Coward retiring

Bettye Coward

Dr. Bettye Rogers Coward, the first female president of Blue Mountain College, has announced her retirement, effective June 30. Since Coward’s arrival at the historically female institution in 2001, BMC has become fully co-educational and seen its enrollment nearly double.

When she retires in 2012, she will bring to close a 45-year career in higher education that included 30 years at Mississippi College, one year at the University of Mississippi and three years at St. Mary’s Dominican College in New Orleans.

During Coward’s tenure, BMC has not only increased enrollment but also seen its donor base expand significantly. The institution has undergone an extensive campus renovation and beautification program, increased faculty and staff, added a graduate program, grown its business degree program, offered on-line courses, and expanded its intercollegiate athletic program from two to seven sports.