It’s with that long record of service to the college that they have endowed a scholarship in their names.
“Our purpose of this endowed scholarship award is to support and give back to Hinds for our many years of service,” Robert Strong said.
Robert, a Vicksburg native, was a teacher, coach and administrator for 47 years at the two schools. He taught industrial arts for 33 of those years, as well as 14 years serving as principal of Hinds AHS. Also, he was head football coach and tennis coach at the high school, plus the assistant men’s basketball coach at Utica Junior College, which later became the Utica Campus.
Gwendolyn, an Amory native, was a secretary and admissions processor at the Utica Campus for 46 years. Her duties were processing student applications, handling registration, processing grades, transcript requests, audit reports and all admissions materials to send to the main campus.
“It is our intent to provide financial opportunities to students in the Hinds Community College District in order that they may continue their education,” Gwendolyn Strong said.
Students eligible for the scholarship must be enrolled at the Utica Campus full-time and maintain a 2. 5 GPA or better and must have graduated from Raymond High School, Terry High School, Clinton High School, Jackson Public Schools, the Vicksburg-Warren School District or Port Gibson High School. Applicants may major in any academic or career-tech field and must be free of disciplinary issues.
Both were active in numerous professional organizations during their careers in education. Among Robert’s affiliations is serving as past president of the Hinds County AHS Teacher Association and District VI Teacher Association. Also, Robert was a co-coach of the year for District VI-2A and was a 25-year member of the Mississippi Association of Coaches.
Gwendolyn is a past winner of the William H. Holtzclaw Legacy Award, the Administrative Professional Award and is also a past Hinds Hero. She has received several recognitions for meritorious service for the Hinds Community College District.
Robert attended Rosa A. Temple High School in Vicksburg and earned an associate degree in industrial arts from T.J. Harris Junior College in Meridian. He later earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial arts education from Mississippi Valley State University. His master’s degree in industrial education is from Mississippi State University.
Gwendolyn attended West Amory High School and earned a bachelor’s degree from Mississippi Valley State University.