The Mississippi Valley State University Alumni Association has partnered with the university to host events to benefit a “race to a million dollars” this weekend.
Jerry Redmond, president of the association, described the race as an attempt by the alumni association “to cast wider support to area facilities, infrastructure, community development, residential housing and student affairs.” The events are part of the association’s 36th Annual Leadership Summit and Convention.
“We are looking to infiltrate the culture and raise our alumni givings from $200,000 to $1 million a year,” Redmond said.
The association has set 2025 as its target year for this goal and will reassess at that time, he said.
Funding will support scholarships and other programs, such as providing food for the football team or other nontraditional needs the students may have.
The keynote speakers will be state Sen. Derrick Simmons, D-Greenville, and Clarksdale resident Tim Lampkin, a 2009 MVSU graduate and CEO of Higher Purpose, a nonprofit agency.
Simmons was selected because of his connection to the Delta and his position within the Legislative Black Caucus, and Lampkin was chosen because of his support of the Delta, Redmond said.
One $25,000 scholarship that will be funded by this event is coming from Lampkin’s nonprofit and targeted to students in the area of business. There will be a check presentation at the Leadership Luncheon, during which the association will also induct two honorary lifetime members. These will be U.S. Rep. Bennie G. Thompson as an honorary member and Dr. Alfred Rankins Jr., Mississippi’s higher education commissioner and a former acting president of MVSU.
Thompson will join the festivities virtually from home, where he is isolating with COVID-19.
Honorees were chosen by the Jackson-Hinds alumni chapter based on community service and professional positions, Redmond said.
Two educators and an administrator also will be honored at the Legends Gala with Lifetime Achievement Awards. This year’s honorees are Dr. Lawrence Goldman, a professor of music and founder of the MVSU Piano Festival; Barbara J.P. Washington, a former assistant professor of English who served in many advisory roles; and Dr. Roy Hudson, a longtime administrator and former interim president of the university. These “legends” were chosen because of their “mammoth careers” and contributions to the university, Redmond said.
The gala will feature music from the 601 Live Band beginning at 7 p.m. Saturday.
“An Evening at the Valley” will precede Saturday’s entertainment. Friday night the Alumni Association will host alumni- and student-produced entertainment from singing to DJ events, Redmond said.
He hopes the weekend will also raise awareness of the alumni association. “We have a goal to gain 5,000 active members by 2025 with the intent to fully engage active alumni and get them to commit to giving $100 annually,” he said.
To join the alumni association or inquire about the weekend’s events, visit mvsunaa.org.
- Contact Katherine Parker at 662-581-7239 or kparker@gwcommonwealth.com.
