Donald W. Zacharias

Donald W. Zacharias (September 28, 1935- March 3, 2013)[1][2] was the 15th President of Mississippi State University from 1985-1997. He died of complications of multiple sclerosis on March 3, 2013, at 77 years of age.[3] Previously he served as the 6th president of Western Kentucky University from 1979 until 1985.[4]

Mississippi State University

Zacharias' 12 years leading the university is the second-longest tenure at Mississippi's flagship land-grant institution's 130-year history, ranking only behind Stephen D. Lee's 19-year stint as the first president of the university.[5] Zacharias retired following the Fall 1997 semester at the age of 62 due to his being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.[6][7] During his tenure enrollment rose to Mississippi's highest at almost 16,000. African-American enrollment more than doubled to 2,200, making up 15 percent of the student body, the highest percentage among SEC schools.[8] Upon his retirement from MSU, Zacharias said: "I saw things in Mississippi State University that others might not have seen. I felt that I had made the right decision to be at this university because I liked both what it stood for and its overall character. I liked its mission, and I liked the students and alumni. I saw the potential."[9] The Donald Zacharias Graduate Teaching Assistant of the Year Award is named for him[10] and The annual Donald W. Zacharias Distinguished Staff Awards, given to professional or support staff employees at Mississippi State, were established in his honor in 2013.[11] The Zacharias Housing Village, made up of 4 residence halls, was named in his honor in 2008.[12]

Western Kentucky University

Zacharias became president at WKU following the retirement of Dero Downing in 1979.[13] Zacharias Hall, a three story residence hall built in 1992 on the WKU campus that houses 206 upperclassmen and -women, is named after Dr Zacharias.[14]

Early career

Zacharias began his career in higher education in 1963 at Indiana University where he was a faculty member in communication until 1969. He then went to work in the University of Texas communication department, attaining full professor rank before entering administration.[15] As an administrator with the University of Texas System, he held positions as executive assistant to the chancellor of the 14-campus statewide system and as assistant to the president of the Austin campus.[16]

Personal

Zacharias was born in Salem, Indiana.[17] He and his wife, Tommie Kline Zacharias, were married 53 years.[18] They had three children Eric, Leslie and Alan; and three grandchildren. He also had a sister, Mary Catherine Zacharias Collier, of Yucaipa, California.[19]

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.publicbackgroundchecks.com/SearchResponse.aspx?view=NM&fn=DONALD&mn=W&ln=ZACHARIAS&city=&state=&zip=&dob=19350928&age= Public Background Checks Search Results.
  2. ↑ Date information sourced from Library of Congress Authorities data, via corresponding WorldCat Identities linked authority file (LAF) .
  3. ↑ http://www.msstate.edu/president/timeline/ Mississippi State University Gallery of the Presidents
  4. ↑ WKU History & Traditions
  5. ↑ http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/clarionledger/obituary.aspx?pid=163496538#fbLoggedOut
  6. ↑ http://www.bmc.edu/NewsDetail.asp?id=300 Blue Mountain College family remembers late MSU leader
  7. ↑ http://www.msstate.edu/web/alumnus/summer.97/18retire.htm Zacharias announces plans to retire by end of year
  8. ↑ http://obituaries.kjonline.com/obituaries/mainetoday-kennebecjournal/obituary.aspx?n=donald-w-zacharias&pid=163454489#fbLoggedOut Donald W. Zacharias Obituary
  9. ↑ http://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/statements-speeches?ID=3524e877-84b0-44c1-9d93-5e71e9aec1e9 Remembering Dr. Donald Zacharias Congressional Record
  10. ↑ http://www.grad.msstate.edu/pdf/GTA_Nomination_Form_2013.pdf 2013 Donald Zacharias Graduate Teaching Assistant of the Year Award
  11. ↑ http://www.msstate.edu/web/media/detail.php?id=6090 MSU Zacharias Awards honor distinguished staff members
  12. ↑ http://www.msstate.edu/web/media/detail.php?id=4332 MSU to dedicate Zacharias Village, celebrate Sanderson Center
  13. ↑ http://www.wku.edu/wkuhistory/index.php WKU History & Traditions
  14. ↑ WKU Housing and Residence Life - Zacharias Hall
  15. ↑ http://www.bgdailynews.com/news/local/former-wku-president-zacharias-dead-at/article_0006b4d0-84f2-11e2-afa8-0019bb2963f4.html
  16. ↑ http://www.wku.edu/zacharias/ Dr. Donald Zacharias, WKU's sixth president, was a respected mentor.
  17. ↑ http://www.bgdailynews.com/news/local/former-wku-president-zacharias-dead-at/article_0006b4d0-84f2-11e2-afa8-0019bb2963f4.html Former WKU president Zacharias dead at 77
  18. ↑ http://www.wku.edu/zacharias/ Dr. Donald Zacharias, WKU's sixth president, was a respected mentor.
  19. ↑ http://www.bgdailynews.com/news/local/former-wku-president-zacharias-dead-at/article_0006b4d0-84f2-11e2-afa8-0019bb2963f4.html Former WKU president Zacharias dead at 77

External links

Academic offices
Preceded by
James Douglas McComas		 President of Mississippi State University
1985-1997 		Succeeded by
Malcolm Portera
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