Delta State's Men: A Presidential Exhibit

Charles W. Capps, Jr.
Archives and Museum

Click here to view photos from the exhibit in a virtual tour.

Delta State's First President
James Wesley Broom
1925-1926

In February 1925, H.B. Heidelberg, chairman of the committee to select a president for Delta State Teachers College, annouced the unanimous nomination of James Wesley Broom as the first president of Delta State. Broom accepted the honor and the challenge set before him with enthusiasm and determination. Broom had previously taught at Mississippi Normal School (now the University of Southern Mississippi) and had served as assistant superintendent of education. During his short tenure in office, Broom succeeded in obtaining appropriations for Delta State from the legislature. He secured a $175,000 appropriation for a girls dormitory, which was named Cleveland Hall, as well as a framed gymnasium, laundromat and residences for the dean and president. Sadly, President Broom passed away in May 1926, just before the end of Delta State's first academic year.

Delta State's Second President
William Marion Kethley
1926-1956

As the youngest college president in the state, Dr. Kethley assumed the reins at Delta State Teachers College with determination and enthusiasm. Holding the respect and admiration of both students an educators alike, he dispensed his authority in a quiet and humble manner. During Dr. Kethley's years as president, the Delta Council was organized at Delta State. The college became a member of both the American Association of Teachers Colleges and the Southern Associtation of Colleges and Schools. Dr. Kethley oversaw widespread campus constuction. His apreciation for nature is evident today, as it is to his credit that Delta State can boast the oaks, the cypress dogwood and mimosas on campus. The Department of Music, along with the university's other departments, educated many fine musicians during this time, including composer Ruth Fischer in 1930.

Delta State's Third President
James Milton Ewing
1956-1971

Dr. Ewing was strongly supported by the college, the community and state legislators. Interested in high academic standards, Ewing charged the students in 1958 with the responsibility of living up to the motto of Delta State, "The Friendlest School in Dixie." In 1959, the college switched from the quarter system to the semester system. Another change included the addition of a graduate program, which was initiated in the summer of 1965. On July 1, 1964, Dr. Ewing announced Delta State's first full-time alumni secretary, Forest Kent Wyatt. Buildings, as well as academic divisions and departments, were added. By the time Dr. Ewing retired, the student enrollment soared from 527 in 1956 to 3,309 in 1971. While there were on hundred new faculty members, those who held Ph.D.s increased by sixfold.

Delta State's Fourth President
Aubrey Keith Lucas
1971-1975

Striving to increase and improve Delta State's Credibility as a reputable institution of higher learning, one of Dr. Lucas' goals was to improve academic programs. He worked closely with the National Council Accreditation for Teacher Education. In 1973, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools reaccredited Delta State. In 1974, Delta State College became known as Delta State University. During Dr. Lucas' tenure, there were two major gifts for the Delta State University Foundation--the Nellie Nugent Somerville Lecture Series on Government and Public Affairs and for the West Carillon. Also, the women's basketball program was revived. The Lady statesmen won their first national championship in 1975. Dr. Lucas returned to the University of Southern Mississippi to become their new president that same year, where he remained until his retirement in 1996.

Delta State's Fifth President
Forest Kent Wyatt
1975-1999

Kent Wyatt began his tenure as the fifth president of Delta State University during its fiftieth anniversary. Before he served as an assistant to the president under Presidents Ewing and Lucas, he was the university's almuni director. During Dr. Wyatt's presidency, he led a well-rounded university. The Lady Statesmen Basketball Team won their secound and third consecutive national championships. Members of the Division of Languages and Literature faculty initiated the Delta Area Writing Project to assist English teachers and students in Delta schools. Dr. Wyatt would deliver the first doctoral degree awarded to by the university in May of 1984. The cheerleaders won the 1992 Division II national championship, which they would win four more times during his tenure. Both men and women students won the Gulf South Conference Commissioner's Trophy, marking the first time that the recipients were students at the same university. In 1999, the Delta State University Alumni Foundation exceeded their five million-dollar fundraising goal set three years earlier when the campaign reached to ten million dollar mark. Dr. Wyatt announed his retirement in January of 1999.

Delta State's Seventh President
John Hilpert
2003-present

With bold ambitions for the school’s future, Dr. Hilpert took office as President of Delta State University on September 1, 2003.  Coming off of a very successful tenure as President of Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota, Dr. Hilpert saw great promise not only in Delta State, but in the Delta as a region.  With this in mind, he set as the agenda for the University the goal of becoming “the best regional university in America.” Under the leadership of Dr. Hilpert, Delta State has seen an expansion of its facilities, academic opportunities, and dreams for itself.