Mississippi College Family Mourns Passing of Longtime MC Leader Dr. Don Phillips

Dr. Don Phillips

Mississippi College lost a longtime leader, philanthropist, and dear friend with the recent passing of MC alumnus Don Phillips.

For six decades, the MC family was blessed by his splendid leadership, loyalty and generosity to his alma mater. His dedicated service led him to work as an MC trustee and board chairman. He provided outstanding leadership on the university’s Foundation Board and brought business expertise to key assignments on nine other committees.

Legions of admirers will attend his funeral 1 p.m. Tuesday at First Baptist Church Jackson. Phillips died at his Brandon home on February 2 at the age of 84. Visitation is set for one hour prior to the service.

President Lee Royce salutes Dr. Phillips who spent nearly a lifetime seeking to benefit others.

“We treasure the extraordinary service that Dr. Don Phillips provides as an influential leader for Mississippi College,” Royce said. “Don has worked tirelessly for many years to raise money to build student scholarships, strengthen the university’s endowment, grow academic programs and construct campus facilities.”

In 2014, the Magnolia State recognized the significance of Phillips’ philanthropic efforts when the Mississippi chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals named him the Volunteer Fundraiser of the Year. “He is certainly an excellent choice for this prestigious statewide honor,” Dr. Royce said at the time.

Royce will be among the Mississippians speaking at his funeral service.

Phillips chaired the steering committee for MC’s Growing the Vision campaign. It began in 2006 as a $65 million drive primarily for facilities, programs and scholarships. The five-year campaign ended up raising $87.5 million. He played a leading role in launching MC’s Fall athletics dinner more than a decade ago. Attracting notable speakers in the sports world, the annual events raised more than $1.5 million. The dinner is now named in his honor.

Following a major lead gift from Don Phillips and his wife, Sue, the Phillips House serves as the name of the residence for the MC president and a popular spot to host receptions. M Club gatherings for supporters of Blue & Gold athletics programs are held in the Phillips board room at Alumni Hall.

Phillips rose from a humble background in his beloved Mississippi. Born in Grenada County, he graduated from Gore Springs High School in a class of just 14 members before enrolling at Holmes Community College. At Holmes, Don played on championship basketball and baseball teams and was selected Mr. Holmes Community College. He played basketball at MC as an accounting major.

Following his MC graduation in 1954, Phillips taught and coached at the high school and community college levels before going into business. He spent 29 years with International Minerals and Chemical Corp., where he served as president of the company’s industry group. Don also led its animal health products company, Pittman-Moore in Northbrook, Illinois. He retired in 1988 as company President and CEO.

His strong record of service to Mississippi College matched his dedication to Holmes Community College.

He was president of the Holmes Community College Foundation and chaired a steering committee overseeing an $11 million capital campaign. His leadership stretches to the Mynelle Gardens Botanical Society in Jackson, the R.E.A.L. Christian Foundation, and Community Place Nursing Foundation. He served as a deacon at First Baptist Church Jackson. Mississippi College presented Phillips with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree in 1984. He holds an MBA from the University of Mississippi.

Phillips loved going the extra mile to promote the nation’s second oldest Baptist college at its main campus in Clinton and the MC School of Law in Jackson.

“At Mississippi College, I saw that regardless of what you do or where you are in your own life, you can make a difference for the good of others,” Phillips said in a 2015 story in the “Beacon,” the university’s alumni magazine.  He remained proud of the institution’s vast improvements in facilities and academic programs over the years. But he was even more impressed with MC for keeping its firm commitment to bedrock Christian principles.

At the 191-year-old Baptist university, leaders showered Phillips with praise.

“Don Phillips was the epitome of a grateful alumnus. He gave of his time, his expertise and his resources to Mississippi College,” said Vice President for Academic Affairs Ron Howard. His passion for MC seemed unlimited. “No one in recent memory has left more of an indelible mark upon his alma mater than Don Phillips.”

Survivors include his wife, Sue, daughter, Donna Keeling (Mike) of Brandon, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his daughter, Debra Barnett of Wilmette, Illinois.

Memorials may be made to Mississippi College, Box 4005, Clinton, Mississippi 39058.