MOUNT VERNON – Brewton-Parker College (BPC) is excited to announce Karl Hay as the new Business Division Chair. Hay served as Pastor of First Baptist Church of Mt. Vernon for the last 13 years. While serving as Pastor, he has been an adjunct instructor at BPC teaching the Fundamentals of Computer Applications course. From 2006 to 2009 Hay served on staff at BPC as the Chief Information Officer over the college’s technology department. He holds more than 40 years of experience in the IT field, working with the Florida Department of Revenue as a Systems Programmer/Analyst, and Computer Information Systems instructor and program coordinator at Southeastern Technical College in Vidalia.
As Business Division Chair, Hay will be responsible for coordinating semester course schedules for all business-related degrees and assuring the placement of qualified faculty to teach courses for those degrees.
Hay has a long history with the college, graduating from BPC with a CIS degree in 1993. Between 2010 and 2013 he served on the college’s Board of Trustees. After being a Pastor for the last 13 years, he realized how important it is to be sensitive to ways in which people can be served and ministered to. In coming back to BPC, he wants to take that realization and not only serve as a professor and division chair, but also in a pastoral type role and minister to other faculty, staff, and students.
Hay is originally from Tallahassee, Florida but has lived in Mt. Vernon for 30 years. He has been married to Laura Turner Hay, who serves at BPC as the Executive Assistant to the President, for 37 years. Karl and Laura have two children who are married – Curtis (wife, Katie) and Rebecca (husband, Shawn), and four grandchildren, ages 14, 12, 10, and 8.
Hay stated, “I am ready and willing to be used in my new role at BPC in whatever way the Lord desires to use me and however He can be honored the most. I’m looking forward to a new opportunity to build more of a relationship with students. As an adjunct professor, I only got to spend approximately 3 hours a week on campus, or only interact with students online. I’m excited about having more time to interact with students and invest in their lives personally.”
President of BPC, Dr.Steve Echols remarked, “We are delighted to have Karl Hay join our business department faculty. He is a person of many talents. Karl has extensive experience as an adjunct teacher, but also as a chief information officer. His passion for helping students has made him a favorite among our students, and his administrative skills make him well-suited to be the business department chair. As a pastor for many years, Karl will also be preaching and connecting BPC with local churches’ ministries.”
Brewton-Parker College is excited to have Karl Hay serving in this role and we look forward to seeing his impact on our students.
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 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 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
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 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 – 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.
