Joining President LaForge is Dr. Glen Jones, who served as the keynote speaker at Spring Commencement.

Dr. Jones was introduced as the 17th president of Henderson State on March 6, 2012, making him the first African American to serve as president or chancellor of a majority white institution in the history of Arkansas higher education. And, he was recently selected as chair of the NCAA Division II Presidents Council, which comprises 16 presidents or chancellors from active Division II members from around the nation.

The Presidents Council is the highest-ranking governing body in NCAA Division II, and it helps shape policy and the future direction of NCAA Division II. Its members are charged with setting the strategic direction for the division in all areas, including the division’s financial affairs and championships administration.

In other news on campus, Summer I session begins next week, but there’s still time to register for courses if you wish to get ahead in your degree or simply wish to take an elective. We offer a multitude of classes, ranging from the general education requirements to electives to upper level courses.  Summer School allows you to devote more time to a course or two without the pressure of a full class load. Registration for Summer I closes next Wednesday, May 30.

To keep up with all of our news, events and activities, please visit our website at deltastate.edu.

Joining President LaForge is Mavis Staples, the honorary doctoral degree recipient for May Spring Commencement.

At Delta State, we take great pride in recognizing excellence by conferring honorary doctoral degrees to individuals who have made significant and meritorious contributions to the university, higher education generally, or other areas of society.

At our May Commencement Ceremony, we were pleased to bestow an honorary doctorate to Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, a GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Blues Hall of Fame inductee, Kennedy Center Honoree, and a National Heritage Fellowship Award recipient — the one and only Mavis Staples.

Since Ms. Staples’ first recording at age 13 in 1954, the musical world has learned from her and worked with her, and she has schooled countless legends. And, each and every time on stage, she has performed with timeless talent.

Ms. Staples’ stardom began with the Delta-influenced gospel sound she helped create in the 1950s with her father, Pops, and her brother and sisters as The Staple Singers.

The Staple Singers, inspired by Pops’ close friendship with Martin Luther King, Jr., became the spiritual and musical voices of the Civil Rights movement.

Ms. Staples then topped the radio charts during the Stax era with hits like “I’ll Take You There” and “Respect Yourself.” She served as muse to both Bob Dylan and Prince at the peak of their careers, and later formed collaborations with Van Morrison, Billy Preston, Zac Brown, Ry Cooder, Chuck D. and Willie Nelson.

Few can rival her impact in American music history, and her family’s impact on Civil Rights.  These are just a couple of the many reasons Delta State University chose to award Ms. Staples with an honorary doctoral degree.

In other news on campus, Okra Kids Camp begins next week, and we will welcome youth to our campus to take part in activities like kayaking, canoeing, disc golf, and many others. And, various athletic teams will host camps throughout the summer. Visit gostatesmen.com to learn more about the campus being offered and to sign up your children or grandchildren.

To keep up with all of our news, events and activities, please visit our website at deltastate.edu.

Joining President LaForge are graduates Michael Hargrove and Abbigail Myers.

Commencement is one of the greatest events on campus each year, as it represents the culmination of our students’ tremendous dedication and hard work over the years. This spring, Delta State awarded degrees to more than 400 students. The university also awarded an honorary degree to Ms. Mavis Staples, the renowned R&B and gospel singer, actress, and civil rights activist.

In other news on campus, it is time again for Delta State’s summer camps, and there is a wide variety of opportunities ranging from athletics to music to art. For more information and to register, visit www.deltastate.edu/summercamps. Also, summer school classes begin Tuesday, May 29, and there’s still time to register. To see a full list of summer courses offered, visit www.deltastate.edu/summerschool.

To keep up with all of our news, events and activities, please visit our website at deltastate.edu.