Chase Sims Wins Byrd Memorial Preaching Award
If your first name is Chase and you're a Mississippi College student, there's a good chance you will win the Byrd Memorial Preaching Award.
An MC communication major and Christian Studies minor, Chase Sims is the 2010 recipient of the award at the Christian university. It makes it four years in a row that an MC student named Chase has won the prestigious honor.
"It's an honor and privilege," Chase Sims said Tuesday. He joined hundreds of MC classmates and school leaders, including President Lee Royce, when the award was announced at chapel services at First Baptist Church, Clinton. "I'm thrilled."
A Laurel resident, Sims attended Jones County Junior College in Ellisville for three semesters before enrolling at MC. He is the successor to MC senior Chase Porter of Picayune, who received the honor last spring. In fact, Chase Porter, was the Byrd award winner for a record three consecutive years at Mississippi College.
Members of the Byrd family and school leaders like Wayne VanHorn, dean of Christian Studies and the Arts, were on hand for the awards presentation with the MC senior. Sims also preached at chapel services. In his case, there should be many more sermons for the Mississippian to preach down the road.
The 22-year-old from Jones County plans to become a youth minister at a church in Texas after his MC graduation in May.
Among those joining the award ceremonies were Brandon residents Harrell Byrd and his wife, Charlotte. Both have a deep love for Mississippi College that spans several decades. Harrell Byrd is a 1946 MC alumnus and his wife is a 1978 graduate of the Baptist-affiliated school.
Faculty members say Chase Sims was an excellent choice.
Sims "is in my non-verbal class and negotiation class and he's an outstanding student," said communication professor Merle Ziegler. "He will make a good preacher."
Added Ziegler: "I'm very proud he was considered and won the award."
For more information on the Byrd Memorial Preaching Award, contact Lynda Street at the MC School of Christian Studies at 601.925.3218 or street@mc.edu.
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