{"id":93151,"date":"2023-05-23T13:04:23","date_gmt":"2023-05-23T18:04:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.deltastate.edu\/news-and-events\/?p=93151"},"modified":"2023-05-23T13:04:23","modified_gmt":"2023-05-23T18:04:23","slug":"outgoing-dsu-interim-president-caston-honored-with-reception","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.deltastate.edu\/news-and-events\/2023\/05\/outgoing-dsu-interim-president-caston-honored-with-reception\/","title":{"rendered":"Outgoing DSU Interim President Caston Honored With Reception"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]CLEVELAND, Miss.<\/strong> \u2014 Members of the Delta State University community gathered Tuesday, May 23 in the Leroy E. Morganti Atrium of Kent Wyatt Hall to say farewell to Dr. E. E. \u201cButch\u201d Caston, who is retiring after serving as DSU\u2019s interim president. DSU\u2019s incoming president, Dr. Daniel J. Ennis, will begin his duties June 1.<\/p>\n

Dr. Michelle Roberts, Vice President for University Relations and Chief of Staff said, \u201cWe appreciate Dr. Caston coming out of retirement for the fourth time to help his alma mater. He has served Delta State so well this past year, and we hope he is actually able to enjoy retirement after this stint.\u201d<\/p>\n

Caston, a graduate of Delta State in 1966, has come out of retirement multiple times to serve interim roles for DSU. He first made his professional mark at the university by serving as dean of the College of Education from 1989-2002.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe one thing that I found coming to Delta State initially as a student, was that it\u2019s a close and accepting environment,\u201d said Caston. \u201cMany years later, returning as an employee, I found that quality still existed, and it still does today.\u201d<\/p>\n

He returned to the university in 2013 at the request of President William N. LaForge to serve as interim provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. His return in 2015 followed the retirement of Dr. Wayne Blansett, who served the university for 40 years. He was called upon once again in 2022 to take on the role of interim president.<\/p>\n

Athletic Director Mike Kinnison said, \u201cI have great admiration and respect for Dr. Caston. He\u2019s really been a model of service to the university. He has never said no when asked to serve in any capacity, and I just think that is such a great example to so many of us to follow and it demonstrates his love for this university.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cleveland mayor Billy Nowell said, \u201cReally proud to be here for Butch today. He\u2019s been a great, great leader for many years around here and we wish him well in his retirement. We look forward to Delta State moving forward after his great leadership.\u201d<\/p>\n

Caston said, \u201cI want to thank everybody for their support, it\u2019s pretty heartwarming to see this turnout from the community.\u201d<\/p>\n

Caston and his wife, Marlene, plan to travel. He said, \u201cWe have five kids, all with families \u2013 international and national \u2013 so we will be in and out. They live in South Africa, Idaho, the Gulf Coast, Atlanta, and we have 15 grandkids, so we will stay busy. I don\u2019t have any horses, but I\u2019ve got one dog, and the dog travels. We have a plan and are excited to get back to it. But this has been a really heartwarming experience, coming back, and the outpouring from the community and the campus has made my challenges a lot easier. The support is unwavering. We\u2019re on a good track.\u201d[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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