3/22/2013 - Jackson, Miss.

The Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning honored Dr. John Hilpert for years of service to Delta State University at their meeting held yesterday in Jackson. Named president of Delta State in 2003, Dr. Hilpert will retire next month.

The Board presented a certificate noting his new status as President Emeritus, along with a commemorative plate featuring photographs taken during his presidency. The items were presented as a small token of deep gratitude for his service, his dedication and the incredible difference he has made to Delta State and its students.

On the Wednesday prior, Dr. Hilpert was also recognized in both the House and Senate chambers with the passage of Senate Concurrent Resolution 590, commending 10 years of distinguished service. Senator Buck Clarke, primary author of the resolution, said Hilpert had been a leader for the region. Lt. Governor Tate Reeves likewise said Hilpert’s leadership had helped to transform the Delta region.

John M. Hilpert was named president of Delta State University in 2003 after six successful years as president of Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota. During more than 30 years in higher education administration, he has also served as executive vice president and acting president of the University of South Dakota and as a vice president at Thiel College in Pennsylvania and executive assistant to the president at Suomi College (now Finlandia University) in Michigan.

Hilpert set the tone for his current presidency by asking at his inauguration that everyone on campus work toward creating the Best Regional University in America. Each day of the past 10 years, he has worked toward this goal and substantial progress has been made. Delta State has met enrollment and fund raising goals. Budgets are sound the university enjoys a strong relationship with the community and region. Each year the campus community selects and celebrates a theme with special programs – examples include the Year of Health and Wellness, the Year of Delta Heritage and the Year of Green. Notably, Delta State won a best practices award for its efforts in energy conservation.

Since 2003, he has served as board president for the Delta Health Alliance was elected president in 2008 of the Mississippi Association of Colleges and Universities. He also serves as chair of the Commission on Colleges Board of Directors (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools), the regional accrediting body for more than 800 colleges and universities.

Hilpert’s degrees are a Ph.D. from the Center for the Study of Higher Education at the University of Michigan, an M.Div. from Concordia Seminary in Missouri, and a B.A. from Concordia Senior College in Indiana. He also holds a two-year diploma from St. Paul’s College in Missouri.

John Hilpert and his wife Pat have three adult sons, Joshua, Zachary, and Adam, and two granddaughters, Julia and Abby. Pat retired from a 27-year career as a registered nurse in 1998.

Photo credit: Meg Annison, House of Representatives
Hilpert Receives Resolution: House members congratulate Dr. and Mrs. John Hilpert on his retirement as president of Delta State University. Included in the photo are (front row, l-r) Speaker Pro Tempore Greg Snowden, Representative Rufus Straughter, Representative Tommy Taylor, Representative Linda Coleman, Pat Hilpert, Dr. John Hilpert, Dr. Michelle Roberts, Vice President for University Relations, Delta State University; Representative Clara Burnett, Representative Sara R. Thomas; (back row, l-r) Representative Bobby Howell, House Universities and Colleges Chair Nolan Mettetal.

Photo credit: Clotee Lewis, Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning
Hilpert’s Photos 002: Board of Trustees President Bob Owens (left) presents a certificate noting his new status as President Emeritus to Pat Hilpert (center) and Dr. John Hilpert.

Photo credit: Clotee Lewis, Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning
Hilpert’s Photos 007: Commissioner of Higher Education Dr. Hank M. Bounds (left) presents a commemorative plate to Dr. John Hilpert (right) in recognition of his outstanding service as president of Delta State University, while Pat Hilpert looks on. The commemorative plate includes photographs from throughout Dr. Hilpert’s presidency and was presented as a small token of deep gratitude for his service, his dedication and the incredible difference he has made to Delta State and its students.

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The Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning governs the public universities in Mississippi, including Alcorn State University; Delta State University; Jackson State University; Mississippi State University including the Mississippi State University Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine; Mississippi University for Women; Mississippi Valley State University; the University of Mississippi including the University of Mississippi Medical Center; and the University of Southern Mississippi.

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