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ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ’s Mary Morgan Moore Department of Music recently accepted a donation of educational materials from President Emeritus James M. Simmons. The large number of books and other materials, collected over a career in higher education, were distributed in the department for educational purposes and referencing.

“For example, some of the historic children's piano methods will be used by faculty for comparison to modern teaching method while instructing music education students,” said Brian Shook, chair of the Mary Morgan Moore Department of Music.

The collection ranges broadly in the spectrum of music, including conducting texts, music histories, music biographies, theory, counterpoint, and composition, but also includes books on Texas history, art, art theory, photography, finance and business.

An informed musician is a better musician, Shook said. “Reading about a variety of topics creates a more informed mind that can apply itself to greater musical and artistic feats,” he said. “Likewise, the student who learns about finance and business will have a better understanding of how to apply and market the discipline. The Texas history books help inform the students of where they come from and thus give them a more grounded view of their cultural heritage as musicians.”

“We value highly Dr. Simmons' regard and continued contributions and interest in the music department,” Shook said. “ It is a special privilege to have his support.”   

Simmons spearheaded development efforts to provide funding for scholarship programs, academic offerings, and construction projects. During Simmons' years in office, many new programs were added at Lamar including five new bachelor's degrees, three new master's degrees, and three doctoral degrees including its first Ph.D. program. The university's sixth and seventh academic chairs were established as well as new named departments.

Throughout his career, Simmons has attracted acclaim as a performer on the clarinet, saxophone, and piano. He has performed with a who's who of headliners including Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, and The Temptations, to name a few.

In 2009, Simmons received the Chief Executive Leadership Award for Region IV of the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education. In 2011, Simmons was named a Signature Sinfonian by Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, the world’s oldest and largest secret national fraternal society in music, and was honored by the Press Club of Southeast Texas as Newsmaker of the Decade.

A 1960 graduate of Beaumont High School, he studied at Memphis State University, graduating 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. Throughout his educational career, he attracted acclaim as a performer on clarinet, saxophone and piano.

He joined the LU faculty in 1970 as instructor and director of the marching band. He previously taught and served as orchestra and band director in the Beaumont school district and as assistant director of bands and woodwind instructor at Memphis State University Rising through the ranks, he served as director of bands, chair of the music department, and dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communication in 1992. In 1996, he began serving concurrently as interim executive director of University Advancement.

In 1999, Simmons became the 14^th president of ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ. Simmons spearheaded development efforts to provide funding for scholarship programs, academic offerings, and construction projects. During Simmons' years in office, many new programs were added at Lamar including five new bachelor's degrees, three new master's degrees, and three doctoral degrees including its first Ph.D. program. The university's sixth and seventh academic chairs were established as well as new named departments. The university experienced unprecedented enrollment growth despite the regional impacts of two major hurricanes, expanded its online offerings, and advanced in many other areas. He resigned the presidency in 2013, returning to the faculty as a music instructor.

Widely regarded as one of the most successful presidents in LU’s history, Simmons was named President Emeritus by the Texas State University System Board of Regents, and the recently renovated music building was named the James M. “Jimmy” Simmons Music Building. The City of Beaumont recognized his service by renaming University Drive to Jimmy Simmons Boulevard.