James M. Simmons is an educational administrator, musician and former university president at University.
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 Bachelor of Science degree in music in 1964.
He earned a master"s degree from the University of Houston and a doctorate from McNeese State University.
Career
James Simmons served as the 10th president of He resigned the presidency effective July 1, 2013 to return to the faculty as a music instructor. To honor his service to, The Texas State University System Board of Regents named him President Emeritus and approved the naming of the "Jimmy" Simmons Building. The City of Beaumont formally recognized his service to and the community by changing the name of University Drive to Jimmy Simmons Boulevard.
Simmons is widely regarded as one of the most successful presidents in University"s history.
In 2011 the Press Club of Southeast Texas named him Newsmaker of the Decade. In February 2011 Simmons was named a Signature Sinfonian by Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, a music fraternity for men with chapters at college campuses across the country.
Region IV of Computer-Aided Software Engineering includes: Texas, New Mexico, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Mexico. Simmons took the reins of the Beaumont Independent School District Board of Trustees as board president in 2014 at the request of Texas Commissioner, Michael Williams.
The former BISD board of trustees was suspended by the Texas Agency and replaced by a select group of managers until new leadership could be identified.
Simmons’ career with 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 and Theatre before his appointment as dean Doctor Simmons took office September 1, 1999 as the 10th president of University.
Under Doctor Simmons leadership, has advanced on many fronts.
One example is the Investing in the Future Campaign started in 2006 which ultimately raised $132 million for at the time of Simmons"s retirement. The campaign started with an initial goal of $50 million.
Due to campaign success, the goal was increased two times. The first increase was $100 million in 2008.
The goal was again increased to $125 million in January 2012 after raising $95 million with more than a year remaining in the campaign.