Dr. Ben Burnett

Dr. Ben Burnett began his tenure as the 10th President of William Carey University on August 16, 2022. Before his presidency, he served as Executive Vice-President and Dean of Education, where he led the School of Education to an enrollment of 1,800 students. He is also a Professor of Education, teaching in the Educational Leadership Department.

Dr. Burnett's career in education began in 1986, following his graduation from Oak Grove High School in 1982. He spent 28 years in Mississippi's K-12 public school system, starting as an assistant high school band director and later leading the Oak Grove High School band, significantly increasing its size. His leadership roles included President of the Mississippi Bandmasters, SEMBDA, and state chair of the National Band Association. He was inducted into the Southeast Mississippi Band Director’s Association Hall of Fame in 2013.

In 1997, Dr. Burnett became Principal of Oak Grove Middle School, earning recognition as Mississippi’s Middle School Principal of the Year and serving as President of the Mississippi Association of Middle Level Education. In 2007, he was elected Superintendent of the Lamar County School District, where he led the district to an "A" rating and secured numerous state and federal grants. He was named Lamar Times Person of the Year in 2012.

Dr. Burnett holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Music Education and a Ph.D. in Educational Administration, all from the University of Southern Mississippi. He has been married to Denice Burnett for 32 years, and they have one son, David Lane Burnett, a graduate of William Carey University.

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Music Education, University of Southern Mississippi (USM)
• Master's Degree in Music Education, University of Southern Mississippi (USM)
• Ph.D. in Educational Administration, University of Southern Mississippi (USM)