[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Page 14891]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 14891]]

                      RETIREMENT OF DR. KENT WYATT

  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I want to pay tribute to Dr. Kent Wyatt who 
is


retiring today after serving as the President of Delta State University 
for the past 24 years. During his tenure at Delta State, Dr. Wyatt has 
repeatedly been recognized as one of America's premier higher education 
administrators.
  Kent was born in Berea, Kentucky and later moved to Cleveland, 
Mississippi. He earned an undergraduate degree in education from Delta 
State and a Masters degree in education from the University of Southern 
Mississippi. Kent topped off his formal education at the University of 
Mississippi where he received a Doctorate in Education.
  After completing his doctoral studies at Ole Miss, Kent commenced his 
teaching career back home in Cleveland, Mississippi where he served as 
a mathematics teacher, a coach, and then as a principal for the School 
District. Kent soon followed in his father's footsteps, Forest E. 
Wyatt, who served as a teacher and the head football coach at Delta 
State University.
  In 1964, Kent's alma mater, Delta State University, hired him as its 
Alumni Secretary. But, he quickly shifted over to the university's 
management. Recognizing his leadership and vision, Kent was named Delta 
State's fifth President in 1975 after serving six years as assistant to 
the president.
  During the last quarter century, Kent has amassed an impressive 
record. He continuously emulated ``quality without compromise.'' As a 
result of his stewardship, Delta State's faculty has grown from 202 to 
328, with all academic programs receiving national accreditation, and 
18 new facilities were built. Since 1975, Delta State's enrollment has 
grown by 32%. Equally astounding, Kent increased the university's 
financial assets by a factor of ten since 1975. A most impressive 
record for Dr. Wyatt and Delta State University.
  Kent's peers in Mississippi and across the nation have repeatedly 
drawn on his academic leadership. For example, Kent recently served on 
the Search Committee for the Executive Director of the National 
Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and on the NCAA's President's 
Commission.
  Running a large university would challenge many, but Kent also 
managed to serve those off campus too. Kent also served his community 
for over three decades. He was the President of the Cleveland Lions 
Club as well as the President of the Chamber of Commerce. He also 
served on the boards of the United Way, Mississippi Economic Council, 
Grenada Banking System, Union Planters Bank of Northwest Mississippi, 
and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Kent currently serves as 
a Deacon at the First Baptist Church.
  Kent's wife Janice, their children Tara and Elizabeth, as well as 
their grandchildren Kent Wyatt Mounger and Collins Hartfield Mounger, 
have good reasons to be proud of his many accomplishments.
  As Congress addresses the many challenges facing higher education in 
America today, my colleagues and I can benefit from the many 
contributions Kent has made in Cleveland, Mississippi. Not only has he 
been an inspiration to the more than 15,000 college students who passed 
through the halls of Delta State during his tenure, Kent has helped to 
mold the future leaders of this great country.
  Kent and Janice have chosen to stay in Bolivar County. While he will 
be missed at Delta State, the town of Cleveland, the County of Bolivar, 
the State of Mississippi, and Mississippi's Congressional delegation 
are thankful that Kent, a true Delta State Statesman, has chosen to 
remain in his hometown to serve as a continuing inspiration for public 
service at its best.
  Mr. President, I want to express to Kent my heartfelt appreciation 
for everything he has done for his community, our state, and the 
nation. I am hopeful that Kent and Janice will enjoy the next important 
phase of their lives.

                          ____________________