“You’re simply the best. Better than all the rest. Better than anyone – anyone I’ve ever met.” — Tina Turner, from “Simply the Best,” October 1991

 

Would-be writers, like me, are very often guilty of attaching hyperbolic superlatives to ordinary people and events. Not everybody and his dog should rightly be characterized as “stupendous” or “iconic” or “outstanding,” etc.

    In employing such descriptors routinely, we water down what it truly means to achieve the exceptional. With that in mind, I can honestly report being in the company of greatness on the first day of this month during a distinguished ceremony in Pearl. The honoree was a gentleman named Dr. Vernon “Clyde” Muse, who was awarded the prestigious Winter-Reed Medallion by the Mississippi Association of Partners in Education.

    The award is indisputably one of the highest honors that can be bestowed upon a Mississippi educator. Making it even more special, the medallion was presented to Dr. Muse by former Gov. William F. Winter, one of the persons for whom the award is named and himself a legendary figure in the annals of state government and education.

    Hundreds attended the event, including state legislators, other elected officials, university and community college presidents, and media representatives. They were all on hand to honor a man widely known in education circles as the one and only “Godfather.” Several speakers, including Mississippi State University President Dr. Mark Keenum, paid tribute to Dr. Muse. Some caused tears to well up in my eyes as I listened to how Dr. Muse had impacted their lives.

    Dr. Muse has served Mississippians as a teacher, coach, principal, school superintendent, and college president for some 63 years, including a highly successful stint as superintendent of the Meridian Public School District. Now into his 80s, Dr. Muse is still going plenty strong as the dynamic leader of the state’s largest community college, Hinds.

    Since moving to Mississippi some 19 years ago, I have always revered Dr. Muse as a treasured friend and mentor. I hesitate to refer to him, however, as a colleague because that might infer that I am on the same level as Dr. Muse. On the contrary, I’m not even in the same universe in terms of his contributions to Mississippi public education and the positive difference he’s made in countless lives.

    Still, I can gratefully lay claim to being among those who have been blessed to rub shoulders with Mississippi’s elder statesman of public education. For almost two decades now, I have participated in monthly meetings of the state’s 15 community college presidents. I have listened and learned sponge-like from Dr. Muse during that time and regularly marveled at his vision and sagely wisdom – hoping I might become just a little bit smarter through osmosis.

    But you can’t manufacture greatness. You can try to emulate it through observation and experience, but it is mostly, in my view, something inherent – endowed by one’s creator. In that respect, Dr. Muse was born to do what he has done and be what he has become. A gentle giant, he could have pursued a zillion different things – from coaching basketball at a major university to running a huge for-profit company – and he would have undoubtedly excelled in any such field.

    Thank God, he chose instead to devote his life to something that can’t be measured by money. He determined (referencing Matthew 6:19) to “build his treasures in Heaven” through service to his fellow man in public education. As Jesus said, such treasures don’t rust nor are they consumed by moths or stolen by thieves. No, what Dr. Muse has achieved will live on in the legacy of those myriad lives he’s touched – generation after generation.

    So, today I don’t apologize for going beyond the pale in penning all these accolades. They are unquestionably well-deserved and, if anything, understated. Thank you, Dr. Muse, for all that you have done to improve the quality of life for so many Mississippians, and modeling unrivaled servant-leadership for pretenders like me.

    Godfather – you ARE simply the best!