Delta State University was established in 1924 when Governor Henry L. Whitfield signed legislation creating Delta State Teachers College, following years of determined advocacy from community leaders, educators, and legislators. The doors officially opened in 1925, as Cleveland, Mississippi, became home to the new institution through the community’s financial commitment, land contributions, and unyielding spirit—a spirit that still defines the campus today.
In 2025, Delta State University launches a celebration of its centennial—a historic opportunity to honor its origins as a teacher’s college, recognize its growth into a thriving and dynamic institution, and look ahead to a future of academic excellence, innovation, and community impact in the heart of the Mississippi Delta.
Centennial Events
In 1925, Delta State Teachers College opened its doors in Cleveland, Mississippi. This year, we celebrate 100 years since that historic moment and look forward to Delta State’s second century.
Explore Delta State’s History
Find resources where you can learn more about the events, milestones, moments and people that made Delta State’s first hundred years.
