Delta State University history

The seal of the college was designed in 1928 as a project of an art class.

The teachers college added a pilot training program in 1941 in anticipation of World War II. Over 200 students joined the armed forces when the war commenced, but the school experienced an enrollment boom after the war ended.

In 1955, the name Delta State Teachers College was changed to Delta State College.

In 1963, it achieved accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

A graduate program was established in 1965 and the college received its current name of Delta State University.

Given graduate program and research development, in 1974 the state legislature authorized the college to be named as the current Delta State University.

On July 1, 1987, the administrative staff of the Delta State University Alumni Association and the DSU Foundation were combined under the leadership of Director Hugh Ellis Walker, who previously served as Alumni Secretary.

Consequently, the first Executive Governor of Delta State, Olorogun Felix Ovuodoroye Ibru established by proclamation the Delta State University, Abraka on 30th April, 1992 as an autonomous University.

Upon the retirement of Hugh Ellis Walker, Doctor Don A. Skelton was named to the position of Executive Director, effective July 1, 1993.

In 1995 the edict establishing the Delta State University was amended with the establishment of a third campus at Oleh, thereby creating campuses across the three senatorial districts of Delta State in then administration of group Captain Ibrahim Kefas as Governor of Delta State.

After the departure of Skelton in 2003, D. Keith Fulcher was appointed Executive Director.

In 2005, Delta State assisted evacuees from Hurricane Katrina by opening Hugh White Hall as temporary housing.

In 2018 the role of Special Assistant to the President for Donor Relations was created for Keith.