Delta State University and Mississippi Delta Community College receive Wake Forest grant to launch Delta Character Collaborative

Cleveland, MS (08/03/2026) — Contact: Nathan Duff FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Phone: (662) 846-4678

Email: nduff@deltastate.edu

Delta State University and Mississippi Delta Community College receive Wake Forest grant to launch Delta Character Collaborative

CLEVELAND, Miss. - Delta State University and Mississippi Delta Community College have received a $50,000 Capacity-Building Grant from the Educating Character Initiative at Wake Forest University. DSU and MDCC are among just 68 institutions from across the nation to receive Capacity-Building Grants this year through funding from the Lilly Endowment Inc. The funds will help both institutions build the capacity to create a new character education program that explores leadership, citizenship, and ethical decision-making through the lens of American history and civic thought.

The grant will support the development of the Delta Character Collaborative, a partnership between Delta State University, Mississippi Delta Community College, the Delta State University Foundation, the Delta State Honors Program, the Mississippi Delta Community College Honors College and MDCC's Phi Theta Kappa chapter.

The project will create a free educational curriculum centered on Thomas Jefferson's edited version of the Gospels, commonly known as the Jefferson Bible, while also examining Jefferson's broader writings and the enduring questions of character, leadership, citizenship and public service that continue to shape American life.

Organizers say the project aligns naturally with the nation's America 250 celebration, which commemorated the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

Chief Facilitator of the Delta Character Collaborative and DSU Professor of English Don Allan Mitchell said, "After 250 years, Thomas Jefferson's words still shape how we think about America. A prolific thinker and writer, Jefferson explored religion, philosophy, science, art, the humanities, education, civic life, agriculture, government, geography, public health, and architecture, among many other subjects. Using Jefferson's Bible as a starting point, the Delta Character Collaborative will examine his understanding of ethics and the contradictions of his life, helping students across disciplines explore their own ethics and their thinking on the common good. I look forward to working alongside faculty, staff, and students at both institutions. I sincerely thank Nicole Andrews at MDCC for embracing the possibilities of this opportunity, serving as co-author and co-editor of our proposal, and helping shape our shared vision for building character education capacity at both institutions," Mitchell also serves as the Director of the DSU Honors Program.

The grant was awarded through Wake Forest University's Educating Character Initiative, a national program designed to help colleges and universities integrate character education into their curricula, campus cultures and student experiences. Supported by Lilly Endowment Inc., the initiative provides funding, training and collaborative support to institutions seeking to develop students' moral, civic and intellectual character.

Capacity-Building Grants of up to $50,000 are intended to help institutions establish the foundation for character education initiatives by providing resources, planning support and opportunities for institutional collaboration.

The collaborative effort emerged through ongoing conversations among faculty and administrators at both institutions about how higher education can help students develop not only academic knowledge but also the habits of character needed for effective leadership and engaged citizenship.

"Mississippi Delta Community College is proud to partner with Delta State University on a project that invites students to thoughtfully engage with questions of ethics, leadership and civic responsibility," said Nicole Andrews, Speech Instructor and Phi Theta Kappa advisor at MDCC. "Through the Honors College and Phi Theta Kappa, our students will have meaningful opportunities to examine history, consider diverse perspectives and develop the character and leadership skills needed to make a positive difference in their communities."

The curriculum developed through the project will be made available free of charge and is expected to serve both educational institutions and community organizations throughout the region. Organizers envision a series of educational resources, discussions and public programming designed to foster thoughtful engagement with questions of character and citizenship.

Dr. Suzette Matthews, Vice President for University Advancement and Executive Director of the Delta State University Foundation, said the partnership demonstrates the power of collaboration in creating educational opportunities that extend beyond a single campus.

"The Delta Character Collaborative demonstrates the power of partnership to create meaningful educational opportunities," said Matthews. "We are grateful to Wake Forest University's Educating Character Initiative for investing in a project that will bring students, faculty and community members together to explore character, leadership and citizenship. As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, this initiative connects our nation's history with the values that continue to shape its future."

The project also reflects a growing national interest in character education within higher education. Through the Educating Character Initiative, Wake Forest University has supported colleges and universities across the country in developing programs that strengthen students' capacity for ethical leadership, civic engagement and service to others.

Planning and curriculum development will begin this summer, with additional announcements regarding programming and public participation opportunities expected in the coming months.

For more information about the Delta Character Collaborative, contact the Delta State University Honors Program at honors@deltastate.edu or the MDCC PTK Advisor at nandrews@msdelta.edu.

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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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