MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2010 2nd Extraordinary Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Blount, Albritton, Baria, Browning, Brown, Bryan, Butler, Butler (36th), Burton, Carmichael, Chassaniol, Clarke, Davis, Dawkins, Dearing, Dickerson, Fillingane, Flowers, Frazier, Gollott, Gordon, Harden, Hewes, Hopson, Horhn, Hudson, Hyde-Smith, Jackson (11th), Jackson (15th), Jackson (32nd), Jones, Jordan, King, Kirby, Lee (35th), Lee (47th), McDaniel, Mettetal, Michel, Moffatt, Montgomery, Nunnelee, Powell, Simmons, Stone, Tollison, Turner, Walls, Ward, Watson, Wilemon, Yancey

Senate Concurrent Resolution 513

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMENDING THE OUTSTANDING EDUCATIONAL SERVICE OF MRS. VASHTI UNDERWOOD MUSE, THE "FIRST LADY" OF HINDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

     WHEREAS, Mrs. Vashti Underwood Muse, the beloved "First Lady" of Hinds Community College and renowned educator, died on Friday, July 9, 2010; and

     WHEREAS, Mrs. Muse was born in Sebastopol, Mississippi, on August 21, 1933.  She was reared in Leland, Mississippi, and has lived in Canton, Starkville, Jackson, Meridian and Raymond, Mississippi; and

     WHEREAS, Mrs. Muse dedicated her entire life to serving others through education and had a very positive impact in each of the communities where she lived and worked.  A former public elementary school teacher (1961-1978, Starkville, Hinds and Lauderdale Counties), Mrs. Muse was an innovator in the area of basic reading programs.  In 1980, Vashti Muse became a member of the Hinds Community College reading faculty soon after her husband, Dr. Clyde Muse, became President of the college; and

     WHEREAS, Mrs. Muse was educated at Delta State University, held both Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Elementary Education from Mississippi State University and a Developmental Education Specialist Certificate from Appalachian State University.  She taught reading on the Raymond Campus until her retirement in 1996.  She served as an Adjunct Reading Instructor since her retirement and was awarded emeritus status by the college in 2007.  She worked tirelessly with the state and national associations for developmental education (MADE and NADE) and served those organizations in a number of offices including current President of NADE; and

     WHEREAS, Mrs. Muse received many awards and recognition for her work in developmental education.  In 2006, she became the first recipient of the Vashti U. Muse Outstanding Developmental Educator Award that was established in her honor by MADE; and in 2007, she received the Red Rose Award from the Tau Chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International.  In addition, she was awarded the Kellogg Institute Leadership Scholarship (1986), which she used to train for higher levels of excellence in her teaching.  She was named CASE (Council for the Advancement and Support of Education) Professor of the Year in 1994; in 1995, she received the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) Southern Regional Faculty Member Award; and in 1996, she received the coveted ACCT William H. Meardy Faculty Member Award; and

     WHEREAS, in 2006, Belhaven University honored Dr. and Mrs. Muse for their indelible mark on the educational landscape of this state by beginning the Clyde and Vashti Muse Scholarship program for students transferring from Hinds to Belhaven; and

     WHEREAS, in 1980, Hinds Community College recognized Mrs. Muse's dedication with the 3-E Award (Emphasis on Excellence and Enrichment) for Outstanding Service to the College.  Other Hinds Community College awards include Outstanding/Distinguished Academic Instructor Awards and the Lamplighter Project for Outstanding Faculty, both in 1990.  She was nominated by a student and received the Life Star Award recognizing her service to all students in 2008.  Also, in 2008 she received the Alumni Service Award given by the Hinds Alumni Association.  In 2009, she was recognized by Baptist Health Systems, Comcast and Lifetime Television with the Strong Woman Award in the Defender category; and

     WHEREAS, in April of 2010, the Mississippi Legislature presented a Concurrent Resolution recognizing Mrs. Muse and her tremendous impact on education in the State of Mississippi; and

     WHEREAS, as the wife of the college President, Mrs. Muse worked with numerous college activities and committees and served as hostess for many college events such as dinners and receptions in her home and on campus.  She was a faithful supporter of many student activities on all six locations of Hinds Community College.  She was the founder of the Hinds Hi-Stepper Alumnae Association; and

     WHEREAS, she was an active member of the Raymond United Methodist Church where she served in many capacities.  She was involved in many community and civic affairs in Raymond and Jackson.  Some of the many charitable organizations that have benefitted from her influence are the American Cancer Society, Kidney Foundation, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, People of Vision and the American Heart Association; and

     WHEREAS, Mrs. Muse is survived by her husband of 58 years, Dr. Clyde Muse of Raymond, Mississippi; three children:  Julia Vashti Cole (Sellers) of Philadelphia, Mississippi, Dr. Susan Elizabeth Rucker (Randy) of Oxford, Mississippi, and Vernon Clyde Muse, Jr. (Gail) of Raymond, Mississippi; eight grandchildren:  Jennifer Vashti Cole, Prentiss Sellers Cole (Keri), Jeremy Muse Cole (Kathryn), Jamie Elizabeth Monsour Hall (Justin), Christopher Lee Monsour, Rachel Rucker, Lindsey-Claire Muse, and Vernon Clyde "Trae" Muse III; and six great-grandchildren:  Lily Belle, Katelyn, Keaton, Logan, Sam, and Parker Cole.  She is survived by her sisters, Corky Greenlee (Thomas), and Jean Ramsey; and her brother, John Underwood; and

     WHEREAS, it is with great sadness that we note the passing of a great lady whose unwavering grace, devotion, patience and desire shared the gift of knowledge with countless young people in the State of Mississippi:

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby mourn the loss and commend the selfless educational service of Mrs. Vashti Underwood Muse, the "First Lady" of Hinds Community College and wife of Hinds President Dr. Clyde Muse, and express the sympathy of the Legislature on her passing.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Mrs. Muse, forwarded to the Board of Trustees of Hinds Community College and the State Board for Community and Junior Colleges, and made available to the Capitol Press Crops.