ITTA BENA, Miss.—Derrick Lane II is proof that it’s not where you start that determines where you go, but how you conduct yourself during the journey that can make the most significant difference.

Lane grew up surrounded by crime and poverty in the inner city of Memphis. Despite the odds, he made his way to Mississippi Valley State University, where he graduated magna cum laude in May with a degree in biology.

ITTA BENA, Miss. — A Mississippi Valley State University professor was recently appointed to the board of a local organization devoted to eradicating cancer, particularly in the Mississippi Delta.

MVSU Assistant Professor of Environmental Health Dr. Mark Dugo has joined the board of directors for the Fannie Lou Hamer Cancer Foundation (FLHCF).

ITTA BENA, Miss.—Mississippi Valley State University students recently completed a crash course on avoiding online danger during a special lecture entitled “Cyberspace, Cybersecurity, and Cybercrime.”

ITTA BENA, Miss.—Mississippi Valley State University recently received a $10,150 grant to host the NEA Big Read in the Mississippi Delta community.

A national initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest, the NEA Big Read is designed to broaden the understanding of our world, our communities, and ourselves through the joy of sharing a good book.

ITTA BENA, Miss. — The Mississippi Valley State University Office of Student Leadership and Engagement has been keeping MVSU student leaders “in motion” this summer in preparation for the upcoming school term.

Seven student leaders, along with Director for Student Leadership and Engagement Pamela Hilton and Dean of Student Conduct Raynaldo Gillus, recently traveled to Savannah, Ga. for the 22nd Annual Student Leadership Institute (SLI).