R. R. "Bob" Morrison Jr. of Vicksburg has been named to receive the college's 2007 Alumni Service Award.

"Bob Morrison is very deserving of this award. He has been one of the strongest supporters of our campus in Vicksburg - as well as the rest of the district," said college President Dr. Clyde Muse. "He has given his support to Hinds through the years in a lot of ways - not only financially but in the advisory area as well. His background in business has enabled him to provide us with excellent advice on what we need to do in terms of training the workforce."

Morrison's support of Hinds began many years ago when, as a member of the Vicksburg business community, he worked with the college's Vicksburg Branch (now the Vicksburg-Warren Campus) advisory committees. That relationship evolved into working with the Warren-Claiborne Chapter's annual golf fundraiser and to serving on the college Development Foundation board of directors.

Morrison, who earned a bachelor's degree in business administration at the University of Mississippi, built upon the gasoline-related company founded by his father in 1928. In partnership with his own sons, Bob III and Cooper, Morrison operated the Fast Lane chain of convenience stores and the Fuelman Fleet Management Systems in Mississippi and West Tennessee. Having sold the chain in 2000, he is semi-retired while maintaining the partnership with his sons in several businesses known as The Morrison Companies.

"Mr. Morrison and his company have been significant contributors to Hinds for many years," said Jackie Granberry, vice president for Institutional Advancement. "They were one of the first to pledge to the Campaign for Hinds , and they continue to contribute annually to the foundation and support its different projects."

In addition to serving on the Development Foundation board, Granberry noted that Morrison supports the Warren-Claiborne County Alumni golf tournament and that his company has been for many years a hole sponsor for the foundation's annual Golf Fund Fun Fest.

"It's a privilege for me to be associated with Hinds and to understand how valuable and important to our state Hinds is," Morrison said. "Until I had some association with Hinds, I really hadn't had the opportunity to appreciate the impact that the Hinds system has on the people of our state.

"There are many productive people who never would have had the opportunity for a college education were it not for the community college system - and Hinds in particular. For Mississippi, the education of our people is probably the most important step that we can take to improve our economy and quality of life," he said.

Morrison and his wife, Martha "Twick" Morrison, are long-time active members of Crawford Street United Methodist Church. He has served in the church's mission work and was instrumental in developing its Abundant Life Center. In addition, he has served as chairman of the board of the Good Shepherd Community Center and worked with its food program for needy families.

He is a former chairman of Vicksburg's Economic Development Foundation and a member of the Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club. He is active with United Way of West Central Mississippi and previously served as director of a local bank. He is a life member of the Millsaps College board of trustees.