Jun 05
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Literacy Across the Curriculum Institute kicks off

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Delta State University’s College of Education and Human Sciences kicked off its 13th Literacy Across the Curriculum Institute (LACI) for teachers of grades 6-12 on June 1.

The institute, which runs June 1-28, is designed to enable teachers in middle and secondary schools to effectively incorporate the teaching of literacy skills in their respective content areas.

LACI’s curriculum is rigorous and broad in scope to enable both new and experienced teachers to attain highly qualified status according to the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.

Participants gain skills regarding the Mississippi Curriculum Frameworks, test blueprints provided by the Mississippi Department of Education, College and Career Ready Standards, national standards, and data driven instruction and performance based assessments.

“The institute provides teachers with a whole new toolbox of literacy strategies to help struggling and proficient readers become stronger students in all academic areas, not just literacy,” said Dr. Merideth Van Namen, institute director. “This helps students perform better on their state tests and ultimately, be more successful.”

LACI is provided through the support of the No Child Left Behind Act: Improving Teacher Quality State Grant.

Participants in this year’s programming represent various school districts from the Mississippi Delta who are eager to improve their classroom instruction and student performance. They will attend the 22-day institute, which includes 20 days in June and a spring and fall follow up session.

The administrative staff for 2017-18 includes Van Namen; Pam Maxwell, instructor; and Dr. Cheryl Cummins, instructor. For more information, contact Van Namen at mvannamen@deltastate.edu or 662-846-4412.

Jun 01
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Passport to Success preps students

By | Alumni, Career Services, Students | No Comments

The Delta State University National Alumni Association and Delta State Career Services recently partnered to “Passport To Success 2017.” The program successfully prepped Delta State students to enter their careers confidently, while maintaining a strong professional social media presence.

Students were given assistance with creating professional LinkedIn profiles, were offered headshots for their LinkedIn profiles and resumes, received résumé assistance, and learned about best practices for searching for jobs and internships. Additionally, students were given guidance on professional attire, were able to register for graduation regalia and complete the senior exit survey for the Department of Institutional Research.

“The National Alumni Association is in the business to develop partnerships,” said Jeffrey Farris, director of Alumni. “Through the leadership of our National Alumni Association Board of Directors, we have established Passport to Success and are excited to partner with Career Services at Delta State. We will look forward to the event year after year as we aid our students in developing professional LinkedIn profiles and getting guidance as they prepare to begin their careers.”

The inaugural event was open to all juniors, seniors and graduate students. Multiple stations and staff were on site to assist more than 40 students who took advantage of the programming.

“With the growing number of users on the professional social media platform LinkedIn, we are seeing more and more students gain exposure and leads to career opportunities,” said Davlon Miller, director of Career Services. “These days, a foot in the door may actually start online. It is important for these students to recognize this trend.”

As a special incentive, students who participated in each station were also entered in a drawing for special prizes. Student Johnna Ladd’s name was drawn as the winner of a Yeti Hopper cooler.

Following the event, students who met specific criteria on their LinkedIn pages were eligible for one of two $500 scholarships to Delta State. The scholarship winners were social work major Kayla Gary and outdoor recreation major Heather Wilson.

“This successful event enabled alumni staff to enhance their relationship with upperclassmen, developing life-long relationships with the future alumni,” said Sayward Fortner, National Delta State University Alumni president. “Students also gained the ability to engage with other alumni who have LinkedIn profiles.”

May 31
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Gallery hosts “Home and Away: On the Road with Marie Hull”

By | Academics, College of Arts and Sciences, Community | No Comments

To celebrate Mississippi’s bicentennial year, the Mississippi Museum of Art is curating “Art Across Mississippi: Twelve Exhibitions, Twelve Communities,” creating exhibitions from its collection for a dozen host venues across the state.

Delta State University is taking part by hosting “Home and Away: On the Road with Marie Hull,” a selection of work by famed Mississippi artist Marie Hull.

Hull had a special connection to Delta State’s art department and its former chair, Malcolm Norwood. She donated 75 works of art to the university, including a number of her own paintings and pieces from her personal collection, which became the foundation for the department’s permanent art collection.

“Home and Away: On the Road with Marie Hull” brings together a series of paintings created during Hull’s travels. The artist traveled widely throughout North America, as well as France, Spain and Morocco. She recorded her delightful impressions of the places she visited in her sketches, 67 of which she left to the MMA.

From this trove of private treasures, the museum has selected 30 sketches for the exhibition. The work provides a unique glimpse into the creative process of one of Mississippi’s greatest artists.

Representatives from the MMA will be present to answer questions about the artist, as well as the bicentennial program. The exhibition will remain on view until July 27. Summer gallery hours are Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information, visit http://www.deltastate.edu/college-of-arts-and-sciences/art/, or contact 662-846-4720. For updates and announcements of upcoming events, follow Delta State Art Department on Facebook or join the email list.

May 30
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Call for papers: International Conference on the Blues

By | Academics, Community, Delta Center, International Delta Blues Project, Students | No Comments

Delta State University is now accepting proposals for papers, presentations, lecture-performances, workshops, panels and clinics for the 4th annual International Conference on the Blues, to be held Oct. 1-3, 2017.

To celebrate the centennial of John Lee Hooker’s birth, the conference committee is soliciting manuscripts and presentations on Hooker’s music, life and influence. In addition, the conference is seeking presentations and papers on the legacy of ethnomusicologist Alan Lomax, and especially his fieldwork in Mississippi.

Topics of general interest to scholars and enthusiasts are also welcome, such as the African American musical tradition and its influence on world music; call and response as metaphor; black music and the American Civil Rights Movement; African American history in the Delta; African American folk life; and the genres of blues, jazz, gospel and soul music.

Topics of an interdisciplinary nature are also encouraged. Papers are invited from ethnomusicologists, musicologists, scholars, authors, performers, blues enthusiasts and independent researchers.

Additionally, to support young and emerging scholars (graduate students, recent masters, doctoral graduates and junior faculty), the Luther Brown Prize is awarded to the outstanding young scholar paper.

All presentations will be a maximum of 20 minutes in length, with an additional 10 minutes for discussion, and should address a general audience.

Proposals must be submitted online via www.deltastate.edu/blues. Applicants are ask to include a description of the presentation, audio/visual equipment needs and biographical information for all presenters. Please note that not all A/V requests will be granted. Presenters agree to appear at the conference at their own expense, which will include registration fees.

For more information, contact Shelley Collins and Don Allan Mitchell at blues@deltastate.edu or visit www.deltastate.edu/blues.

May 30
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Alumni and Admissions team up for social media campaign

By | Admissions, Alumni, Community, Faculty/Staff, Students | No Comments

A partnership between the Delta State University National Alumni Association and the Office of Admissions has created a fun initiative for incoming freshmen and transfer students.

The digital campaign created by the National Alumni Association, #deltastatebound, aims to promote awareness of the Delta State family culture to future Statesmen and alumni, as well as promote and engage a positive life-long alumni experience.

For those who have been admitted and have decided to continue their higher education at Delta State, the Alumni Association designed and provided yard sign gifts for the students as a celebratory ‘send off’ from their current residence. Using the hashtag #deltastatebound, students take to social media to share photos with the sign, letting the world know they’re coming to Delta State in the fall.

“The campaign is giving the new students a way to brand their commitment to Delta State. New students are having fun with the signs, which feature the Fighting Okra and Statesman mascots,” said Jeffrey Farris, director of Alumni Relations. “We are also excited to compliment Admissions’ goal of providing students with an atmosphere that fosters commitment and a sense of belonging.”

Melissa Love, assistant director of Alumni Relations, added, “The impact of the campaign through social media outlets has been fantastic. Since our campaign began, the hashtag has been used by admitted students and Delta State officials through Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. These posts have gained thousands of likes and have collectively been shared dozens of times, including being shared by Mississippi Today. Analytics of our own social media accounts report reach totals of several thousand. This doesn’t include measurements from individuals who have posted the hashtag.”

Although primarily a digital campaign, the yard signs are being seen in neighborhoods across the state, additionally promoting Delta State pride.

Students interested in enrolling at Delta State may apply online at www.deltastate.edu/apply, and campus visits may be scheduled at www.deltastate.edu/visit. Students who have submitted an application may check their status by logging in to their student account any time or by calling 662-846-4020.

For more information on the admissions process or admitted student events, contact the Office of Admissions at 662-846-4020 or email admissions@deltastate.edu.

For more information on the National Alumni Association, call 662-846-4660 or email alumni@deltastate.edu. To stay up to date on the Alumni Association’s activities, follow these social media sites: Facebook (Statesmen Graduates), Twitter (@DSU_Alumni), Tumblr (www.dsualumni.tumblr.com), LinkedIn (DSU alumni), Instagram (dsualumni) and You Tube (dsualumni1).

Save the dates: Pig Pickin’ (October 7) and Homecoming (November 11).

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