President’s Message Dear Alumni and Friends, Universities would not thrive without strong and active alumni, and Delta State is fortunate to have a great Alumni Association that supports our university’s faculty, students, and programs. To pay tribute to and express appreciation to those who manage the affairs of the organization as members of the Alumni Board, I have listed below those who serve. The information includes names, year of baccalaureate graduation, current career position, and community of residence (Mississippi unless otherwise indicated). It is an impressive group. Officers of the Board • President: George Bassi (’87), Executive Director, Lauren Rodgers Museum of Art, Laurel • President Elect: Richard Myers (’91), Partner, Stites and Harbison, Brentwood, TN • Past President: John Cox (’96), Attorney, Cox and Moore, Cleveland • Secretary: Serena Clark (’97), AvantGarde Strategies, LLC, Madison Members of the Board • George Miller (’00), Vice President of Development, Southern College of Optometry, Southaven • Rob Armour (’95), First Vice President of Marketing, Trustmark Bank in Jackson, Madison • Chris Shivers (’94), Farm Bureau, Hattiesburg • Patrick Davis (’96), State Farm Agent, Boyle • Ron Selby (’91), Sales Representative, Sanofi-Aventis, Leland • David Parker (’93), Senior Vice President Economic Development, Electric Power Associations of MS, Brandon • Sayward Fortner (’04), Attorney, Cleveland • Amanda Fontaine (’94), Executive Director of Mississippi Firefighters Memorial Burn Association, Inc., Brandon • Felecia Lee (’01), Art Teacher, Pearl High School, Brandon • John Arnold (’58), Teacher (retired), Cleveland • Karen Swain (’01), Special Agent Auditor, Clarksdale • Jeremy Pittman (’05), Instructor, Coahoma Community College, Cleveland • Chrissy Lamastus (’96), North Sunflower Medical Hospital, Cleveland
• Emily Hearn (current student), President, Student Government Association, Cleveland • Laura St. Columbia (current student), President, Student Alumni Association, Cleveland • Walter Trevathan, II (’97), Pilot, Pinnacle Airlines, Collierville, TN • Lynn Weaver (’97), Music Teacher, Petal High School, Raymond • Lana Aguzzi (’03), Radiation Therapist, Northwest Regional Medical Center, Cleveland • Lylla Joe (’00), Community Outreach Coordinator, MS Organ Agency, Madison • Mike Neyman (’72), Consultant, Hernando
The Alumni board works each year to raise money and generate support by holding annual events at home and in cities throughout Mississippi and elsewhere. The board members network with other members of the Delta State University family during these events. They have consistently worked to increase the attendance and support at DSU events and have had much success. The Alumni Association continues its work to build the organization toward an even more positive future. We are tremendously grateful to all who serve and all who give. Thank you. Sincerely,
John M. Hilpert President
2 • Delta State Magazine • Summer 2011