Dozens of Hinds employees painted curbs and parking lot lines, planted flowers, picked up trash and more during Hinds CARES About Hinds Day, an annual campus beautification effort by faculty and staff volunteers.
It was a perfect fall morning for the Oct. 24 spruce up. Clear skies, cool temperatures and low humidity graced the six locations where dozens pitched in. On the Raymond Campus, Dean of Student Services Dr. TJ Walker helped spread new mulch in beds along the front of Cain-Cochran Hall. Walker said every day at Hinds brings opportunities to serve others.
TJ “Tommy” Walker spreads mulch in front of Cain-Cochran Hall on the Raymond Campus.
“As leaders on campus, we talk about service and, often, service shows up in a lot of different ways,” Dr. Walker said. “Sometimes it’s meeting with students or supporting students, or it could be beautifying our campus. It’s all in the name of service.”
The number of volunteers has more than doubled since 2023, from 110 to 260.
David Stingley, Emiko Hemleben, Andrew Gunn, Andrea Janoush and Emily Thomas help beautify the Rankin Campus.
“This special occasion has become a tradition that brings our college community together in a spirit of service, pride and gratitude,” said Vice President of Human Resources Andrea Janoush. “It’s truly enjoyable to have a day dedicated to giving back that not only enhances the beauty of our campus but also strengthens the bonds between colleagues.”
President Dr. Stephen Vacik cleans windows at Muse Center.
On the Rankin Campus, Hinds President Dr. Stephen Vacik cleaned windows inside the Muse Center while Della Turner and Laketha Berry wiped down tables together.
Jack Hust, director of the Rankin Campus Physical Plant and Maintenance, said his team always appreciates extra hands.
Hinds employees spent the morning sprucing up parking lot lines at the Career and Technical Building on Greenfield Road. Front row, from left, are Jason Webb, Amanda Marbury, Deborah McCaa, Sandra Mozingo and Theresea Fletcher. Back row, from left, are Debra Perkins, Beverly Patrick, Andi Winnett and Chris Pittman.
Jonathan Townes paints white lines on a Jackson Campus parking lot.
Rachel Carroll (left) and Stacia Webb refresh Raymond Campus curbs with bright yellow paint.
“Some days it seems like we just barely keep our head above water,” Hust said. “Every little bit of volunteer help we can get we appreciate, and we utilize it.”
Antoinette Nelson and Maxine Roby moved their Raymond Campus offices earlier that week on short notice. They were taking advantage of the morning to finish organizing a storage room.
Antoinette Nelson (left) and Maxine Roby file documents they recently moved to a new office on the Raymond Campus.
“We were originally going to be doing something on campus, but since we had to move all of a sudden, we got it approved to be a CARES project,” Roby said. “This day is just awesome for us to be able to put these files away and be ready to work next week.”
Courtney Holmes and Alston Curtis pick up trash and large limbs on the Vicksburg-Warren Campus.
Everett Carraway uses his painting skills to brighten up a curb on the Vicksburg-Warren Campus.
On the Vicksburg-Warren Campus, Courtney Holmes said she keeping the campus clean is part of everyone’s job.
“It’s part of our responsibility as employees and staff to make sure that the students have a good environment to come to every day, and that includes outside beautification as much as the inside stuff that I do,” Holmes said.
Jarius Smith picks up trash on the Utica Campus.
Melvin Wilson unloads purple chrysanthemums for planting on the Utica Campus.
Dr. Litany Lineberry helped plant flowers on the Utica Campus. She said she loves giving back, not just to the Utica community to Hinds CC overall. “It lets students know we care about them,” she said.
David Stingley, Rankin Campus Team Leader, summed up the spirit of the day: “Hinds Cares shows one team, one goal, one Hinds.”
Tyrasa Bouldin moves books at the Nursing Allied Health Campus.
Amanda Marbury paints curb lines in the parking lot at the Career and Technical Building on Greenfield Road.
Della Turner, left, and Laketha Berry spiff up tables at Muse Center.
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With six campuses in central Mississippi, Hinds Community College is a comprehensive institution offering quality, affordable educational opportunities with academic programs of study leading to seamless university transfer and career and technical programs teaching job-ready skills.
Our Mission: Hinds Community College is committed to moving people and communities forward by helping develop their purpose, passion and profession.
Our Vision: Hinds Community College will be a catalyst to create a competitive economy and a compelling culture for Mississippi.
Our Values: Hinds Community College aspires to the following IDEALS: Integrity, Diversity, Excellence, Accountability, Leadership, Stewardship.
To learn more, visit www.hindscc.edu or call 1.800.HindsCC.