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The Delta State University Alumni Association held the annual Bolivar County Alumni Meeting Friday, April 5 at the Hugh Ellis Walker Alumni-Foundation House. Crawfish and jambalaya were served as well as hot dogs for the children. Entertainment was provided by Southern Halo, Ol’ Skool Revue, and Delta RoX. The Delta State University Delta All-Star Cheerleaders performed for the crowd as well. There was also a silent auction, which raised money for the Bolivar County Alumni Scholarship Fund.
The Bolivar County Committee chose to name the scholarship after former Assistant Alumni Director Liza Vaughn (’95) who passed away last April. Her oldest son William was one of the first recipients of the scholarship in 2011, along with Brianna Bosworth Davey and Diamond Bell. He was presented with a plaque commemorating the award. Vaughn’s husband Eddie (’94) and younger son Tyler were also recognized.
“The turn-out for Friday’s event was overwhelming,” said Bolivar County Chapter President Ann Marie Pate. “We really enjoyed getting together with so many local Delta State alumni. We raised over $2500 during the silent auction for the Liza Vaughn Bolivar County Alumni Scholarship. We have already started planning for the 2014 event, and we hope to make it even better!”
This year’s event also featured former New Orleans Saints Wide Receiver Joe Horn. Horn has teamed up with longtime Delta State University Alumni supporter Polk’s Meats to create his own barbecue sauce, jambalaya mix, and sausage. Horn helped service jambalaya and signed autographs. Polk’s also announced that a portion of Horn’s sales will go directly to Delta State University Foundation Scholarship Initiative and will be used for the Bolivar County Scholarship.
Friday night’s event set the tone for Spring Sports Weekend. Saturday, the Statesmen baseball team took on Shorter College in a doubleheader winning both games. Alumni volunteers with the Left Field Lounge and Sanders Seed prepared Polk’s sausage for everyone in attendance. The Statesmen went on to sweep Shorter on Sunday. The Lady Statesmen Softball team hosted senior and recognized the seniors at University Field.
“With over 800 people in attendance, over 50 items in the silent auction, and over 50 event sponsors, the support for this year’s event was incredible,” said Jeffrey Farris, director of alumni affairs. “I’d like to thank everyone who was involved in making this event one of the best we’ve ever had.”
National Alumni Association Corporate Sponsors are Bolivar Medical Center – Statesmen Level; Casey Family Programs – Statesmen Level; Cleveland Medical Clinic and Wright Surgical Services – Statesmen Level; Walmart – Statesmen Level; Polk’s Meats – Statesmen Level; Patrick Davis State Farm – Okra Level; and Air Evac Lifeteam – Okra Level. Chapter Event Corporate Sponsors are: Needle Specialists; Auto Mark; Nehi Bottling; Sanders Seed; Cleveland Apartments, LLC; Aguzzi Farms; Aramark (Okra Level); Denton’s Dairy; Meador & Crump, P.A; Lenny’s; Griffith Real Estate; Vowell’s Marketplace; Right at Home; Pediatric Dental Specialists; The Bolivar Commercial (Green Level); Walgreens; New York Life; Allan’s Family Shoes; Guaranty Bank; Delta Magazine; Peter’s Pottery; Heidi’s; Cleveland State Bank; Steve and Debbie Davis; Rogers Entomological Services; Merchants and Farmers Bank; Abraham’s; Tallahatchie County Correctional Facility; Baxter; Planters Bank; Back Yard Burger; Dr. and Mrs. Michael Patterson; Security Services; Backdraft; Mid South Water; Robinson Electric; Civil Solutions Services; Dr. Myrtis Tabb; Williams Equipment and Supply; Bolivar Tire and Alignment; South Street Pharmacy; Joe Reed, and Kevin Cox (White Level).
For more information, or if you’d like to volunteer, contact the Alumni Association at 662-846-4660 or visit the website www.deltastate.edu/alumni. Also, follow the Alumni Association on Twitter: @DSU_Alumni; Tumblr: www.dsualumni.tumblr.com; LinkedIn: DSU alumni; You Tube: dsualumni1; and Facebook: Statesmen Graduates; and join the event on Facebook.
