DSU receives $25,000 grant from Steve Azar St. Cecilia Foundation to benefit Delta Music Institute

Cleveland, MS (10/15/2024) — Contact: Christy Riddle FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Phone: (662) 846-4336

Email: criddle@deltastate.edu

DSU receives $25,000 grant from Steve Azar St. Cecilia Foundation to benefit Delta Music Institute

CLEVELAND, Miss. - The Delta State University Foundation has been awarded a generous grant of $25,000 from the Steve Azar St. Cecilia Foundation to support the Delta Music Institute (DMI). This contribution will enhance opportunities for DMI students and elevate the program's resources, thanks to $20,000 allocated for the Delta Music Institute scholarship fund and $5,000 for maintaining recording studio technology, student recruitment events, and guest visits from professionals in the entertainment industry.

DMI Director Richard Tremmel said, "We are extremely thankful for the St. Cecilia Foundation. Through this scholarship fund, we have been able to help 15-20 DMI students every semester."

Steve Azar, Mississippi's Music and Culture Ambassador and founder of the Steve Azar St. Cecilia Foundation said, "Speaking for the board of our foundation, we're grateful to have the opportunity to continue giving to a program that means so much to me. The Delta Music institute at my beloved Delta State University is paving the way for future greats in the music business. We are the birthplace of it all and there are bright futures roaming these halls each and every year. It's always a blessing to support them and this vital entertainment industry studies program!"

The grant, made possible through funds raised at the annual Delta Soul Celebrity Golf & Charity Event, reflects the Steve Azar St. Cecilia Foundation's ongoing commitment to supporting arts programs in schools and organizations across the Mississippi Delta. The Foundation aims to create educational and cultural opportunities that foster the region's rich musical heritage and develop the next generation of talent.

"We are extremely grateful to the Steve Azar St. Cecilia Foundation for their continued support of the Delta Music Institute," said DSU President Dr. Daniel J. Ennis. "This grant not only strengthens our scholarship fund but also enables us to provide state-of-the-art facilities and industry connections to our students."

$5,000 of the grant will ensure that DMI's recording studios remain on the cutting edge of technology and will help attract talented students to the program. It will also support events that bring entertainment industry experts to campus, giving students invaluable real-world insights into the music business.

For more information about the Delta Music Institute and its programs, please visit www.deltastate.edu/dmi. To learn more about the Steve Azar St. Cecilia Foundation and the Delta Soul Celebrity Golf & Charity Event, visit www.steveazar.com.

Cutline: Delta Music Institute Director Richard Tremmel (L) was joined on the DSU campus Tuesday, October 11 by Mississippi's Music and Culture Ambassador Steve Azar to announce the latest gift to the DMI from the Steve Azar St. Cecilia Foundation.

###

About the Delta Music Institute:The Delta Music Institute is an independent center under the College of Business and Aviation at Delta State University. Its mission is to provide students with a broad, interdisciplinary approach to music and entertainment studies. The DMI offers opportunities for students to experience the technological, creative, and business aspects of the entertainment industry.

About the Steve Azar St. Cecilia Foundation:The Steve Azar St. Cecilia Foundation supports charitable organizations that focus on the arts, especially those providing educational opportunities for children. Through its annual Delta Soul Celebrity Golf & Charity Event, the Foundation raises funds to benefit arts programs throughout the Mississippi Delta region.

About Delta State University: Delta State University is a four-year public institution whose nearly 2,700 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 14 national championships, 70 conference championships, and 37 regional titles.

Media Attachments