Dr. John Deloney, a native of Ozark, Alabama, led Livingston State College through a period of probably the greatest physical growth in the school’s history.

Dr. Deloney attended Auburn University until World War II interrupted his education. In 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the European Theatre of Operation. He was the recipient of the Bronze Star for his service to his country. In 1946 he returned to Auburn where he received the B. S. Degree in 1947 and the M. S. Degree in 1948. He earned his Ed. D. from Columbia University in 1954. Dr. Deloney became a teacher in Auburn, first at the high school level, and later as a professor of education on the faculty of Auburn University. In 1963 he became president of UWA, then Livingston State College.

Under Dr. Deloney’s leadership, great strides were made in recruitment and retention, and enrollment reached an all time high. In a direct reflection of the growth in enrollment, the faculty doubled in size during Dr. Deloney’s tenure.

It is important to note that despite the growth in numbers students, faculty and staff at UWA began to make a concerted effort to maintain the community atmosphere that Livingston was and is known for. A yearbook from the time states, " We have grown from a small college to a complete university," it goes on to say "huge monster universities are more concerned with computer repairmen than students. Our school is still ours."

In 1967 the school’s name was changed to Livingston University to reflect the expanded curriculum. Programs in Early Childhood Education and Special Education were added and a graduate program in Guidance and Counseling was established. The School of Graduate Studies increased its curriculum to offer the Master’s of Science in Continuing Education degree and the Educational Specialist degree. In addition, the University became a charter member of the Marine Environment Sciences Consortium at Dauphin Island thus expanding opportunities in the study of marine biology.

Expanded student body, expanded curriculum and expanded faculty led to significant improvements in the University’s organizational structure under Dr.

Deloney’s leadership. When the institution was granted university status, Dr. Deloney organized the University into four separate colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business, the College of Education, and the Graduate School. In addition to organizational growth, Dr. Deloney had the foresight to expand the campus physical plant to 540 acres.

One of UWA’s most memorable moments occurred near the end of Dr. Deloney’s tenure when the Livingston University Tigers battled to become the 1971 NAIA National Football Champions and the Gulf South Conference Co-Champions.

Upon his retirement from UWA in 1972, Dr. Deloney went to the Alabama State Department of Education where he served as Director of Career Education until his retirement in 1982.