WCU names Dr. Wes Dykes associate VP of recruitment

William Carey University announces the promotion of Dr. Wes Dykes to associate vice president of recruitment. As he assumes this new role, he will also remain dean of the Winters School of Music, a position he has held since 2018.

“Dr. Dykes has been a great recruiter since he stepped on campus more than a decade ago,” said WCU President Dr. Ben Burnett.

“He started the Spirit of Carey marching band from literally nothing. It has 105 members now and it’s still growing. Dr. Dykes and his team have doubled enrollment at the Winters School of Music to more than 260 students in just a few years. This history of success in recruiting can now help the whole university as he shares his expertise with other departments.”

Dykes joined the Carey faculty in 2012 as coordinator of the instrumental program, which includes major performing groups and ensembles. His first success at WCU was growing the instrumental program from 18 students to 140 students in three years. As dean of the Winters School, he has spread that success to all music programs.

Building on his passion to reach students for Christ in his new role as associate vice president of recruitment, Dykes said he wants to help William Carey recruiters interact with as many prospective students as possible.

“With Carey’s commitment to keeping college affordable, we must do all we can to keep administrative costs low. Dr. Dykes’s promotion is one of several personnel changes involving fantastic leaders who are already on campus, making it unnecessary to hire more people,” Burnett said.

Dykes is originally from Pensacola, Fla. He holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of Southern Mississippi, a master’s degree in music education/conducting from the University of South Carolina, and a doctorate in musical arts/conducting from the University of Southern Mississippi.

He has taught and served in schools and churches for more than 34 years – each time spurring growth. Dykes is a member of the National Association for Music Education, National Band Association, and Mississippi Bandmasters Association. He is also worship pastor at Hardy Street Baptist Church in Hattiesburg.

Dr. Dykes: “My goal is to attract as many students as we can to William Carey, help them learn their craft, teach them to know and grow in the Lord – then go out and change their world.