Southeast Missouri State University was founded in 1873 as the Third District Normal School. Here is a list of the men and one woman who have served as presidents of the institution.
Lucius H. Cheney, 1873-1876
Alfred Kirk, 1876-1877
Charles Henry Dutcher, 1877-1880
Richard Chapman Norton, 1880-1893
Willard Duncan Vandiver, 1893-1897
John Sephus McGhee, 1897-1899
Washington Strother Dearmont, 1899-1921
Joseph A. Serena, 1921-1933
Walter Winfield Parker, 1933-1956
Mark F. Scully, 1956-1975
Robert E. Leestamper, 1975-1979
Bill W. Stacy, 1979-1989
Robert W. Foster, 1989-1990
Kala M. Stroup, 1990-1995
Bill Atchley, 1995-1996
Dale Nitzschke, 1996-1999
Ken Dobbins, 1999-present
SOURCE: Missourian archives
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