Message from President Echols Regarding Hurricane Irma

Update (09:45 AM – Tuesday, September 12, 2017)

Due to the uncertainty concerning the restoration of power on the Mt. Vernon campus, classes will not resume until Monday, September 18. Offices will be closed through Wednesday, September 13. However, maintenance staff need to report to work or contact Ted Towns if unable to do so.


Update (11:45 AM – Friday, September 8, 2017)

Dear BPC Family,

In continuing to track the storm, the potential for us to receive stronger effects than originally forecast seems more likely. Currently, winds of 70 miles an hour in our area are possible. We are anticipating that power may be out for several days. We are prepared to service students who will remain on the campus. We have secured adequate water and food, but that will be the extent of what we can supply during the aftermath of the storm. We are currently in the process of requesting additional generators from the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, but at this time, we will only have power to portions of the student center which will ensure food service.

Many parents have decided to evacuate and for their students to go with them. Other parents, who are not planning evacuation, prefer to be together to deal with the uncertain conditions over the next several days. Where there is an opportunity for a family to be in a safe area, in most cases, it would probably be best for BPC students to be with their families. Currently, it appears that safe travel away from campus and from the approaching storm will be available through Sunday morning. We are not sure when it will be safe to return. Therefore, anticipating the logistics of returning to campus and the uncertain aftermath of the storm, we are now canceling classes for Monday through Wednesday (September 11-13). If conditions warrant, it is possible that classes will be canceled the entire week. We will likely make that determination by Sunday. Please continue to monitor our website for updates.

Steven F. Echols, Ph.D., D.Min
President, Brewton-Parker College


Update (4:38 PM – Thursday, September 7, 2017)

Dear BPC Family,

Below is a statement from our BPC emergency management team:

As part of our continuing efforts to plan for the safety and wellbeing of our students, we have remained in constant contact with our local Emergency Management Agency. While our county has not yet been declared under a State of Emergency by Governor Deal, please know that should that status change there is no anticipated evacuations in our county.  We have learned this is often merely to aid in funding and that only those counties east of I-95 have been under a mandatory evacuation.

In regards to whether you plan to stay or go home, please communicate with your parents or guardians and determine the best option for you.  Any students who are not in the projected areas of impact are certainly welcome to return home.  From our EMA office, should you decide to leave they encourage you to do so today as the roads are becoming increasingly congested. For those of you who live in a declared impact area, please plan to shelter in place on our campus.

If you are leaving – you MUST sign out with your RA so we can get a firm count of who is here.

If you are staying you should know the following:

Beginning Friday the cafeteria serving schedule:  Brunch 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. and Supper 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.  This will continue until classes resume.

  • To report maintenance issues – call 912-423-9600
  • For Security – call 912-253-9280or 912-539-8291
  • Should it become necessary to extend the cancellation of classes, we will notify everyone before 10 a.m.on Tuesday by email, campus alert system, and by posting updates on the bpc.edu website and social media sites.

Update (11:45 AM – Thursday, September 7, 2017)

We have been monitoring Hurricane Irma closely. While the brunt of the storm is expected to be far from the BPC campus, there is a possibility of occasional strong wind gusts in excess of sixty miles per hour beginning as early as Sunday evening and going through the day on Monday. We know that for various reasons, some students plan to go home for the weekend. We do not want these students, as well as commuting students, traveling to the campus in dangerous conditions. Therefore, we are canceling all classes at the Mt. Vernon campus on Monday and Tuesday (September 11-12). Classes at the Newnan campus will continue as scheduled.

Other than maintenance personnel, staff will not report to the campus on Monday. As of now, all staff will return to work on Tuesday. Faculty will return with resumption of classes on Wednesday.

Please know that our campus will be fully operational for our students who remain on campus. If we lose power, we have generators to ensure that food service will continue. Above all, BPC will take every precaution for sheltering students if high wind gusts occur. We will continue to monitor the situation and post updates as needed on the website.


Update (1:45 PM – Wednesday, September 6, 2017)

As mentioned in the earlier email, we are closely monitoring Hurricane Irma. At this time, it does not appear to be a threat to our area. If this changes, we will notify you. Even so, as far as we are inland, there would be minimal danger here regardless of the direction the storm make take. Please be assured your safety is our priority.  If needed, the Emergency Management Agency is recommending that we shelter in place as roads are already very congested. Contrary to rumors, we have no plans to evacuate the campus. We will update you if there is any change of our current plan.

Steven F. Echols, Ph.D., D.Min
President, Brewton-Parker College


Understandably, we have had many inquiries concerning BPC’s plan for any potential impact of Hurricane Irma. We are monitoring things carefully. Currently, there is no conclusion by the experts about which way the storm will go. However, the earliest potential landfall appears to be late Sunday. Even at that, at worst case, the storm would be at least another day from significantly impacting our area. At that time, the storm would likely be considerably weakened if it passed through our area. Nonetheless, if its path seems to be heading our way, we will likely ask students who are from areas that are farther from the storm impact to consider going home. We could do that as early as Friday morning. Others whose home areas would be more impacted than our area would be able to stay on campus where we will do everything possible to provide for the needs and safety of the students.

Let’s continue to be in prayer for the victims of Hurricane Harvey, and pray that Hurricane Irma will have minimal impact. Please check the website for the latest alerts.

In His Service,

Steven F. Echols, Ph.D., D.Min.

President, Brewton-Parker College

Joanna Phillips-Mock

Student Enrichment Director

Joanna Phillips-Mock is a proud third generation Baron, both as a student and a staff member.

Beginning her teaching career in Middle Georgia in 1995, Mrs. Mock worked with a state funded program that served some of the most disadvantaged special needs students within the local school districts. She ultimately moved into leadership positions within the organization, serving and training others in multiple initiatives. She enjoys working with students of all ages to recognize and to achieve their greatest potential.

Mrs. Mock holds a Bachelor’s degree from Brewton-Parker College, a Master's degree in Education with a concentration in Behavior Disorders, and an Education Specialist degree in Educational Administration from Georgia College and State University. She resides in Ailey, Georgia, with her husband Don, their son Tye Lewis, her mother Carol Joyce, and multiple fur babies. She enjoys traveling, gardening, camping, and attending concerts.

Candace Lilford

Profeessional Tutor

Candace Lilford graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Theatre Generalism in 2021 from Anderson University and with her master’s degree in English Literature in 2023 from the University of Alabama. She presently serves as Professional Tutor for the Student Enrichment Center while also teaching sections of ENG 101 and 102. 

As part of her two-year master's program, Ms. Lilford taught sections of ENG 101 and 102, while also serving as teaching assistant for British Literature Survey courses and volunteering in the university’s Writing Center. Ms Lilford has also presented papers at the Hudson Strode Conference and the South Eastern Christian and Literature Conference as well as working on various theatrical productions.

Born in North Carolina of South African descent, Ms. Lilford has lived in Uganda, Botswana, South Africa, and Trinidad before settling in Mount Vernon with her family in 2016, where she attended Brewton-Parker College as a dual enrollment student. She presently resides in Mount Vernon with her family and spends her free time watching old TV shows.

Linda Armstrong

Academic Advising and Career Specialist

Linda Armstrong earned an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice Technology from Southeastern Technical College and a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Walden University. Throughout her career, Linda has worked with diverse populations, including at-risk youth and families and youth in crisis because of mental health and other issues. Her empathetic nature has made her an effective advocate for those in need. In addition to her professional work, Linda is also is committed to volunteerism. She has dedicated countless hours as a youth mentor, and to teaching about her faith at various Christian organizations. She believes in the power of positivity and its ability to transform not only her life but also the lives of others.

"If you must look back, do so forgivingly. If you will look forward, do so prayerfully. But the wisest course would be to be present in the present gratefully." ~ Maya Angelou

Willie Ford

Academic Advising and Career Specialist

Greetings, Baron Nation!

It's truly a joy to be back in a place that has shaped me so profoundly. I'm Willie Ford, a proud 2022 graduate of historic Brewton-Parker College, holding a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a Minor in Education. Following my graduation, I embarked on a journey in education, teaching Special Education within the Vidalia City School District. In addition to my role as an educator, I had the privilege of serving as the Unit Director at the J.D. Rabun Boys and Girls Club. All the while, I was honored to pastor at the esteemed New Hope Baptist Church of Rhine, Georgia. With God's grace, I managed these responsibilities, and now, I'm thrilled and ready to contribute to the welfare of our students, aiming to inspire through service.

Dusty Arnold

Mental Health Counselor

Dusty Arnold  is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst as well as a BPC alumnus. He has years of experience working with a variety of mental health issues including anxiety, grief, and challenges related to Autism. He specializes in behavior-related interventions that can help college students build on their strengths to set achievable goals while also learning how to deal with the thoughts and feelings that sometimes get in the way. He incorporates Biblical values and evidence-based treatments to meet students wherever they happen to be on their journey to spiritual and psychological health. 

Carl Anthony "Tony" Wardlaw

Assistant Student Enrichment Director & Student Success Coach

Carl Anthony “Tony” Wardlaw – For over 25 years, Dr. Wardlaw has worked in leadership, counseling, and pastoring. Beginning with working in middle management for a manufacturing company in Douglas, GA, Dr. Wardlaw has also worked in the academic, nonprofit, public, and private sectors. Additionally, he served over 7 years in the United States Military as a Military Intelligence Officer before resigning his commission as a Captain in the Army.

Currently serving as the Assistant Director of the Student Enrichment Center, Student Success Coach, and Adjunct Faculty at Brewton-Parker College in Mount Vernon, GA, he also serves as the Pastor of The Green Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Dublin, GA.

As a member of the renowned International Gospel Singing Group, The Wardlaw Brothers, Dr. Wardlaw has traveled all over the nation and abroad ministering and singing the Gospel of Christ Jesus. Dr. Wardlaw has served as a consultant for various agencies and has worked as a Fatherhood Coordinator and G.E.D. instructor within the Technical College System of Georgia and participates in local and national civic and philanthropic work.

Dr. Wardlaw holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in International Business from the University of Georgia, two master's degrees from Troy University (Master of Science in Clinical Counseling and Psychology and Master of Education in Counseling), and a Doctorate in Education from Argosy University in Organizational Leadership. Dr. Wardlaw is a Lifetime Silver Member of The NAACP and a member of The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. He is happily married to the former Mrs. Stephanie Scott. They have 3 Children; Chambria, Marc, and Carleigh.

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