Now that George Barnes is retiring as vice president for the Utica and Vicksburg-Warren campuses, he is being honored with a tribute dinner in order to add revenue to the scholarship. The event is Friday, June 14 at Eagle Ridge Conference Center. The reception begins at 5:30 p.m., with dinner and a program beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Ads for a tribute booklet are being sold through June 5. Each ticket is $50. All proceeds from the benefit will go toward the George and Doris Barnes Scholarship through the Hinds Community College Foundation. For more information, contact the Institutional Advancement Office at 601.857.3363.
Barnes is retiring with 51 years of service that began in 1962 when he started as a mathematics instructor at Hinds County Agricultural High School in Utica.
Some of the many hats he has worn during his time at Hinds include assistant basketball coach, principal of the Hinds Agricultural High School, director of public relations and academic dean of the Utica Campus, and vice president for administrative/student services, along with his current titles.
“Dr. Barnes has been on a roller coaster, striving over five decades to keep pace with educational developments on the campuses and in areas he’s supervised at Hinds,” said Dr. Shirley Hopkins-Davis, dean of instruction for the Utica Campus. “His interests in building humanity, specifically, have been time consuming yet fulfilling. He has worked tirelessly to build the cultural character in the surrounding communities and has been a mentor to many, including me. He leaves a legacy of dedicated and committed leadership in multiple areas of the college.”
Dr. Barnes has a Bachelor of Science degree from Jackson State University, a master’s degree from Louisiana State University, an Educational Specialist degree from Mississippi State University, and a doctorate from the University of Southern Mississippi. He holds countless professional, civic, and leadership positions within his community. He is a published author and has received the Hinds 3E award and outstanding service awards, among others.
Mrs. Barnes retired in 2000 after 37 years during which she taught at Hinds Agricultural High School for a year and then served the remainder of her tenure as high school librarian. She received her bachelor’s in social science and a master’s in library science, both at Jackson State University.