Senate Concurrent Resolution 638

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP AND DEDICATION OF GARY J. HERRING, HEAD OF SCHOOL OF FIRST PRESBYTERIAN DAY SCHOOL, ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT.

WHEREAS, Gary J. Herring was born in Brandon, Mississippi, on January 24, 1952, to parents who were both educators. Gary graduated from the University of Mississippi in 1973, and moved to Montgomery, Alabama, where he earned his Master's Degree in Business Administration from Auburn University in 1978; and

WHEREAS, in 1980, Gary and his wife Jerri and two young daughters moved from Montgomery to Jackson, Mississippi, for Gary to assume the position of Business Administrator of First Presbyterian Church. After being approached by the Board of Trustees of First Presbyterian Day School to determine his interest in becoming Head of School, Gary enrolled at Mississippi College to receive a Master of Education, Administration and Curriculum to prepare for the job; and

WHEREAS, Gary became the third Head of School of First Presbyterian Day School in 1987 and has faithfully served for more than 30 years. The kingdom school began in 1965 and continues today with a mission of: planting seeds of Christlikeness in the hearts of children, pursuing excellence in academics, and preparing students for future service in God's kingdom in their homes, churches, and professions; and

WHEREAS, during Gary's tenure, the school has seen substantial growth: remodeling of the art room, library, and state-of-the-art science lab; the addition of a K3 and K4 preschool program and a new preschool center; the establishment of a dyslexia immersion program; a renovated gymnasium; an updated stage for school productions; and a new playground; and

WHEREAS, also during Gary's years of service to First Presbyterian Day School, the school has experienced a reduction in student-teacher ratios; the addition of a day care for children of faculty and staff; numerous curriculum changes; the development of strategic plans; the introduction of modern technology to students, faculty, and classrooms; and the implementation of a schoolwide mission project that has raised thousands of dollars for various ministries at home and abroad; and

WHEREAS, in 2013, Gary received the Joe F. Shepard Memorial Award from the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools and has overseen the school's membership in the organization. Gary and Jerri have been married for more than 40 years and are the proud parents of Leslie Miley (Ben) and Lindsey Vira (Joey) and are blessed with five grandchildren: Bailey Grace and Beckley Vira, Walker and Katie Poole, and Will Miley; and

WHEREAS, Gary has humbly given God all the glory during his years of service to the school and will retire from the position of Head of School of First Presbyterian Day School in June 2018; and

WHEREAS, throughout Herring's tenure at First Presbyterian Day School, the school has planted seeds of Christlikeness in thousands of children:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby join the students and Administration of First Presbyterian Day School, along with the Herring family and the community at large, in recognizing Gary Herring for his prayerful, humble, and godly leadership to First Presbyterian Day School since 1987 and extend our best wishes to him on his retirement.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the Board of Trustees of First Presbyterian Day School, the Herring family, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.