Jan 30
1

Johnson awarded Outstanding Alumnus at South Central alumni meeting

By | Alumni | No Comments
(Left to right) Jeffrey Farris, director of Alumni Affairs, President William N. LaForge, and Molly Hoagland Johnson, South Central Mississippi Chapter Alumnus of the Year.

The Delta State University National Alumni Association held its annual South Central Mississippi Alumni Chapter Meeting Jan. 26 at Mitchell’s Steak & Seafood in Brookhaven.

The night of fun and fellowship featured Delta State President William N. LaForge, head baseball coach Mike Kinnison, Athletic Director Ronnie Mayers, and Director of the Delta Music Institute, Tricia Walter.

Alumni received a preview for baseball season, plans for renovations to Walter Sillers Coliseum, and the inter-workings of the Delta Music Institute.

LaForge provided campus updates related to construction and academic advancements.

“The ultimate goal for us is for students to walk across the stage and receive their diploma,” said LaForge.

Molly Hoagland Johnson ‘94 was recognized as the South Central Mississippi Chapter Alumnus of the Year.

Johnson received her bachelor’s from Delta State in 1994 and her MBA in 1995. She served as president of Kappa Delta Sorority and was a member of the Delta State tennis team from 1990-94. She was recognized for Gulf South Conference Sportsmanship in 1993 and 1994. Additionally, Johnson is a member of the DSU Hall of Fame.

Since her days as a Delta State student, Johnson has been committed to serving her community. She is employed at North Pike School District, where she has also served as an active PTO member and past president. She co-coaches the Fernwood Flippers Swim team and the Parklane Academy Swim Team.

Johnson’s community affiliations include: executive director for The United Givers of Southwest MS; member and former president of the Pike County Howdycrat Board; and former ambassador for the Pike County Chamber of Commerce. As a Life Member of the McComb Garden club, she has served as fundraiser chairman, publicity chairman and Azalea Court chairman.

She and her family attend Centenary United Methodist Church where she previously served as children’s coordinator for two years. For 14 years, she taught elementary students during church on Wednesday evenings. She has also chaired fundraising projects for youth to attend mission trips.

At home in McComb, Molly and her husband, Pender Johnson, have three boys.

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 Go Green Weekend (April 8), Pig Pickin’ (Oct. 7) and Homecoming (Nov. 11).

Jan 30
1

Chemical Society receives national recognition

By | Academics, College of Arts and Sciences, Faculty/Staff, Students | No Comments

The Delta State University American Chemical Society (DSU ACS) recently received a commendable award for its activities conducted during the 2015-16 academic year.

During the 2015-16 academic year, over 400 chapter activity reports were submitted, and The Society Committee on Education presented 46 outstanding, 93 commendable, and 145 honorable mention awards.

A full list of the award winners is available in the November/December 2016 issue of “inChemistry,” the student member magazine. The winning chapters will also be honored at the 253rd ACS National Meeting in San Francisco, California on April 2.

Professor Sharon Hamilton, faculty advisor of the chapter, was also recognized for her leadership.

“Few faculty members are willing to make the great commitment of time and energy that a successful chapter requires. Professor Hamilton’s efforts certainly represent the best in undergraduate science education and mentoring around the country,” said The American Chemical Society in a press release. “The ACS extends its warmest congratulations to the students and Professor Hamilton for setting such a fine example for other chapters and being exemplary chemistry ambassadors.”

Hamilton said she was thrilled to help the group progress.

Dr. Sharon Hamilton

Dr. Sharon Hamilton

“DSU ACS received an honorable mention award for 2014-2015, and it’s wonderful that we were able to improve the quality of our chapter and receive a commendable for 2015-2016,” said Hamilton. “I believe it shows that we have a great group of students in DSU ACS and that they truly enjoy sharing chemistry with their classmates as well as the Cleveland community. It’s great to get such recognition from the national American Chemical Society and to know that they value the work of all chemists regardless of the size of your academic or industrial employer.”

DSU Chapter officers for the 2016-17 academic year include: Kathryn Penton – president; Will Weeks – vice president; Ashley Griffin – treasurer; Daisy Camarillo – secretary; Scarlett Salter – fundraising chair; and Gunner Sizemore and Bonita Nuon – public relations co-chairs.

In the last three years, Delta State has won two commendable awards (2014 and 2016) and honorable mention (2015).

Jan 27
0

S.T.E.A.M. Spring Break Camp registration open

By | Bologna Performing Arts Center | No Comments

Online registration for the Bologna Performing Arts Center’s S.T.E.A.M. Spring Break Camp is now open.

Locally sponsored by a grant through Monsanto, S.T.E.A.M. will take place March 13-17, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The camp is open to 30 fourth-sixth grade students with interests in the arts and the hard sciences. Fees for camp are $100, and can be paid with a check, money order or credit card.

The BPAC will partner with the science, mathematics, art and physics departments to host this week-long, project-based day camp. Camp will conclude on March 17 with a field trip to the lab at Monsanto Farms in Scott, Mississippi.

Delta State professors will guide campers as they build rockets, create sculptures from recyclable materials, and visit the newly renovated Wiley planetarium.

Sign-ups for camp will be taken by a Google form, found at https://goo.gl/forms/W5zzvut8d3fY9ren1. Scholarship funding is available for campers, but the Arts Education Office must process a $25 non-refundable registration fee prior to scholarship announcements

Pick-up and drop-off will be at the West lobby entrance of the BPAC, where counselors will group campers together for the day and then escort them to classes around campus.

Contact Cade Holder, Arts Education coordinator, at 662-846-4844 for more registration or payment information, or visit http://bolognapac.com/education/other/ for more information about S.T.E.A.M.

Jan 26
0

GRAMMY Museum® Mississippi welcomes David Porter

By | GRAMMY | No Comments

Internationally renowned songwriter and producer David Porter will discuss his career and mentoring program Feb. 7 at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.

GRAMMY Museum Mississippi is pleased to welcome a Songwriters Hall of Fame-inducted songwriter, producer and entrepreneur with music sales in excess of 300 million units, David Porter, for two exciting programs in the Sanders Soundstage on Feb. 7. at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Porter will participate in an installment of the museum’s “A Conversation With” series for students, during which he will discuss his extensive career and offer advice and industry insight from his experience as a successful songwriter, producer and entrepreneur for the legendary Stax Records. Teachers can register students for the program by emailing education@grammymuseum.org. Admission for the program, which includes a tour of the Museum, is $5 per student.

Later that evening, Porter will return for an installment of the museum’s “An Evening With” series, during which he will discuss his successful career, share his experience as the first staff songwriter for Stax Records, and provide insight into his non-profit endeavors through The Consortium MMT. Tickets for the program are $10 for museum members and $15 for non-members. Tickets can be purchased online, by calling the museum box office at 662-441-0100, or in person at the museum at 800 W. Sunflower Rd. in Cleveland.

As a songwriter and producer for the iconic Stax Records, Porter is widely known for the songs he has written and co-written over the years, including hits such as “Soul Man,” “Hold On I’m Coming” and “I Thank You.” He also has a passion for helping to develop the next generation of talented songwriters, recording artists and record producers. 

He is the founder of The Consortium MMT, a national mentoring program based in Memphis, Tennessee. Through this program, Porter connects successful music professionals and entrepreneurs with experience in various disciplines of the entertainment industry with talented youth in an effort to offer invaluable insight and provide them with an opportunity to cultivate their artistry. 

 To RSVP for the above programs, or for more information about upcoming museum programs, contact: Vickie Jackson at vjackson@grammymuseumms.org.

Jan 25
0

DMI to host Delta Night in Jackson

By | College of Arts and Sciences, Delta Music Institute, Students | No Comments
Pictured in front row (from left to right): Kacee Russell – Jackson, TN; Carrie Lynn Stanford – Gautier, MS; Schaefer Llana – Batesville, MS; Middle row (l to r): Tyan Nash – Cleveland, MS; Lindsey Anna Pardue- Clinton, MS; Audrianna Johnson – Grenada, MS; Kelsey Collins – Caledonia, MS; Back row (l to r): Kailey Mathis – Madison, MS; Ryan Bridges – Batesville, MS; Clay Brown – Jackson, MS; Dalton Shipley – Batesville, MS; and Cody Upchurch – Grenada, MS.

The Delta Music Institute is set to host a night of live music provided by an assortment of solo acts and bands based out of the DMI entertainment industry studies program at Delta State University. The event will take place at Hal & Mal’s in Jackson on Jan. 28 with performances beginning at 5 p.m.

The DMI All Stars are the featured act, as they look to showcase their catalogue of Mississippi centric covers in preparation for their performance in Los Angeles on Mississippi Night during GRAMMY® Week. There will also be performances from three other DMI student bands and multiple solo performers. DeltaRoX brings some of the major chart toppers in the classic rock genre to life, while Ol’ Skool Revue revives the classic Motown sound with their R&B, funk and soul influences shining bright. The final performing DMI band, B4Y2K, covers the many feel-good tunes that the ‘90s produced.

There will also be a handful of solo performers playing ahead of the bands. From the southern-styled acoustic sound of Carrie Lynn Stanford, Brittany McGee and Chris James, to the more intimate singer-songwriter ballads of Kailey Mathis, Kelsey Buquet and Schaefer Llana, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

The solo performers begin playing at 5 p.m. in the dining room of Hal & Mal’s. The event is free, but a $5 donation is suggested to help support the travel costs of the student performers. The bands will begin playing at 7 p.m. in the Red Room, where a $5 cover charge is required to enter.

For more information regarding the event, contact Hal & Mal’s at 601-948-0888 or the Delta Music Institute at 662-846-4579.

The DMI is an independent center of study under the College of Arts and Sciences at Delta State University, offering a bachelor’s degree in entertainment industry studies. The focus of the DMI is to provide students with a broad and thorough education in the technological, creative and business areas of the music and entertainment industry. For information, visit http://dmi.deltastate.edu.

 

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