The Presidents of Indiana State University

William Albert Jones, 1869-1879 

Indiana State University’s first president, President William Albert Jones, was passionate about teaching. After graduating from Williston Academy (now Williston Northampton School in Easthampton, Massachusetts), he spent seven years as a school superintendent. On November 21, 1869, only a month and a half before Indiana State Normal School opened its doors, Jones was elected president. 

While president, Jones taught education courses and personally hired all faculty members. Eventually affected by financial problems and an illness, Jones resigned in 1879. An educational administrator with rare talent and insight, Jones was an inspiring teacher who laid the foundations of Indiana State’s teacher education curriculum. 

George Pliny Brown, 1879-1885

In 1870, President George Pliny Brown was hired as the first mathematics instructor at Indiana State Normal School while practicing law in Indianapolis. A graduate from the Grand River Institute (now Grand River Academy in Austinburg, Ohio), he served as a president of the Indiana State Teachers Association before assuming the presidency at Indiana State Normal School in 1879. Brown expanded the course of study and, because of stronger publicity efforts, enrollment doubled under his leadership. Brown built greater harmony between high schools in Indiana and Indiana State Normal School. 

William Wood Parsons, 1885-1921

President William Wood Parsons was a man of firsts. He was a student on the first day of classes at Indiana State Normal School, was in its first graduating class, and was the first to return to his alma mater as an instructor, teaching grammar and composition before being elected vice president. In 1885, he was appointed President, and he served for 36 years while earning the affectionate title “Daddy” Parsons.  

In 1888, Indiana State Normal School suffered a fire, and Parsons worked to lead restoration of the campus. Under his long tenure, the school established new baccalaureate programs and new academic buildings, and Indiana State Normal School became more recognized for its demanding entrance and graduation requirements, and for its college-level classes. 

Linnaeus Neal Hines, 1921-1933 

A graduate of Indiana University and Cornell University, President Linnaeus Neal Hines was a school superintendent before serving as State Superintendent of Public Instruction in Indiana. In 1921, Hines was appointed President of Indiana State Normal School, and he oversaw the school and the Eastern Division (now Ball State University). Under his leadership, Hines instituted a new physical education building, new dormitories, a laboratory school for training teachers, and graduate degree programs. Enrollment doubled, and Hines was instrumental in changing the institute’s name from Indiana State Normal School to Indiana State Teachers College in 1929. 

Ralph Noble Tirey, 1933-1953 

President Ralph Noble Tirey excelled in education at a young age. Already earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Indiana State at the age of 18, he taught in a one-room schoolhouse before becoming a school principal. By the time of his appointment as President of Indiana State Teachers College in 1933, Tirey had more than 30 years of experience in Indiana’s public schools. Under his leadership, Tirey broadened the teacher education and school administration programs. He instituted the Laboratory School, Parsons Hall, the Fine Arts and Commerce building, the Student Union Building (now Tirey Hall), the Mathematics & Communication building (now Dreiser Hall), and the Administration building (now Gillum Hall). The campus was lively with a campus quad, and the men’s basketball team won the NAIB National Basketball Championship in Kansas City. 

Raleigh Warren Holmstedt, 1953-1965

President Raleigh Warren Holmstedt received his bachelor’s degree, with honors, from Hastings College in Nebraska. Later, he earned his master’s and PhD degrees from Columbia University Teachers College. His teaching career began as an instructor and coach at Nebraska School of Agriculture, and then he joined the faculty at Indiana University while serving in World War II. He assumed the presidency at Indiana State Teachers College in 1953. Under his leadership, there was a surge in campus construction with nine new residence halls and nine buildings. New facilities included a science building and a physical education building, and the Condit House was acquired.  

In 1961, Indiana State Teachers College became Indiana State College, and the College of Arts and Science and the Schools of Education, Nursing, and Business were established. The first doctoral degrees were awarded in a joint program with Indiana University. Enrollment subsequently experienced a tremendous increase, and Indiana State earned recognition as a comprehensive university. In 1965, during the final year of Holmstedt’s presidency, Indiana State College officially became Indiana State University. 

Alan Carson Rankin, 1965-1975 

President Alan Carson Rankin was born to be a college president. His grandfather was a college president; his father was a college professor; and his mother was a schoolteacher. Rankin earned bachelor’s degrees in political science and education from Kansas State College-Fort Hays, a master’s degree in political science, and a Doctor of Social Science degree from Syracuse University. After World War II, Rankin taught at Miami University at Oxford, Ohio; taught and served as director of student personnel at Cornell University; and had several positions at the University of Pittsburgh before he was appointed president of Indiana State University in 1965.  

Rankin’s tenure spanned the greatest period of growth in the University’s history. New doctoral programs were established. Cunningham Memorial Library was constructed; Memorial Stadium was acquired; and the Hulman Center was completed. Other successes included the Contemporary Music Festival, a satellite site of the Indiana University School of Medicine (known as the Terre Haute Center for Medical Education), Indiana Special Olympics, and Hoosier Boys and Girls State Summer Conventions. Rankin continued to serve the University after his retirement, and he was the first executive director of Leadership Terre Haute. 

Richard George Landini, 1975-1992 

President Richard G. Landini came to Indiana State after holding teaching and administrative positions at the University of Florida, Arizona State University, and the University of Montana. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in literature from the University of Miami and his PhD in American literature from the University of Florida.  

During his tenure as president of Indiana State, he saw the development of 20 new undergraduate programs and other graduate degree programs. Donaghy Day, a campus-wide clean-up day, was introduced. During this time, men’s athletic teams joined the Missouri Valley Conference, in which the 1979 men’s basketball team was runner-up in the NCAA Division I Basketball Championship Tournament. Other changes resulted in the completion of the School of Technology Building, Oakley Plaza, a recreation and athletics arena, Root Hall, University Pavilion, and the Hulman Memorial Student Union and Dede Plaza.  

John William Moore, 1992-2000 

President John William Moore had years of experience in higher education before becoming president of Indiana State University in 1992. After earning degrees from Rutgers University, Indiana University, and Pennsylvania State University, Moore served as president of California State University-Stanislaus, and as vice president at the University of Vermont and Old Dominion University. He also taught at Monmouth College, Rutgers University, and Pennsylvania State University. During his tenure at Indiana State, emphasis was given to enhancing the quality of teaching and learning. Reading and math centers were established, as well as the Students’ Academic Services Center, other educational centers, and the President’s Scholars program.  

Stronger partnerships were formed between local schools, and the transformation of the ISU Foundation encouraged more endowment. Indiana State introduced a new mascot, Sycamore Sam, who became a favorite with students and future Sycamores. Moore also was passionate about expanding opportunities for women and underrepresented groups with the establishment of the President’s Commission for Ethnic Diversity. Following his retirement in 2000, Moore continued to teach in the Bayh College of Education, the Scott College of Business, and other classes on campus. 

Lloyd W. Benjamin III, 2000-2008 

Prior to his presidency at Indiana State University, President Lloyd W. Benjamin III served as vice president for academic affairs at Valdosta State University. He earned his bachelor’s degree in art history from Emory University, and he earned his PhD in art history from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He served as dean of several colleges at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Benjamin was integral in enhancing Indiana State’s strategic plan as the University fulfilled a purpose in the State of Indiana’s post-secondary environment. 

Daniel J. Bradley, 2008-2018

President Daniel J. Bradley came to Indiana State University after serving as president of Fairmont State University. A veteran of the U.S. Army, Bradley holds a PhD in physical chemistry from Michigan State University, a master’s degree in petroleum engineering from the University of Tulsa, and a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering from Montana College of Mineral Science and Technology. He previously held positions at Montana Tech of the University of Montana, including as vice chancellor for academic affairs and research, dean of engineering, and head of the petroleum engineering department.  

During his tenure as president at Indiana State, Bradley oversaw a period of unprecedented growth and progress in student success as evidenced by increases in enrollment, retention, graduation rates, and degree production. With the ‘Pathway to Success’ strategic plan, there was an increase in healthcare programs, engineering programs, experiential learning, fundraising, the construction of the Health and Human Services Building, and contributions to the redevelopment of downtown Terre Haute. 

Deborah J. Curtis, 2018 – Present 

President Deborah J. Curtis began serving as the 12th and current president of Indiana State University in 2018, making her the first female president in the University’s history. She earned a bachelor’s degree in music education from MacMurray College, a master’s degree in music education from the University of Illinois, and a PhD in curriculum and instruction from Indiana State. Previously, she was provost and chief learning officer at the University of Central Missouri, dean of the College of Education at Illinois State University, interim dean and director of the Cecilia J. Lauby Teacher Education Center and Clinical Experiences and Certification Processes at Illinois State, and a professor at Illinois State.  

During her tenure at Indiana State, Curtis has advocated for the University with key stakeholders at the Indiana Statehouse. She was instrumental in the $100 million ‘Be So Bold’ campaign. Campus buildings saw major renovations, including Dreiser Hall and the Hulman Center, along with plans for a $66 million renovation to the Technology Annex building in the Bailey College of Engineering and Technology. During her presidency, Indiana State was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Curtis strove to keep the current workforce when other colleges and universities experienced layoffs. Curtis has been recognized as one of Indiana’s Most Influential Business Leaders by the Indianapolis Business Journal.