In a joint resolution honoring Dr. Clyde Muse’s seven decades serving education in Mississippi, the Warren County Board of Supervisors and Vicksburg Board of Mayor and Aldermen designated Friday as Dr. Clyde Muse Day.

Muse is retiring as president of Hinds Community College, the state’s largest community college. Last week, the Hinds Board of Trustees named Dr. Stephen Vacik as Muse’s successor, effective July 1.

“We urge citizens to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Clyde Muse and his lifelong commitment to education in our great state of Mississippi,” Warren County Supervisor Kelle Barfield said in reading the resolution to the joint advisory board of the Vicksburg-Warren Campus of Hinds Wednesday. “Dr. Muse’s vision of a ‘College for All People’ established Hinds Community College as an opportunity for quality, affordable, accessible higher education through ever-expanding programs to meet evolving workforce needs. Throughout his presidency, Dr. Muse has been a tireless advocate for cutting-edge technology to benefit students, employers and the community.”

In addition, the Vicksburg-Warren campus named its main corridor in honor of Muse.

“We want every student who drives onto this campus to be driving the ‘Dr. Clyde Muse Way,” Marvin Moak, vice president for the Vicksburg-Warren Hinds campus, said.

In accepting his honor, Muse shared that all he ever wanted to do was to teach and coach.

“I just wanted to serve, and it’s been a great 68 years working in education. I thank the Lord for giving me that opportunity,” he said.

Muse’s first teaching job, in 1952, paid $2,400 per year, but he exemplified qualities of a servant leader who saw rich returns in the lives of thousands of students over the years, including those here in Vicksburg.

“I don’t know a community I love more than Vicksburg,” Muse said.

Recognized for engineering physical growth and facilities upgrades over his 42 years at Hinds, Muse reflected on efforts to expand the Vicksburg-Warren buildings and programs.

“I remember one meeting where the hallway was full of people supporting new construction. We’ve always received total support from the community here,” he said.

Muse considered the growth of the Vicksburg-Warren campus to be “one of the greatest things that happened in my tenure. When we reopen our classrooms, I know every one of the buildings here will be full of students.”

Muse said the college’s future is in good hands with Vacik.

“This has been a good ride for me, and Dr. Vacik will find he has the finest people to work with at this wonderful campus in Vicksburg,” Muse said.