The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia appointed Dr. Arthur M. Gignilliat, Sr., as first President of Dalton Junior College at the September meeting, 1965. He assumed the full-time presidency on July 1, 1966. After presiding at groundbreaking ceremonies in November of 1966, Dr. Gignilliat supervised construction of the first campus buildings and hired the faculty. Ten months later, in September, 1967, he opened the doors of the college to 524 students.

Under his direction, the College received accreditation by the Dalton State College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools 
(1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097: Telephone number 404-679-4501) 
to award the Associate and Bachelor's degrees. He served as president until 1970, when he retired from the University System of Georgia. Dr. Gignilliat died in 1993.

Derrell C. Roberts

In 1970, Derrell C. Roberts became the second president of the three-year-old institution. Throughout his tenure at Dalton College, Dr. Roberts supported broad educational opportunities for all citizens of North Georgia.

Under his leadership, student enrollment tripled, reaching almost 3,000 in 1993. The size of the faculty doubled from 47 to 93 members. The college library's 131,000 volumes and other holdings placed the institution at the top of the list of two-year college libraries in the University System of Georgia.

Students, faculty, staff, alumni and area citizens paid tribute to Dr. Roberts when he retired June 30, 1994, after serving 24 years at Dalton College and 40 years in education.

At the time of Dr. Roberts' retirement, Dr. Wayne Bell, a colleague for 22 years, described those years by stating,

Dr. Roberts' presidency was enlivened by a gentle wit and scholarly intellect, energized by a personal concern for the welfare of each member of the college community, and guided by an unerring commitment to the highest standards of professional integrity and academic quality.

In 1997, the Dalton College Library was named for Dr. Roberts.

Dr. Roberts passed away in 2002.

For questions or to receive information about Dalton State College please fill out this form. University System of Georgia 213 N. College Dr.  Dalton, GA 30720 Department phone: 706.272.4436 Department fax: 706.272.4588 Toll-free phone: 800.829.4436 Alternate phone: N/A Email contact: webmaster@em.daltonstate.edu Last modified: January 19 2006 12:55:34. An Affirmative Action Program Equal Opportunity Institution