House Concurrent Resolution 37

(As Adopted by House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LAUDABLE CAREER AND DISTINGUISHED SERVICE OF DR. CLYDE MUSE AS PRESIDENT OF HINDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND CONGRATULATING HIM UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT ON JUNE 30, 2020, AFTER 42 YEARS OF REMARKABLE SERVICE.

WHEREAS, after 68 years of service in education, 42 of which have been in the capacity as the chief administrative officer of Hinds Community College, Dr. Clyde Muse will retire his presidential regalia of mortar board and gown for a quiet morning or evening with the daily headlines on June 30, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Muse, who became president on July 1, 1978, is the longest serving community college president in Mississippi history and among the longest serving college presidents in the nation, and is often called the "godfather" of Mississippi's community colleges for his committed vision in moving all colleges forward, while exemplifying exceptional finesse in his ability to assemble diverse groups of stakeholders to bring projects to fruition; and

WHEREAS, a native of Benton County, Mississippi, the son of a preacher, Dr. Muse matriculated at the postsecondary level of education at East Central Community College, Delta State University and Mississippi State University, and established his foundation in public education as a teacher and a coach in Canton and Starkville, before becoming a principal in Starkville, and then superintendent for the Hinds County School District from 1969 to 1971 and for Meridian from 1971 to 1978, devoting 26 years in Mississippi's public K-12 education system, which included navigating the Hinds County School District through desegregation in 1970; and

WHEREAS, having coined the term "The College for All People" early in his presidency, Dr. Muse's unconditional love for and dedication to the students served by the college and its employees, is exemplary of his mantra in action, "working to ensure all Mississippians have the opportunity for a quality, affordable and accessible higher education"; and

WHEREAS, the rarity of a single individual to hold a tenure of this magnitude, while leading the college through a myriad of economic and social changes, is demonstrative of the strength, grace, dignity and unwavering commitment to put students first by an exceptional man with a servant's heart; and

WHEREAS, over the last 42 years, his accomplishments at the college have been vast, consisting of: improvements to infrastructure at all six Hinds locations; guiding the Jackson Campus-Academic/Technical Center and the Vicksburg-Warren Campus into comprehensive campuses; relocating the Nursing and Allied Health Programs from the Raymond Campus to Jackson Campus-Nursing/Allied Health Center in 1982; opening the Pearl/Rankin Vo-Tech Center in 1983, which would later become the Rankin Campus; and expanding the Raymond Campus across Highway 18 to Seven Springs Road, where the Ted Kendall III Agricultural Complex is located; all of which fostered the opening of the Eagle Ridge Conference Center in 1996 after an increased demand for business and industry training; and

WHEREAS, honored over the course of his esteemed tenure by numerous distinguished groups, Dr. Muse's accolades include: the Association of Community College Trustees' Southern Region Chief Executive Officer Award; Governor Phil Bryant's inaugural Governor's Award for Excellence in State Government; the Mississippi Association of Partners in Education's prestigious Winter-Reed Partnership Award; being named Alumnus of the Year for East Central, Delta State and for Mississippi State University's College of Education; induction into the Mississippi Coaches Hall of Fame; recognitions by the Mississippi Legislature and Boy Scouts of America; and an approaching March 2020 induction into the Delta State University Sports Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, throughout every educational move and decision made, every vision and goal realized, Dr. Muse was favored by God to enjoy the love and support of his late wife of 58 years, Mrs. Vashti Muse, their three children, eight grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, each of whom encouraged and inspired him to scale the pinnacle of educational excellence; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to honor a giant of an individual of Dr. Muse's refined caliber, whose zealous commitment to the state's educational system from the cradle to the credential or degree has produced a storied legacy of greatness that will forever be the model of exceptional leadership in this state:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the laudable career and distinguished service of Dr. Clyde Muse as president of Hinds Community College and congratulate him upon the occasion of his retirement on June 30, 2020, after 42 years of remarkable service, and extend best wishes of the Legislature for continued health and prosperity in his lighter years of life.

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