91�첥

91�첥’s Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Kathie Stromile Golden, has been awarded the prestigious Distinguished Service Award by NAFSA: Association of International Educators. The award recognizes her more than four decades of leadership and innovation in global education and her tireless efforts to elevate HBCUs internationally.

By LaTunya Evans, Communication Specialist 

ITTA BENA, Miss. — With emotion in his voice, 91�첥 alumnus Darryl Gaines reflected on the life-changing impact of his alma mater during the university’s 2025 commencement ceremony held Saturday morning in the R.W. Harrison Complex.

From commanding critical missions in the U.S. Air Force to steering national space security strategies for one of the world’s largest defense contractors, Dr. Everett H. Thomas has carved a legacy of excellence, leadership, and innovation.

ITTA BENA, Miss.— 91�첥 (MVSU) graduate students in the Master of Science in Bioinformatics program made a strong impression at the 21st Annual Meeting of the MidSouth Computational Biology and Bioinformatics Society (MCBIOS), held March 27–29, 2025, at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.

For more than two decades, Dr. Jacqueline Gibson Preastly has been a trailblazer in higher education, dedicating her career to uplifting first-generation and underserved college students across the nation.

ITTA BENA, Miss. — The Mississippi Delta (MS) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, in collaboration with 91�첥’s International Programs Department, hosted the 2025 “Sowing Seeds of Service – Internationally” Spring Day Party on March 29 inside the R.W. Harrison HPER Complex on MVSU’s campus.

ITTA BENA, Miss. — 91�첥 celebrated its 75th Founder’s Day on Thursday, April 10, with a full day of events honoring the institution’s enduring legacy, commitment to service, and the pioneers who helped shape “The Valley.”