Hall was the college's first permanent building, occupied in 1873. The Long family led the college until Dr. Paul M. McCain became president of the college in 1952.
It was renamed Lyon College in 1994, after the Lyon family of Arkansas. Frank Lyon Sr. served on the board of trustees from 1946 to 1988, including as chairman from 1977 to 1987. Frank Lyon Jr. served on the board for more than 30 years, until his death in 2015. He served as chair of the board for four years. Frank Lyon Jr. and Jane Lyon gave the largest gift in the college's history of $10 million.
W. Joseph King became president in July 2017.
King succeeded Donald V. Weatherman, who served as president from 2009 until he retired in 2017. Melissa Taverner was named provost in February 2018. After King's resignation in 2021, Taverner succeeded him as president.
== Academics ==
Lyon College is classified among "Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus". In 2019, the college was listed at #50 on the "Top Performers of Social Mobility" published …
