Billy Beal, beginning his 38th year on Meridian Community College's administrative staff, has been promoted to the position of Associate Vice President for Learning Resources, according to MCC President Dr. Scott Elliott. Beal's promotion was ratified by the MCC Board of Trustees during its monthly meeting in August.

 

"Billy is richly deserving of this recognition," Elliott said. "He has served MCC long and well. He is one of our state's most respected learning resources officers and has been a great asset to MCC during his tenure. As just one example, Billy is without question one of the most knowledgeable professionals I've worked with in terms of learning resources accreditation standards."

 

Elliott announced Beal's promotion during the opening session of MCC's fall semester faculty in-service program, presenting him with some new business cards. Beal received a rousing reception from the faculty when the announcement was made.

 

"The sustained and enthusiastic applause by Billy's colleagues at MCC was reflective of their appreciation for his dedication to the institution," Elliott assessed. "It was a heart-warming moment."

 

Beal served as the dean of the College's Learning Resources from 1992 until his associate vice president appointment.

 

A native of Meridian, Beal holds an A.B. from Loyola University of Chicago and an M.S. in library science from Simmons College in Boston. After his academic studies at Simmons, he returned to Meridian where he became circulation librarian at MCC. During his tenure at the College, he has served as Self Study Title III director, acquisitions librarian, ACE/HEMI coordinator, computer-assisted instruction supervisor and head librarian, as well as chairman of the Student Appeals Committee.

 

He has been the recipient of the John Johnson, Lamplighter and Employee of the Month awards as well as installed into the Talon Club, which salutes MCC employees who have served the College for 30-plus years.

 

Off campus, Beal is a trustee for the Mississippi Heritage Trust, is president of the Lauderdale County Mental Health Association and is a commissioner on the Historic Meridian Commission.  Additionally, Beal is a member of the American Library Association, the Mississippi Library Association. Beal also serves as organist at St. Joseph Catholic Church.

 

A founding member for the Meridian Council for the Arts, Beal was a former board member of the Meridian Symphony Orchestra. He was also a board member of the Meridian Historic Foundation, which became the Grand Opera House, now known as the Mississippi State University Riley Center.

 

Beal credits current and former colleagues for support, and a former mentor especially. "I owe a debt to the late Dr. Clarence Roberts, vice president of instruction at MCC, from whom I learned the intricacies and inner workings of higher education."