Presidential History

Kent State's Powerful Leadership

Kent State flourished up until its centennial in 2010 and has thrived thereafter due to its dedicated students, loyal alumni and dedicated faculty and staff. However, key to a successful organization is leadership committed to success, which was evident via previous presidents:

1. John Edward McGilvrey (1911-1926); (b.1867-d.1945); (2-year degree in education; B.A. in philosophy; honorary doctorate in philosophy)
2. David Allen Anderson (1926-1928); (b.1874-d.?); (A.B., A.M., and Ph.D. in education and philosophy)
3. James Ozro Engleman (1928-1938); (b. 1873-d.1943); (2-year degree in education; B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. in education)
4. Karl Clayton Leebrick (1938-1943); (b. 1885-d.1982); (B.S., M.S., Ph.D. in law, history and political science)
5. George A. Bowman (1944-1963); (b.1893-d.1976); (A.B. and M.A. education and liberal arts)
6. Robert I. White (1963-1971); (b.1909-d.1990); (Ph.B., M.A., and Ph.D. in education)
7. Glenn A. Olds (1971-1977); (b.1921-d.2006); (A.B., M.A., and Ph.D. in philosophy; B.D.)
8. Brage Golding (1977-1982); (b.1920-); (B.A. and Ph.D. in chemical engineering)
9. Michael Schwartz (1982-1991); (b.1938-); (B.A. in psychology; M.A. in industrial relations; Ph.D. in sociology)
10. Carol A. Cartwright (1991-July 2006); (b.1941-); (B.A.; M.A. and Ph.D. in special education)
11. Lester Lefton (July 2006-June 2014); (b. 1946-); (B.A. and Ph.D. in psychology)
12. Beverly J. Warren (July 2014-June 2019); (Ed.D. in administration of higher education and Ph.D. in exercise physiology)
13. Todd A. Diacon (July 1, 2019-current); (B.A. in history; M.A. and Ph.D. in Latin American history)

    Raymond M. Clark (Acting President, 1943-1944); (b.1891-d.?)

Many of the Presidential Papers are stored at an off-site facility. Special Collections requires at least 24 hours notice for retrieval.