Mike Garrett, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mississippi Power Company, announced today that Robert C. Khayat, Chancellor of the University of Mississippi, has been named to Mississippi Power’s Board of Directors.

Dr. Khayat is the 15th Chancellor of the University of Mississippi. As the university’s Chief Executive Officer, he is responsible for the operation and management of a four-campus comprehensive university. On its four campuses, the university enrolls approximately 14,000 students.

Since his appointment as Chancellor in 1995, enrollment at the university has increased, compensation for faculty and staff has become more competitive, and private support has grown. Under his leadership, programs such as the McDonnell-Barksdale Honors College, the Trent Lott Leadership Institute and the Jackson Heart Study have been outstanding additions to the life of the university.

“Mississippi Power is indeed fortunate to have Dr. Khayat as a member of its Board of Directors,” said Garrett. “His career demonstrates what can be accomplished with vision and dedication and through his oversight of the Ole Miss community, he is directly involved in building the future of our state. We look forward to his contribution to our efforts.”

Dr. Khayat chairs the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. He is President of the Southeastern Conference and is a trustee of the Joseph Bancroft Educational Trust and the Croft Institute for International Studies. A former professional football player, he is also a recipient of the National Football Foundation Distinguished American Award and the NFL Lifetime Achievement Award.

“Dr. Khayat has consistently demonstrated his willingness to assume positions of leadership and to work with the business community in Mississippi and help it confront the critical issues it faces,” Garrett said.

Dr. Khayat earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of Mississippi as well as a law degree. He also holds an advanced law degree from Yale University and served as a professor at the University of Mississippi School of Law for many years.

Mississippi Power Company, a subsidiary of Southern Company, serves more than 192,000 customers in 23 southeastern Mississippi counties.