Mississippi Valley State University News December 23, 2015 Alumnus Perkins Makes Major Contribution to MVSU Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU) alum, Dr. Claude Perkins, president of Virginia Union University (VUU), recently donated a house to MVSU, in honor of his former mentor and choir director Dr. and Mrs. Olympia P. Lowe. "Dr. Lowe used to be the vice president of academic affairs and my mentor. Mrs. Lowe was my choir director; I sang in the choir for four years," he added. "I have been really close to the Lowe family for well over 50 years; Mr. and Mrs. Lowe were more than just instructors and mentors to me, they were my family. I established a scholarship in Mrs. Lowe's honor and now it is an even greater privilege to donate this property," continued Perkins. The house is located in Itta Bena, Miss. on Delta Drive. It was designed by MVSU's first president, Dr. James Herbert White and formerly owned by the Lowe family. "I would stay at the house while visiting the campus for speaking engagements or homecoming," he added. "MVSU is overwhelmed by the generosity of alumnus Dr. Claude Perkins, said Dr. William Bynum, MVSU president. "It is alumni of the institution such as Dr. Perkins who contribute to the everlasting viability of this great institution which makes the greatest impact on our sustainability. I would like to thank Dr. Perkins on behalf of the MVSU family." Perkins is in demand as a national spokesperson. He recently served as the keynote speaker for the 32nd Annual UNCF Martin Luther King Day Breakfast. He joined several other Historically Black College University (HBCU) presidents for a HBCU Panel Discussion at the City Club of Cleveland in June 2015, and in November 2015 he participated in an HBCU Presidents Panel in celebration of the 150th Anniversary of Virginia Union University. He was also a panelist at the National Action Network Annual Conference. In addition, he has been interviewed by National Public Radio, WRIC-TV, WTVR-TV, and WWBT-TV. According to Perkins, many of the people who lived on or near Delta Drive were associated with the university and were pioneers who retired in that area. "I have been closely associated with the university and persons there for many, many years, " said Perkins. "I thank the university for all that they have done to support people in the Mississippi Delta. I know the value of MVSU to the area and I know the value that it has added to my life," he added. Perkins said the use of the house is left at the discretion of the president. "I would like for it to be used to accommodate guest of the university. I am certain that the president will come up with important and interesting use for the property," said Perkins. "I am very humble and joyful to donate this house to the university," continued Perkins. Perkins graduated from MVSU in 1964 with a degree in political science. He now serves as the 12th president of VUU. Since his appointment as chief executive officer in January of 2009, the VUU has undergone a major transformation. Perkins' achievements include increases in enrollment, scholarships, retention, and the university's net assets. He has substantially stabilized the financial position of the university and continues to grow the endowment for long term financial viability. Toward that end, in June of 2015, VUU exceeded its Comprehensive Campaign goal of $30 million. Perkins was the first African American to serve as superintendent of schools in Clark County, Nevada, which includes Las Vegas, the 5th largest in the nation. The Clark County - Nevada School Board honored him for his work with the naming of the $25 million Claude Grandford Perkins Elementary School. He also served as superintendent of schools in Kansas City, Missouri and deputy and assistant superintendent of schools for the City of Richmond, Virginia. In addition, Perkins was appointed by the Governor of the State of Nevada to serve as the state director (secretary) of commerce in 1982 with oversight responsibility of billions of dollars in state assets. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-702-5854 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 Like us on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/hbculibraryalliance/ 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.