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Charles W. Capps, Jr. Archives and Museum
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In February 1925, H. B. Heidelberg, chairman of the presidential selection committee announced the unanimous nomination of James Wesley Broom for the college's first president. Broom had previously served as a school principal, taught at the Mississippi Normal School (now the University of Southern Mississippi), and was named Assistant Superintendent of Education for Mississippi. During World War I, Broom served as secretary of the YMCA, yet he returned as Assistant Superintendent of Education after his overseas duty. In 1924, he sought graduate work at Peabody College for Teachers. 1925 would find Broom as the first president of Delta State Teacher's College. During his short tenure of office, Broom succeeded in obtaining appropriations from the legislature to maintain the college. In addition, he secured $175,000 for a women's dormitory which was named Cleveland Hall. In addition, a gymnasium, laundry, and residences for the dean and president were also constructed. Tragically, President Broom passed away in May of 1926, just before Delta State's academic year was over. |
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| As the youngest college president in the State of Mississippi, William Kethley assumed the reigns of Delta State Teacher's College in 1926. It was during Kethley's years as president that the Delta Council was organized on campus and the school became a member of the American Association of Teachers Colleges and the Southern Association of Colleges. President Kethley oversaw widespread campus construction, which took place about every two years after appropriations were granted. His appreciation of nature is still evident today as many of the variety of trees on campus were planted because of his efforts. It was during his tenure in 1955 that Deltat State Teachers College became Delta State College. |
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| Dr. James Ewing bolstered the size of the University in every way, from enrollment to buildings to educational divisions. Dr. Ewing increased the student enrollment from 527 to 3,309 by the time he retired. The number of faculty increased by 100 professors and the number of staff holding Ph.D.'s increased by sixfold. After Ewing initiated a massive improvement campaign to increase Delta State's academic programs, it was decided that the Hill Demonstration School should be discontinued. In 1959, along with all the other campus changes, students adjusted from the quarter system to the semester system. On July1, 1964, Dr. Ewing announced the first full-time alumni secretary, Forest Kent Wyatt. Other academic changes included the addition of a graduate program in the summer of 1965. |
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| Dr. Lucas worked closely with the National Council of Accreditation for Teacher's Education and in 1973 Delta State College was reacredited by they Southern Association of Colleges. He also steered the way for a new name in 1974 when Delta State College became Delta State University. "He put in place programs that would make us stronger. He was hiring faculty that was qualified in different fields. He just provided better and stronger academic programs," reflected President Emeritus Kent Wyatt. In athletics, Dr. Lucas reestablished the women's basketball program and they rewarded him with a national championship near the end of his reign. Dr. Lucas' tenure also established two major gifts for the Delta State University Foundation: the Nellie Nugent Somerville Lecture Series on Government and Public Affairs and the West Carillon. Dr. Lucas returned to the University of Southern Mississippi to assume his duties as their new president in 1975. He remained there until 1996. |
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| Growing up on the Delta State campus, Dr. Wyatt seemed destined to assume a leadership role for the university. Serving under Dr. Ewing as Alumni Director and then as Assistant to the President for both Ewing and Lucas, Wyatt was the first and only alumnus of the school to be chosen as its leader. It was under Dr. Wyatt's presidency that the Lady Statesmen forged ahead and won their second and third consecutive national basketball championships. As a member of the Delta community, the English faculty initiated the Delta Area Writing Project to assist Delta schools. Dr. Wyatt became president during the 50th anniversary of Delta State, and would later deliver the first doctoral degree in 1984. Fundraising became an important issue for Delta State when the Alumni Foundation launched it's $5 million dollar campaign in 1996. It exceeded that goal in 1999 when it reached the $10 million mark. Dr. Wyatt announced his retirement in 1999 after 24 years of service. |
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| Dr. Potter arrived from George Mason University where he served as provost. He was named the sixth Delta State president on May 7, 1999. Potter has commented on the "daunting possibilities" he faced to honor the 24 year legacy he assumed. However, he recognized and embraced his responsibility to expand upon the past achievements of Delta State. Dr. Potter took an active and visible role, showing his support at sporting events, art functions, and academic gatherings. |
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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. |
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Charles W. Capps, Jr. Archives and Museum
662.846.4780
DSU Box 3137
Cleveland, Mississippi 38733
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