2005 STATESMEN FOOTBALL 76 this Opponents is dsu di- Divider Page vider This is Delta State... Dr. John Hilpert, President ........ 77 Dr. Brad Teague, A.D................... 78 Athletic Administration .............. 78 Athletic Training ........................... 79 DSU Sports Hall of Fame............ 80 Dorgan Performance Center .... 81 This is DSU.................................... 82 5 0 4 0 3 0 2 0 1 0 G
Dr. John Hilpert, President “Where Champions Play” When Dr. <strong>and</strong> Mrs. John Hilpert were presented as <strong>the</strong> new president <strong>and</strong> first lady of Delta State University in <strong>the</strong> summer of 2003, he said <strong>to</strong> those present at <strong>the</strong> announcement, “You won our hearts.” His words conveyed <strong>the</strong> message that <strong>the</strong> warmth of <strong>the</strong> Delta State community combines with its determination <strong>to</strong> make meaningful contributions <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> Mississippi Delta in ways that are both unique <strong>and</strong> appealing. Since he arrived <strong>and</strong> <strong>to</strong>ok office on September 1, 2003, his appreciation for <strong>the</strong> mission of <strong>the</strong> university has deepened. He has worked with <strong>the</strong> faculty <strong>and</strong> staff <strong>to</strong> set an agenda that will accomplish an ambitious <strong>and</strong> straightforward goal: Delta State University will be <strong>the</strong> best regional university in America. Dr. Hilpert served as president of Nor<strong>the</strong>rn State University in Aberdeen, <strong>South</strong> Dakota, from 1997 until he assumed <strong>the</strong> presidency of Delta State. During his tenure at NSU, <strong>the</strong> university streng<strong>the</strong>ned its marketing efforts <strong>and</strong> completed a successful multi-million dollar campaign. Integrating technology in<strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> university’s academic programs was ano<strong>the</strong>r major goal during <strong>the</strong> Hilpert years. Nor<strong>the</strong>rn received legislative designation as <strong>the</strong> Center for Statewide E-learning in 2001, <strong>and</strong> <strong>to</strong>day <strong>the</strong> university offers daily classes <strong>to</strong> more than one-third of <strong>the</strong> state’s school districts from ten studios on <strong>the</strong> campus. Ano<strong>the</strong>r of Nor<strong>the</strong>rn’s specialized programs is <strong>the</strong> Center of Excellence in International Business. Even as it provides academic offerings, this unique Center works with <strong>the</strong> Governor’s Office of Economic Development <strong>to</strong> link <strong>South</strong> Dakota businesses with overseas opportunities <strong>and</strong> <strong>to</strong> bring foreign investments <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> state. Like Delta State, Nor<strong>the</strong>rn is known for its competitive athletic programs in Division II of <strong>the</strong> National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). For seven years prior <strong>to</strong> his arrival at Nor<strong>the</strong>rn, Dr. Hilpert served <strong>the</strong> University of <strong>South</strong> Dakota as Vice President for University Relations, <strong>and</strong> for an interim term as Acting President. He has also held senior administrative posts at Thiel College in Pennsylvania <strong>and</strong> at Finl<strong>and</strong>ia University (formerly Suomi College) in Michigan, during <strong>the</strong> 26 years of his career in higher education. External relations <strong>and</strong> fund raising have been among <strong>the</strong> focus areas throughout Dr. Hilpert’s career. He has written proposals competing successfully for millions of dollars in grant funds <strong>and</strong> has surpassed <strong>the</strong> goal in each capital campaign he has led. Dr. Hilpert earned his doc<strong>to</strong>rate – Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration – from <strong>the</strong> Center for <strong>the</strong> Study of Higher Education at <strong>the</strong> University of Michigan. His research in<strong>to</strong> fac<strong>to</strong>rs leading <strong>to</strong> enrollment success was grant-sponsored. During his doc<strong>to</strong>ral studies, he was honored with <strong>the</strong> prestigious Brubacher Award for scholarship by <strong>the</strong> faculty of <strong>the</strong> University of Michigan. He earned both a Master of Divinity degree from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis <strong>and</strong> a Bachelor of Arts degree from Concordia Senior College in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He also holds a two-year diploma from St. Paul’s College in Missouri. Throughout his career, Dr. Hilpert has served various organizations on boards, task forces, <strong>and</strong> committees. He was for seven years a member of <strong>the</strong> <strong>South</strong> Dakota Workforce Development Council, a state policy group appointed by <strong>the</strong> governor. As a member of <strong>the</strong> American Association of State Colleges <strong>and</strong> Universities, he has served as an appointee <strong>to</strong> both <strong>the</strong> Commission for <strong>the</strong> Rural/Regional Agenda <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> Task Force on Teacher Education, as well as being selected for <strong>the</strong> organization’s Council of State Representatives for both <strong>South</strong> Dakota <strong>and</strong> Mississippi. Dr. Hilpert has served as a governing board member for two Chambers of Commerce, <strong>and</strong> has been co-chair of a hospital financing task force. He has testified before several state legislative committees <strong>and</strong> a select committee of <strong>the</strong> U.S. House of Representatives. Several of his articles have appeared in scholarly or o<strong>the</strong>r publications. In recognition of his years of service <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> state, Governor Michael Rounds designated July 3, 2003 as Dr. John Hilpert Day in <strong>South</strong> Dakota. Dr. Hilpert <strong>and</strong> his wife, Pat, have been married for 32 years. Both grew up in Missouri, he in Cape Girardeau <strong>and</strong> she in St. Louis. They have three sons, Joshua, 26, Zachary, 23, <strong>and</strong> Adam, 22, as well as a two-year-old gr<strong>and</strong>daughter, Julia. Pat spent 27 years as a Registered Nurse, serving in different settings as a nurse administra<strong>to</strong>r <strong>and</strong> educa<strong>to</strong>r. She is also a published pho<strong>to</strong>grapher who has exhibited her creative works in a variety of galleries <strong>and</strong> won several awards, including one co-sponsored by <strong>the</strong> Smithsonian Institution <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> SD Department of Tourism. The Hilperts enjoy antique collecting <strong>and</strong> outdoor recreational activities. G 1 0 2 0 3 0 4 0 5 0 77
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