BY JACK CRISS DBJ Executive Editor

A celebration of the past with an eye toward the future. This was the sentiment that summed up Mississippi Valley State University’s recent Founder’s Week gala, held at the Itta Bena campus the week of April 22-28.
Dr. Roy C. Hudson, vice-president for University Relations at Valley State, says that “I think this year’s Founder’s Week festivities were very much in keeping with the traditions and highlights of our University. But at the same time, we highlighted the new energies and new directions we wish Valley State to take,” Hudson adds. “We really expanded our horizons this year with the caliber of national figures and celebrities we brought to the campus for Founders Week,” Hudson notes, referring to guest speakers actor Ed Asner, NFL star and Valley alum Ashley Ambrose, performer Melba Moore, among many others.
“Our Scholarship Gala, with Mr. Asner, Ms. Moore, and Dr. Dorothy Height, one of our outstanding Civil Rights leaders, was bigger and better than last year, in my opinion,” Dr. Hudson states. “The attendance was up, as well. The books have not been been closed yet on the revenue generated for the scholarships, but preliminary reports indicate that they will be up also.”
Dr. Hudson says that the level of participation from people in the community, on the campus, and from across the nation was outstanding and very encouraging to him and Valley State President, Dr. Lester Newman. “This was the one week that Valley sets aside to celebrate its mission, as well as its past and future accomplishments, and we were overwhelmed with the response we received,” Hudson says.
“I think once again we proved that, even though we are here in the Mississippi Delta, off the beaten track in Itta Bena, we can bring high quality people to our door,” Hudson continues. “I like to raise the point that, by bringing the type of individuals we did to Valley during Founder’s Week, and getting the type of positive response we got, it really opens up everyone’s eyes as to what a jewel we have here. People say ‘Wow!’,” Hudson laughs. “We proved once again what a great educational facility we have here at Valley State.”
Hudson mentions that the Founder’s Week celebration brought in coverage from around the state, even a call from CNN and several national publications. “Such attention and accolades means a great deal to our students, and gives them a greater sense of the strength of our traditions,” Hudson says. “We also had the opportunity to honor many of our own during the James Herbert White Preeminence Awards ceremony, which also lets folks know that Valley has produced people who have succeeded, such as business leaders, politicians, teachers, and so forth.”
As Founder’s Week reminded the Delta, and the nation, Mississippi Valley State University is all about tradition, but one that is grounded in the present with an open eye to the future. DBJ