Â鶹¾«Æ·

Ernie Deats (BS '62)

During their annual gala in May 2010, the College of the Mainland Foundation honored Ernie Deats as one of the 2010 Mainland heroes for his philanthropy and service to Dickinson and surrounding coastal communities. Deats graduated from Sam Houston State in 1962 with a double major in Physical Education and English. He was president of his sophomore class and was a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity for which he also served as president. He coached in the Hitchcock and Refugio Independent School Districts before returning to Dickinson, where he has been an active community volunteer. He previously served on the College of the Mainland Board of Trustees and the Â鶹¾«Æ· Alumni Association Board of Directors. He is also a Life Member of the Alumni Association. Deats is also involved in the Dickinson Historical Society, Dickinson ISD Educational Foundation Board, Dickinson ISD Alumni Association, and First United Methodist Church of Dickinson. He was the founder of the Dickinson ISD Athletic Hall of Honor. He has authored three books: “Dickinson 1860 – 1960—History, Hard Work, Honor,” “A Kid’s Tale from the Prairie,” and “The Highway 75 Club.” Deats and his wife, Kathy, reside on their ranch, where they farm and raise Charolais cattle.