Trent Lott: “I want to pay tribute to Dr. Kent Wyatt who is retiring today after serving as the President of Delta State University…”

“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.”