Presidential History

Kent State’s Powerful Leadership

Kent State has thrived due to its dedicated students, loyal alumni and dedicated faculty and staff. However, key to a successful organization is leadership committed to success, which is evident through the university’s current and past presidents: 

1. John Edward McGilvrey (1911-1926);  (two-year degree in education; B.A. in philosophy; honorary doctorate in philosophy)
2. David Allen Anderson (1926-1928); (A.B., A.M., and Ph.D. in education and philosophy)
3. James Ozro Engleman (1928-1938); (two-year degree in education; B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. in education)
4. Karl Clayton Leebrick (1938-1943); (B.S., M.S., Ph.D. in law, history and political science)
   • Raymond M. Clark (served as Acting President from 1943-1944); (B.S., M.A., in education and Ph.D. in psychology)
5. George A. Bowman (1944-1963); (AB and M.A. education and liberal arts)
6. Robert I. White (1963-1971); (Ph.B., M.A., and Ph.D. in education)
7. Glenn A. Olds (1971-1977);  (AB, M.A., and Ph.D. in philosophy; B.D.)
8. Brage Golding (1977-1982); (B.A. and Ph.D. in chemical engineering)
9. Michael Schwartz (1982-1991); (B.A. in psychology; M.A. in industrial relations; Ph.D. in sociology)
10. Carol A. Cartwright (1991-2006); (B.A.; M.A. and Ph.D. in special education)
11. Lester A. Lefton (2006-2014); (B.A. and Ph.D. in psychology)
12. Beverly Warren (July 1, 2014-July 1, 2019); (B.S.; M.S.; Ed.D. in administration of higher education; Ph.D. in exercise physiology)
13. Todd Diacon (July 1, 2019-present); (B.A. in history; M.A. and Ph.D. in Latin American history)

The university’s Presidential Papers may be accessed through Kent State’s Special Collections and Archives.