The Jackson-Hinds Chapter of Mississippi Valley State University’s National Alumni Association recently held its 18th Annual Business Scholarship Luncheon in Jackson.
The alumni gathered at the Clarion Hotel and Suites and had the honor of hearing Valley’s sixth and first female president, Donna Oliver, deliver the keynote address.
While making her speech, Oliver reiterated her displeasure with Gov. Haley Barbour’s plan to merge her institution as well as Alcorn State University with Jackson State University.
“What God has put in the Valley, no man can touch,” said Oliver.
Oliver also stressed to the alumni that they cannot sit back and wait on the state to decide the future of The Valley. She challenged the alumni to go out and raise their own funds.
“I need something from you,” said Oliver. “I need the alumni to raise one million dollars by June 1 and another half a million dollars by homecoming.”
A challenge that didn’t seem very unreachable to national chapter president Mary Crump.
“Madam President, I believe that we can get 10,000 alumni to donate $100,” said Crump. “And if I’m correct, that gives you your one million dollars.”
Another treat was the sounds of Valley’s Choral Ensemble directed by Orlando Moss. The ensemble performed at the luncheon by singing a special arrangement inspired by Oliver, ‘The New Renaissance.’
It was noted that these luncheons, over the years, have raised more than $200,000 to support scholarships for students attending MVSU.
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