MC Graduate Mike Simoneaux Named Brewton-Parker College President

Mike Simoneaux

A longtime Georgia Baptist educator and Mississippi College graduate, Mike Simoneaux is the new leader at Brewton-Parker College.

In late July, the Baptist school’s board of trustees unanimously selected Simoneaux to be president after serving as interim president since March 2011.

Simoneaux worked as acting president and vice president for advancement at Truett-McConnell College before leading the Brewton-Parker administration on the Mount Vernon, Ga. campus.

He’s a 1965 MC graduate with a bachelor of music education degree. The new Brewton-Parker president received a master’s in church music in 1967 and doctorate in music education in 1969, both from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

Located mid-may between Macon and Savannah, Brewton-Parker College is the only accredited four-year Christian college in south Georgia. The institution is located three hours from Atlanta.

Simoneaux took over as Brewton-Parker’s interim leader earlier this year during some difficult times at the college.

“I am so thankful to hear that Dr. Simoneaux will be our president now,” said education division chair Susan White. “Our campus has been through some tough times; however, with God’s help, we have weathered the storm.”

In a college news release, Simoneaux said, “We believe that the college’s brightest days are ahead of us, as we strive to honor Jesus Christ in everything we do.”

The new Brewton-Parker College leader joins other Mississippi College graduates serving as college or university presidents.

The list includes J. Randall O’Brien, a McComb native who serves as president of Carson-Newman College in Tennessee. Among others: Dr. Dan Jones is the chancellor at the University of Mississippi. The former vice chancellor for health affairs at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jones is also a former Mississippi College trustee. Fred Slabach, who earned a bachelor’s degree from MC in 1979, began his duties as president of 3,376-student Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth in January.

The addition of Mike Simoneaux to the list of MC presidents in higher education leadership posts delighted Ron Howard, vice president for academic affairs. “We like to think that the tradition of faith and learning at MC is good preparation of collegiate leadership,” says Howard, who also serves as a political science and government professor at Baptist-affiliated Mississippi College.

Retired MC administrator Doc Quick of Clinton says Simoneaux brings excellent leadership skills to Brewton-Parker College.

“He’s a real fine guy,” Quick says. “He’s smart.”

Former Brewton-Parker student body president Josh McPhatter is thrilled with the selection of the school’s new president. Dr. Simoneaux, he said, is “student-friendly, a humble servant-leader and right for the job.”