DSU's Ennis presents State of the University address at 2024 Convocation

by Nathan Duff

Cleveland, MS (08/20/2024) — Contact: Christy Riddle FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Phone: (662) 846-4336

Email: criddle@deltastate.edu

DSU's Ennis presents State of the University address at 2024 Convocation

CLEVELAND, Miss. - Delta State University held its General Convocation at the Bologna Performing Arts Center Friday, August 16. New faculty and staff were recognized and DSU President Dr. Daniel J. Ennis delivered his second State of the University address.

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Leslie Griffin welcomed attendees and introduced each speaker. The assembly was addressed by Mary Parker Reddit, President-Elect of the Cleveland-Bolivar County Chamber of Commerce. She spoke to the relationship between gown and town and pledged the support of the local business community to the university. President of the Faculty Senate Dr. Nora Gough-Davis introduced the new faculty members, and Amber Hays, Chair of the Administrative Staff Council introduced new staff members.

Griffin then introduced Ennis, who began by invoking the spirit of Jim Henson and Henson's alter ego, Kermit the Frog, inviting the audience to contemplate the meaning of the song, "It's Not Easy Being Green."

Ennis said, "It is not easy being Delta State University. We are challenged to do a difficult thing-to offer a first-class education with limited resources. It's not easy when you're already working to your limit and giving to your limit and someone, perhaps this president, asks you for even more. But even with our noble mission, it's not easy. When you're small and green, like Delta State, you must hop around, keeping in motion, seeking the conditions for survival. So, I keep Kermit in my office, as a reminder."

Ennis spoke about the challenges facing the university but offered three points as evidence of a path to a brighter future. He reported that, for the first time in many years, Delta State has added over two million dollars to the institution's cash reserves. He said, "This savings means that Delta State University can count on an additional ten days of cash on hand, an increase on the 23 days reserve we had upon my arrival. We now have 33 days of cash between us and any crisis."

Secondly, he forecasted an increase in enrollment for the upcoming year. He said, "Somehow you all defied my projections. As of yesterday afternoon, total headcount enrollment at this university was up 4% compared to this time last year. You - the admissions team, the faculty, the staff, everyone in this space who has anything to do with the recruitment and retention of students, you not only made up for any losses through transfer, but somehow you found even more students. If these numbers hold until the census date, we will celebrate a second consecutive year of increased enrollment."

Lastly, Ennis announced the crafting of a new mission statement and new strategic plan for the university and new strategic plan. He said, "'The mission of Delta State University is to offer exceptional programs and opportunities that are current, innovative, and responsive to the diverse needs of those it serves. The University provides experiences that cultivate intellectual growth and individual enrichment to develop productive members of local, regional, and global communities.' I know they didn't plan it, but I am delighted the committee used the words 'cultivate' and 'enrich.' These old agricultural terms point us to our task and call us to our duty to fill barren spaces with green life. This mission statement will let us plan and plant for the future."

Ennis concluded his address by saying, "We have been entrusted with this university, and our students, as well as this community, as well as the state of Mississippi, have a right to expect us to leave it better than we found it. Other people built this place for us. We are obliged to protect it for the generations to come. 'Generations to come.' That is a cliche, a worn-out phrase that probably appears in hundreds of speeches just like this one. But I choose that phrase for its root. To generate, to germinate, to grow, to change, green season after green season, since 1924 and for centuries to come. It's not easy being green, but I am pleased to announce that the state of the university is evergreen."

Video replay of the event is available at https://livestream.com/deltastateuniversity.

Cutline: Delta State President Dr. Daniel J. Ennis related the motivation he gets from Jim Henson's work as he delivered the 2024 State of the University address Friday at the BPAC.

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