody the core values of Delta State University.

The fund is open to additional contributions, which will enhance the value of the scholarship’s endowment. Contributions can be made by check made payable to the Delta State University Foundation, Box 3141, Cleveland, MS, 38733, or online at www.deltastategiving.org.

For more information, contact Gary Bouse, Delta State Chief Development Officer, at gbouse@deltastate.edu or 662-846-4704.

Sep 02
0
President of the Delta State Leflore County Chapter Miller Arant '99 introducing a future Delta State alum to the crowd.

Leflore County Alumni Chapter host alumni gathering and new student sendoff party

By | Admissions, Alumni, Foundation | No Comments

The Delta State University National Alumni Association recently hosted an event at the Museum of the Mississippi Delta in Greenwood.

This year’s program featured Head Football Coach Todd Cooley; University Archivist, Emily Jones; Band Director, Dr. Erik Richards; and Jeffrey Farris, Director of Alumni Affairs. Other faculty and staff in attendance were Ann Giger, Executive Assistant to the President; Matt Jones, Senior Associate Athletic Director of Communications & Marketing; Dr. Karen Fosheim, Chair of the Department of Music; Dr. Josh Armstrong, Assistant Band Director; Diana McDowell, Admissions Recruiter; Rebekah Arant, Admissions Recruiter; Katherine Shoemaker, Admissions Recruiter; Keith Fulcher, Executive Director Alumni-Foundation; and Gary Bouse, Chief Development Officer

The program consisted of an updated from Cheryl Taylor Thornhill, Executive Director of the Museum, Delta State University Campus video, and updates from Delta State University.  President of the Leflore County Chapter Miller Arant also recognized all Delta State students in attendance and their families while encouraging alumni to make plans to visit campus this fall.greenwood-2

Over 50 alumni and friends attended the event as well as students who are now enrolled at Delta State University for the Fall Semester.

To view photos from the LeFlore County Alumni Chapter meeting, Click Here. (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dsualumni/albums/72157671333752131)

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 Pig Pickin’ (Sept. 24) and Homecoming (Oct. 15).

Aug 24
0
Join the Delta State University National Alumni Association for the 31st annual Pig Pickin’ on Sept. 23-24 at Statesmen Park.

31st annual Pig Pickin’ scheduled for Sept. 23-24

By | Alumni, Foundation | No Comments

The Delta State University National Alumni Association is gearing up for the 31st annual Pig Pickin’ scheduled for Sept. 23-24 at Statesmen Park.

Each year, Pig Pickin’ continues to grow in attendance, and supporters are invited to become an official sponsor of this university event.

“The National Alumni Association is pleased to announce the 31st annual Delta State University Pig Pickin’,” said Jeffrey Farris, director of Alumni Affairs. “The growth of Pig Pickin’ over the past 30 years is a testament to the support of the local businesses of Cleveland, Boyle, Bolivar County and the greater Mississippi Delta region. Pig Pickin’s deep rooted tradition is evident with the thousands of alumni who attend and the hundreds of volunteers involved.”

Sponsorship opportunities range from $150-$1,000+, and donations help support the event. The deadline to become a sponsor is Sept. 19.

This year, the Alumni Association is offering a business the opportunity to sponsor the Pig Pickin’ entertainment for $2,500, which includes Friday night’s headlining band, Saturday afternoon’s DMI bands and DJ at the park. Businesses interested in the opportunity are urged to contact the Alumni Office at 662-846-4660 or alumni@deltastate.edu.

The success of Pig Pickin’ 2016 is largely dependent on the financial and in-kind support of the community, Delta region, state and national business partners. Businesses can benefit by:1234502_10151716741849200_743250881_n

  • business exposure to over 8,000 attendees at Statesmen Park
  • business exposure to over 30,000 alumni and friends of Delta State University (local, state, national, international)
  • over 15,000 email addresses (all email blasts for the event)
  • social media outlets (sponsored Facebook posts/Twitter/LinkedIn/Instagram)
  • association with the premier cultural event in the Mississippi Delta
  • tax benefits of supporting a 501©3 organization
  • website exposure (www.deltastate.edu – www.gostatesmen.com – www.deltastategiving.org – www.dsupigpickin.com)

The 31st Annual Pig Pickin’ official Facebook event page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/events/1168155446577403/.

To become a sponsor, contact the Alumni Association at 662-846-4660 for a brochure, or visit the Delta State University Foundation website www.deltastategiving.org/alumniassociation/pigpickin to complete the sponsorship online.

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 Pig Pickin’ (Sept. 24) and Homecoming (Oct. 15).

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