MOBILE, ALA. University of Mobile awarded the honorary Doctor of Humane Letters to CEO and philanthropist Joyce Fisher of Odessa and retired music pastor Curtis Brewer, formerly of Odessa, during the first night of “The Retreat,” a two-day conference in Mobile for more than 300 church worship leaders.
The conference was presented April 19-20 by the Fisher-Brewer Worship Institute and PRISM Music, a leading publisher of Christian church music. The Alabama School of the Arts at University of Mobile hosted the event, with university choir, orchestra and soloists giving the first public performance of newly published music.
UM President Timothy L. Smith presented the degrees April 19 at Dauphin Way Baptist Church in Mobile “on behalf of your service to the Lord through the lives of students at University of Mobile and to worship leaders throughout the nation.”
The university’s professional Fisher-Brewer Recording Studio was made possible through the support of Dr. Fisher and the vision of Dr. Brewer. The pair founded the Fisher-Brewer Worship Institute that provides resources for worship pastors across the nation and, in association with PRISM Music, presents The Retreat annual conference.
Earlier in the day, Fisher and Brewer visited the studio that is a key component in the Alabama School of the Arts and Roger Breland Center for Performing Arts. The studio provides university students with opportunities to record and produce music in the same type of professional environment they will encounter in their music careers.
“This recording studio provides a venue for students to practice and record Christian music that is an expression of the gospel in sharing Christ literally to the ends of the earth,” Smith said.
The Doctor of Humane Letters is conferred upon scholars, inventors, artists, entrepreneurs and other leaders who have earned national or global reputations.
“Indeed, both of you embrace this description well as artists and entrepreneurs that have gained a national reputation through the ministry of music to serve others and further the kingdom of Christ,” Smith said.
Fisher is president and CEO of Fisher Construction in Odessa, which has 110 employees and operations throughout the oil field business in West Texas and New Mexico.
She is an active member of First Baptist Church of Odessa, where she serves on various committees. She is involved in her community and currently is associated with Make-A-Wish, Safe Place, Crisis Center, and the Odessa Mission Center, among others.
She was married to the late Mike Fisher.
Brewer began his ministry at the age of 16, served several churches, and retired in 2016 after 34 years in music ministry at First Baptist Church of Odessa. Under his leadership, the choir and orchestra had several national releases with PRISM Music in Nashville.
He has led worship for major gatherings throughout the Southern Baptist Convention, including pastors’ and evangelism conferences in Texas, New Mexico, Mississippi and North Carolina.
He is married to Marilyn Myrick Brewer and they live in McComb, Mississippi.
For more information about University of Mobile, visit www.umobile.edu
