James M. Simmons is an educational administrator, musician

Musician

A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....

 and university president at Lamar University

Lamar University

Lamar University, often referred to as Lamar or LU, is a comprehensive coeducational public research university located in Beaumont, Texas, United States. Lamar confers bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees and is classified as a Doctoral Research University by the Carnegie Commission on Higher...

. James Simmons is the 10th president of Lamar serving the 11th term in that office.

Simmons is widely regarded as one of the most successful presidents in Lamar University's history. He has won numerous awards for his successful administration. In 2011 the Press Club of Southeast Texas named him Newsmaker of the Decade. He previously received the award as Newsmaker of the Year in 2009 and 1999; Simmons is the only person to ever win the award twice.

In February 2011 Simmons was honored by Phi Mu Alpha as a Signature Sinfonian. Simmons is a member of Phi Mu Alpha which is a music fraternity.

In April 2009 Simmons received the prestigious Chief Executive Leadership Award for region IV of the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). Region IV of CASE includes: Texas, New Mexico, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Mexico.

Education

Simmons graduated from Beaumont High School in the spring of 1960.
James Simmons started his college studies at Memphis State University in the fall of 1960. He graduated with a bachelors of science degree in music in 1964. He earned a Masters degree from the University of Houston

University of Houston

The University of Houston is a state research university, and is the flagship institution of the University of Houston System. Founded in 1927, it is Texas's third-largest university with nearly 40,000 students. Its campus spans 667 acres in southeast Houston, and was known as University of...

 and a doctorate from McNeese State University

McNeese State University

McNeese State University is a public university located in Lake Charles, Louisiana, in the United States. Founded in 1939 as a junior college, McNeese experienced growth due to economic activity in the region. It adopted its present name in 1970....

.

Music

Throughout his educational career, Simmons has attracted acclaim as a performer on clarinet, saxophone and piano and continues to maintain a performance schedule.

Lamar

Simmons’ career with Lamar began in 1970 when he joined the faculty as an instructor and director of the marching band. He rose through the ranks, later serving as director of bands and as chair of the Department of Music and Theatre before his appointment as dean. Dr. Simmons took office September 1, 1999 proceeding Dr. Cottle as the 10th president of Lamar University. Under Dr. Simmons leadership Lamar has advanced on many fronts. The Investing in the Future Campaign he started has raised $80 million for Lamar since it was announced in 2008.

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