Delta State University, under the leadership of President William N. LaForge, continues to provide progressive opportunities for both campus and community. Most recently, the institution completed \u201cWinning the Race: A Conference on Diversity and Community.\u201d<\/p>\n
The two-day program on March 18-19 featured a number of prominent speakers, including former Mississippi Governor William Winter, Congressman Bennie Thompson and Civil Rights expert John Dittmer.<\/p>\n
The conference placed special emphasis on student-level concerns, but also offered a wide selection of sessions for all attendees \u2014 including such topics as Civil Rights history, education, religion, healthcare and multi-cultural sensitivity.<\/p>\n
LaForge pushed for the event from the moment he took office in 2013, and he was thrilled to see a dedicated commitment from everyone who brought it to fruition.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re very pleased with the speakers, the program and the format of the conference,\u201d said LaForge. \u201cI can tell you that the feedback at this point is very, very positive. I\u2019m thrilled with the outcome.<\/p>\n
\u201cThroughout the conference we had great resources and presenters that made this all possible. The power-packed trio of John Dittmer, Gov. William Winter and Congressman Bennie Thompson was really a great trifecta.\u201d<\/p>\n
Student Government Association President Sydney Hodnett said the experience provided students with a unique and necessary platform for meaningful discussion.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was an opportunity for us to meet significant leaders who had an influence on the Civil Right movement and diversity in the Delta\u201d said Hodnett. \u201cSome of the panels and lectures taught students to get out of their comfort zones \u2014 which made us realize how important it is to discuss these critical topics.\u201d<\/p>\n
The conference also developed a presence on social media. Twitter handle @paulbabba said, “We have to teach kids it’s about the heart of the person. Not their differences.” @deltastate #WinningTheRace.<\/p>\n
@kmday95 said, \u201cYes thank you @deltastate for putting on such an awesome start to an engaging conference #proudstudent.\u201d<\/p>\n
Panelist and local small business owner @suzettematthews quoted Congressmen Thompson, \u201c\u2018There’s no substitute for talking to each other.\u2019 @BennieGThompson. Let’s start bridging racial gaps in MS. @deltastate #diversity #equity.\u201d<\/p>\n
LaForge added Winning the Race should become an annual tradition to highlight race relations in the Mississippi Delta.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe think we have a solid foundation and platform to go ahead and continue this as a program,\u201d he said. \u201cWe will be doing the evaluation of this conference soon and we certainly hope to establish an annual event that perpetuates a very important dialogue at Delta State University and in the Delta.\u201d<\/p>\n