Bethel President Perry Moulds Eagerly Faces the Challenges

McKENZIE (August 13) — Bethel University has a new president who is facing the challenges of the local, private four-year university. He said challenges exist for many universities nationwide, especially private institutions. And he is ready to work through those challenges. Dr. Perry Moulds assumed the office of president on July 1 after he was selected from a field of three finalists.

Moulds comes to Bethel from Belmont University in Nashville. Moulds has worked at Ole Miss, Vanderbilt, Belmont, and now Bethel.

Moulds addressed the Rotary Club of McKenzie during its weekly meeting on August 13.

Moulds was a Rotarian in middle Tennessee and has pledged to be active in the local Rotary Club.

Moulds, a Mississippi native, said McKenzie is a good fit for him and he is eager to work in and with the local community.

Bethel University moved to McKenzie from McLemoresville after the Civil War on land donated by the McKenzie family. Through the years, it has successfully faced many challenges. Today’s challenges are many, including the hangover from students entering college who endured COVID while in K-12, a decreasing national view of the value of higher education, a significant delay in the rollout of the FAFSA - federal student aid application that many institutions utilize to determine what financial assistance (grants and loans) is needed by the student. The new FAFSA application was significantly delayed, causing many students to miss opportunities for financial assistance. Also, universities face a demographic cliff, in which fewer children were born approximately 18 years earlier.

Moulds said Bethel provides a loving and caring environment where students find faculty and staff members who love and care for them. With approximately 1000 students on campus, students learn in a Christian environment. The faculty and staff work to ensure students develop good character and leadership skills.

Another 1,000 students are high school students enrolled in dual enrollment courses.

That creates a pipeline of future full-time students, said Moulds. The university also provides an associate’s degree, allowing students to participate in the Tennessee Promise scholarship program.

The new 1,000-seat (approximately) chapel will open in November, said Dr. Moulds. It is adjacent to the Vera Low Center on campus.

In closing, Moulds said he is eager to work with the community and work to build relationships while assuring the longevity of the local university that has called McKenzie home since 1872.