MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2004 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representative Weathersby, Brown, Whittington, Akins, Coleman (65th)

House Resolution 106

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING DR. VERNON CLYDE MUSE FOR HIS COMMENDABLE WORKS UPON BEING NAMED OUTSTANDING COLLEGE PRESIDENT.

     WHEREAS, Dr. Vernon Clyde Muse, President of Hinds Community College, was honored by the All-American Football Foundation at its 2003 Banquet of Champions with the Outstanding College President Award; and

     WHEREAS, Dr. Muse has held the office of President of Hinds Community College since 1978, where he oversees a student enrollment of more than 13,000 and an annual budget of $48,000,000.00 at four campuses, and a total staff of 1,112 professional and nonprofessional employees; and

     WHEREAS, a 1947 graduate of Sebastopol High School, Dr. Muse furthered his educational skills by earning his associate of arts degree from East Central Community College in 1949, his bachelor of science degree with honors from Delta State in 1952 with a major in health and physical education and a minor in science, his master of education degree from Mississippi State in 1959 with a major in school administration and a minor in science and his doctor of education degree from Mississippi State University in 1968 with a major in school administration and a minor in educational psychology; and

     WHEREAS, Dr. Muse began his career in educational instruction in 1952 in the Canton Public School System before transferring to the Starkville Municipal Separate School District in 1957, where he remained until 1969; and

     WHEREAS, prior to his presidency, Dr. Muse served as an adjunct instructor of graduate and undergraduate courses in education and psychology at Mississippi State University, and subsequent to his fulfilling his duties as President of Hinds Community College, he has served in the capacity as an adjunct instructor of graduate courses at the Mississippi College School of Education; and

     WHEREAS, in efforts of facilitating better college academia to prepare qualified students for life in the real world, Dr. Muse has participated in the legislative process by serving in  advisory capacities to the Legislature, including the House and Senate Education Committees in development of the Education Reform Act, the House and Senate Education Committees on legislation creating the State Board for Vocational-Technical Education and as advisor to the Lieutenant Governor, House and Senate Education Committees for the constitutional amendment creating a Lay State Board of Education; and

     WHEREAS, for his diligent commitment to education, Dr. Muse has enjoyed the honor of being one of 50 junior college presidents, nationwide, to participate in the 1980 AACJC Presidents' Assembly and one of 50 superintendents, nationwide, to participate in Columbia University 1975 Summer Institute; and

     WHEREAS, an ambassador for Mississippi's education system, both secondary and postsecondary, Dr. Muse has made three voyages to Russia and one trip to Surinam to enlighten government and institutional officials of the benefits community colleges have on economic development in a region; and

     WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend the outstanding works of its collegiate administrative leaders, such as Dr. Muse, whose skill and experience has garnered much respect and honor to Hinds Community College and the State of Mississippi:

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Dr. Vernon Clyde Muse for his many contributions to Hinds Community College and upon receiving the Outstanding College President Award by the All-American Football Foundation.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Dr. Vernon Clyde Muse, Hinds Community College, the Mississippi State Board of Community and Junior Colleges and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.