Senate Concurrent Resolution 509

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF DR. JULIUS JOHN "J.J." HAYDEN, JR., OF PASS CHRISTIAN, MISSISSIPPI, WHO IS CREDITED WITH EXPANDING RURAL PERKINSTON JUNIOR COLLEGE INTO THE STATE'S FIRST MULTICAMPUS JUNIOR COLLEGE, AND EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE.

WHEREAS, Dr. Julius John "J.J." Hayden, Jr.'s career as a junior college administrator was unprecedented in Mississippi history; and

WHEREAS, "J.J." Hayden, who died Sunday, October 10, 2004, at age 84, took charge of a small rural junior college with facilities valued at just over $1 Million and turned it into Mississippi's first multicampus institution with a net worth of more than $35 Million when he retired; and

WHEREAS, during his tenure, the single Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College installation at Perkinston grew to seven major facilities, at least one of which was located in each of the four counties comprising the college's service district - Harrison, Stone, Jackson and George; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Hayden, a native of Pass Christian, played football at Harrison-Stone-Jackson Junior College at Perkinston. Graduating in 1940, he entered military service; he later earned bachelor's and master's degrees from Mississippi State; and in 1950, he and his wife, Lillian, returned to "Perk"; and

WHEREAS, he taught history for two years and in 1952 was appointed Dean of Men. The following year, at the age of 33, he became the ninth Chief Executive Officer (the second to hold the official title of president) of the institution which was then styled Perkinston Junior College and Agricultural High School; and

WHEREAS, World War II caused the growth of Gulf Coast towns and Hayden realized the people of the Gulf Coast could not come to Perk for an education, so Perk would have to establish educational installations throughout the Gulf Coast to serve them. In early May 1962, the Legislature established the Mississippi Gulf Coast Junior College District. This landmark legislation became the model for the formation of junior college districts throughout the state; and

WHEREAS, the National Education Association (NEA) recognized Dr. Hayden's efforts in establishing Mississippi's first multicampus junior college by naming him the NEA Pacemaker Award recipient for 1966. The NEA particularly commended Hayden's efforts on behalf of vocational-technical education; and

WHEREAS, when Hayden became President of Perkinston Junior College and Agricultural High School in 1953, the single installation at Perkinston enrolled 473 full-time students and produced 104 graduates. In the school year preceding Hayden's retirement on December 31, 1985, the college's seven installations enrolled 4,511 full-time students and graduated 772. The growth in facilities has permitted the college to expand its offerings to include more than 30 university parallel programs, nearly 50 occupational programs, plus adult and continuing education programs; and

WHEREAS, his civic activities included membership on the Board of Governors for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. He served as President of the Mississippi Education Association; and

WHEREAS, it is with sadness that we note the passing of this visionary Mississippi educator, who touched the lives of millions of students and their families:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the life and legacy of Dr. Julius John "J.J." Hayden, Jr., of Pass Christian, Mississippi, who is credited with expanding rural Perkinston Junior College into the state's first multicampus junior college today known as Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, and express to his wife of 61 years Lillian Ruth (Aschbacher) Hayden and his surviving family the sympathy of the Legislature on his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Dr. Hayden, the Board of Trustees of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.