Delta Music Institute receives $25,000 grant from Steve Azar St. Cecilia Foundation
Cleveland, MS (09/08/2026) — Contact: Nathan Duff FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Phone: (662) 846-4678
Email: nduff@deltastate.edu
Delta Music Institute receives $25,000 grant from Steve Azar St. Cecilia Foundation
CLEVELAND, Miss. - The Steve Azar St. Cecilia Foundation has awarded a $25,000 grant to Delta State University to support scholarships and program-related expenses at the Delta Music Institute.
The award continues the foundation's longstanding support of DMI and its students. The foundation previously awarded the program a $20,000 grant in 2021 and a $25,000 grant in 2024. The 2024 award provided $20,000 for scholarships and $5,000 for recording studio technology, student recruitment activities and visits from entertainment industry professionals.
"We are extremely grateful to Steve and Gwen Azar, the St. Cecilia Foundation board and everyone who supports Delta Soul," said Dr. Richard Tremmel, Director of the Delta Music Institute at Delta State University. "This support will directly benefit our students by helping provide educational opportunities and resources that strengthen their experience at Delta State."
Dr. Suzette Matthews, Vice President for University Advancement and Executive Director of the Delta State University Foundation, said the grant demonstrates how charitable support can directly strengthen the educational opportunities available to students.
"The continued generosity of Steve and Gwen Azar and the St. Cecilia Foundation is an investment in our students and in the Delta's creative future," Matthews said. "Scholarships help talented students pursue their education while support for program expenses ensures they have access to the technology, experiences and professional connections they need to prepare for careers in the entertainment industry. We are deeply grateful for this enduring partnership."
Funding for the foundation's grants is raised through the annual Delta Soul Celebrity Golf & Charity Event, which brings together sponsors, volunteers and patrons to support fine arts programs and other charitable causes throughout the Delta region.
Founded by Gwen and Steve Azar, the Steve Azar St. Cecilia Foundation supports fine arts programs and opportunities in schools, communities and organizations across the region. The foundation has distributed more than $1.5 million in support of arts programs and children's charities.
Individuals and organizations interested in supporting scholarships, academic programs and other initiatives at Delta State may learn more about giving opportunities through the Delta State University Foundation at deltastategiving.org.
Cutline: Steve Azar at the DMI during a recent visit to campus.
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About Delta State University: Delta State University is a four-year public institution whose nearly 2,800 students come from most U.S. states and more than 45 countries. Acknowledging its beginning as a teacher's college, the University sustains excellence in teacher education while continuing to expand offerings in traditional as well as unique fields of study. Programs such as those available through the Delta Music Institute, the Commercial Aviation Department, and the Center for Interdisciplinary Geospatial Information highlight the University's commitment to meeting the evolving needs of the students it serves with world-leading, industry-acclaimed programs. Situated in the heart of the Mississippi Delta, Delta State offers top-notch academic programs in business, arts, sciences, nursing, education, and more. DSU Athletics has won 15 national championships, 70 conference championships, and 37 regional titles.
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Steve Azar at the DMI during a recent visit to campus.
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