Penney Gong Chinese Heritage Scholarship

The Delta State University flag will fly at half-staff on Friday, July 7, 2023, through sunset on Sunday, July 9, 2023, in memory of Registrar Emeritus Vera “Penney” Gong (’97). She was the first Delta State employee to be the recipient of the H.L. Nowell Outstanding Support Staff Award in 1995, an annual award honoring a staff member who exemplifies outstanding service and dedication to the University.

Vera “Penney” Cheung Gong, age 73, won her battle with cancer on Friday, June 23, 2023. Visitation will be held Saturday, July 8, 2023, from 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m., with a memorial service at 11:00 a.m.

Penney was born on May 19, 1950, in San Francisco, CA, and her family moved to Mississippi in 1954. She graduated from Clarksdale High School in 1968 and later attended classes at Delta State College. In 1970, she married her best friend, soul mate, and partner in crime, Edward, in Helena, AR. In 1976, Penney started working at Delta State University in the Registrar’s Office as a filing clerk. Thus began her true dedication to the Big Green. As Penney continued her career in the Registrar’s Office, her oldest child graduated in 1992; she, alongside her second child, graduated in 1997; and her youngest child graduated in 2001. Penney assisted countless students on their journey to graduation, first as Coordinator of Graduation and ultimately as Registrar, retiring in 2005.

Penney loved DSU and her community. She was an affiliate of the Cleveland Evening Lion’s Club, a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, a volunteer for the Mississippi Delta Chinese Heritage Museum, and an avid bunko player. In 2015, she and Edward opened Harmony Family Entertainment Center.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Penney Gong Chinese Heritage Scholarship fund through this online portal or by mail to: DSU Foundation, DSU Box 3141 Cleveland, MS 38733.