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Mississippi Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann visits Delta State University

Pictured, from left, Delta State’s Interim President Dr. E.E. Caston met with Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann Monday on campus to discuss state funding and legislative support.

CLEVELAND, Miss.—A recent visit by Mississippi Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann to the Mississippi Delta included a stop at Delta State University.

Hosemann met with Delta State’s Interim President Dr. E.E. Caston Monday morning for a discussion in preparation for next year’s budget.

“We are preparing next year’s budget and our first meeting is in about three weeks,” said Hosemann. “I try to speak with all the university presidents, and I meet with the IHL Board soon. The discussion will be centered on funding and all the things that go with that.”

Caston welcomed Hosemann to his office, located in the Kent Wyatt Administration Building, for the meeting.

Born in Vicksburg with roots in Sumner, Hosemann has been a vocal champion for the Mississippi Delta. He believes that Delta State serves a critical role in the vitality of the region.

“Delta State is an anchor and a bedrock for the Cleveland community and for the Delta,” he said. “We need our young people to have access to an education close to home, and then hopefully after they come here, we have a really good chance of keeping them in Mississippi.”

One exception would be pilots, said Hosemann, noting the legislature’s recent support of Delta State’s Aviation Program—the only bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in the state.

“We were pleased this year to help a lot with the pilot program,” said Hosemann. “We also expanded the airport this year and were able to purchase new planes.”

During the 2022 regular session, funds provided for capital purposes to the Mississippi Institution of Higher Learning by the Mississippi Legislature included $2.4 million to Delta State in educational enhancement funds used to purchase the new aircrafts. An additional $599,527 was also provided in capital expense funds.

“We’re grateful for the continued support of our Mississippi Legislature and for the additional funding they provided recently to support the university and its initiatives,” said Caston. “We appreciate Lt. Gov. Hosemann for taking time out of his schedule to ensure the needs of Delta State are heard.”