Skip to content
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
The Baptist Paper
Search
Close
The Baptist Paper
Search
Close
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds
  • Request a free trial
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds
  • Request a free trial

Burnett takes reins as William Carey University president

  • October 21, 2022
  • Mississippi's The Baptist Record
  • Latest News, Mississippi
(Photo courtesy of William Carey University)

Burnett takes reins as William Carey University president

Ben Burnett was recently inaugurated as the 10th president of William Carey University in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. He replaces Tommy King, who retired after nearly six decades of service to the school.

“I have to admit that envisioning myself as a college president has been the most difficult task in my 37-year career as an educator,” Burnett said during the Oct. 10 ceremony. “It’s more than evident to me that I would not be standing before you today unless God had blessed me with thousands of people who influenced me during my lifetime.”

Lifelong educator

A lifelong educator, Burnett served two terms as superintendent of the Lamar County School District in Purvis. He retired from public education in 2014 and became dean of the WCU School of Education.

He also served as WCU’s executive vice president from April 2020 until Aug. 16 of this year, his first official day as president of the university.

Many of the inaugural’s speakers hailed Burnett’s influence on their lives, among them Hattiesburg Mayor Toby Barker.

WCU trustee Odean Busby, chairman of the presidential search committee that brought Burnett forward, said, “After a seven-month search, we were very pleased to find our new president right here on campus. Dr. Burnett has an exciting vision for William Carey and a clear understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing higher education.”

‘Storms of testing will make you stronger’

Jimmy Stewart, senior pastor of First Church, Gulfport, delivered the inaugural address.

“As chairman of William Carey’s board of trustees this year, I’m thankful that you are the one God so clearly pointed us toward, to lead us forward through whatever storms may come, and through whatever celebrations we experience.

“Dr. Burnett, God has prepared you, positioned you, protected you. Storms of testing will make you stronger. Storms have always made us Carey-strong when we remain Christ-strong,” Stewart said.

A father’s influence

Brett Golson, WCU vice president for spiritual development and church relations, presented a special plaque of appreciation to the new president’s father, 96-year-old Marshall Burnett.

“On behalf of the Cooper School of Missions and Ministry Studies, we would like to recognize you for more than five decades of faithful service to our Lord as a campus minister, pastor, hospice chaplain, and World War II veteran.

“Thank you for the positive influence you’ve had on so many lives, especially your son, Dr. Ben Burnett,” Golson said. “We are also excited to announce that 52 years of your sermons will be archived in the Cooper School library and WCU’s main library where they will be available to ministry students for generations to come.”

In his inaugural address before an audience of 1,300 assembled in the theater of the Thomas Fine Arts Center on the WCU campus, Burnett emphasized the importance of community.

“I want our students to know the power of influence as they take their educational journey,” he said. “I encourage you to stop and say thank you to the people who have influenced you, but also pray that God will use you to influence others.”

For more information on William Carey University, click here. WCU is affiliated with the Mississippi Baptist Convention.


EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was originally posted by The Baptist Record, newsjournal of the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board.

Share with others:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Latest News

  • Study: Growing number of pastors losing confidence, considering leaving ministry
    Study: Growing number of pastors losing confidence, considering leaving ministry
    March 23, 2023/
    0 Comments
  • Seminaries partner to equip leaders, care for Ukrainians in crisis
    Seminaries partner to equip leaders, care for Ukrainians in crisis
    March 23, 2023/
    0 Comments
  • Longtime NOBTS registrar Paul Gregoire dies
    Longtime NOBTS registrar Paul Gregoire dies
    March 23, 2023/
    0 Comments

Sign up for the Highlights

Get all latest content delivered to your email a few times a month.
Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

Related Posts

brown wooden pew bench

Study: Growing number of pastors losing confidence, considering leaving ministry

Pastors are feeling increasingly dissatisfied with their jobs, and more than 40 percent have considered leaving the ministry in the past 12 months. That’s according

Seminaries partner to equip leaders, care for Ukrainians in crisis

Could theological education be part of the solution for trauma? Leadership at Ukrainian Baptist Theological Seminary and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary thinks so.  Sirens cut

Longtime NOBTS registrar Paul Gregoire dies

Paul Gregoire, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary registrar for 29 years, passed away March 21 after a brief battle with cancer. “Paul Gregoire was a

boy leaning on black wall

Endangered youth: When parents fail their children

Researchers today consider bad parenting one of the most important public health issues facing our society. Uninvolved, abusive, irresponsible, absent or immature parents are endangering

Want to receive news highlights throughout the week? Sign up here!

Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

About

  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us
  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us

Explore

  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos

Submissions

  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy
  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy

Subscribe

  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
The Baptist Paper
Address:
3310 Independence Dr.
Birmingham, AL 35209
Copyright © 2023 TAB Media Group
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ

Email:
news@thebaptistpaper.org

  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Archive
  • Your state news
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Persecuted Church
  • Submit your news
  • Photo Galleries
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Archive
  • Your state news
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Persecuted Church
  • Submit your news
  • Photo Galleries
  • Our Team
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Hosted Church
  • Donate
  • Contact us
  • Our Team
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Hosted Church
  • Donate
  • Contact us

Log Out?

Lost your password?

Log In

Lost your password?

Log in

Become a part of our community!
Forgot your password? Get help
Privacy/Terms of Use

Reset password

Recover your password
A password reset link will be e-mailed to you.
Privacy/Terms of Use
Back to
Login
×
Close Panel