Walk into Bolivar County Administrator Will Hooker\u2019s office, and he and his staff will proudly profess their passion for the Statesmen and Fighting Okra.<\/p>\n
The office of three is composed completely of Delta State alumni \u2014 Hooker \u201894 and \u201804; administrative assistant Sharon Johnson Hurns \u201883; and executive assistant Deja Carter \u201808 and \u201812.<\/p>\n
Hooker, a chemistry undergrad major and a Master of Business Administration student while at Delta State, has held the county administrator title since 2008. He takes great pride in knowing his alma mater has prepared his entire office for a role in county government.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur office shows the result of the product Delta State yields,\u201d said Hooker. \u201cWe are walking proof of the product because of our direct correlation to the university. I don\u2019t think any of us would be where we are without Delta State.\u201d<\/p>\n
As county administrator, he is responsible for organizing all county affairs falling under the control of the Bolivar County Board of Supervisors. These duties include: budget planning, work projections, purchasing acquisition, cost control, personnel management goals and more.<\/p>\n
Johnson Hurns, a Cleveland native and business administration student at Delta State, said the institution is a common ground that has helped the staff mesh well as a team.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is a special connection because we all went there,\u201d said Johnson Hurns. \u201cEven though we attended at different times, it\u2019s something that keeps us bonded every day \u2014 something that\u2019s common for all of us.\u201d<\/p>\n
Carter, a former business and MBA student, said the university equipped her in numerous ways for her current role.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe classes I took provided the skills I use every day,\u201d said Carter. \u201cThe course work was very helpful in the advancement of my career. It\u2019s also unique because there are so many people working in the community that have ties to Delta State.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are people I work with or interact with throughout the county on a daily basis that went to Delta State. It\u2019s a great sense of community when I come across former classmates.\u201d<\/p>\n
And Hooker said the green and white pride found in his office is representative of the special relationship Bolivar County shares with the university.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are very lucky to have a quality school like Delta State in our county,\u201d said Hooker. \u201cI was educated in Bolivar County, reared and retained \u2014 because of Delta State.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have close ties with the new administration under the leadership of President LaForge. We have partnerships in the making and want to continue to utilize the resources at Delta State to better serve the citizens of Bolivar County. We have every intention in my office to support LaForge\u2019s initiatives. It\u2019s a two-way street.\u201d<\/p>\n
The office agreed sharing the Delta State bond, internally and with county citizens, is something that never grows old.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe appreciate having the university so close,\u201d said Carter. \u201cThey provide a lot of activities for the community to partake in, and it\u2019s great having them right at our back door.\u201d<\/p>\n