Lee Royce to Retire from Mississippi College

Former Anderson College President and Current Mississippi College President Lee Royce says he plans to retire in May of 2018.

Lee Royce said in a statement that he announced his plans to trustees Monday, later sending a message to faculty, staff and students.

Royce has led Mississippi College, a 5,200-student Baptist institution since 2002. He left Anderson College from 2002.

The outgoing president says his achievements include increasing enrollment from 3,200 students, recruiting international students and boosting Mississippi College's endowment from $36 million to $81 million. The school also moved its athletic program to NCAA Division II.

Trustees say they will search nationally for a new president, aiming to hire a new leader by fall.

Royce's retirement had been expected. He says he and his wife Rhoda intend to retire to a location near their son in Virginia.