Delta State University Alumni Association announces 2026 alumni award recipients

Cleveland, MS (03/24/2026) — Contact: Nathan Duff FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Phone: (662) 846-4678

Email: nduff@deltastate.edu

Delta State University Alumni Association announces 2026 alumni award recipients

CLEVELAND, Miss. - The Delta State University Alumni Association is pleased to recognize the recipients of the 2026 Alumni Awards, honoring graduates whose accomplishments, service, and leadership exemplify the values and tradition of the Statesman community.

These outstanding alumni will be honored during the 2026 Alumni Awards Reception on Friday, March 27, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in the Leroy Morganti Atrium inside Kent Wyatt Hall on the campus of Delta State University.

The 2026 award recipients include:

Outstanding Alumnus of the Year Steven Craddock '05

Alumni Hall of Fame Jerry D. Barton '91 Julia Gaston Cannon '00, '01 Steven Craddock '05 Chaley Brunetti Rosenthal '10 Malik Senegal '19

Hugh Ellis Walker Alumni Service Award Joe Saia '88

Kent Wyatt Young Alumnus Service Award William Branton '20

Henry Outlaw Retired Faculty/Staff Alumni Service Award Christy Riddle '94, '95, '00

Distinguished Statesman Award Rex Keeton '68

"These individuals represent the very best of Delta State," said Corley Mullins '06, '10, '23, Director of Alumni Affairs. "Their accomplishments, leadership, and dedication to serving others reflect the values that make our university and alumni family so special. We are proud to celebrate their impact and recognize the ways they continue to honor Delta State through their work and service."

Tickets for the reception are $25 each and may be purchased online at https://deltastategiving.org/campaign/2026-alumni-awards-reception/ or in person at the Hugh Ellis Walker Alumni-Foundation House.

The annual Alumni Awards Reception is one of the Alumni Association's most meaningful traditions, celebrating graduates who have distinguished themselves professionally and through service to their communities and to Delta State University.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit deltastategiving.org.

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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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