Michael Hataway Selected for Hinds Community College Alumni Award

Michael Hataway

An award-winning teacher for more than four decades, and a veteran law enforcement officer, Michael Hataway this fall will receive what may be the sweetest honor in his career.

Hinds Community College leaders recently selected Hataway to be the school’s alumnus of the year. The 65-year-old Raymond resident is invited to a dinner at the Eagle Ridge Conference Center on September 27^th to be saluted as the recipient of the award.

After taking the phone call from Hinds President Clyde Muse last week, Hataway was surprised and overcome with emotion when learning about his newest award.

Hataway serves as graphic design coordinator and assistant chairman of the Department of Art at Mississippi College. He was a top-notch teacher at Hinds from 1971 through 2004, including service as the graphic communications department. He first joined Mississippi College’s Art Department as an adjunct graphic arts instructor in 1998 before joining MC full-time in 2004.

“I have been so blessed to work and teach and have enjoyed such a great career,” Hataway said. “I am humbled greatly by this award.”

Hataway’s career as an educator began in 1968 at Jackson’s old Central High School where he served as head of the art department for three years. The building across from the state Capitol is now used as headquarters of the Mississippi Department of Education.

The tall Mississippi native is an alumnus of Raymond-based Hinds Community College with an associate’s degree in fine arts. He received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Mississippi College that opened doors for his career as a graphic design instructor.

His long list of awards include Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers more than a half-dozen times, including his selection in 2010, and the 1983 National Teacher of the Year from the American Vocational Association. MC recognized him as the university’s outstanding art alumnus in 1984. In addition, Hataway has worked as a part-time police officer for Hinds Community College and the Raymond Police Department.

MC colleagues say Hataway is truly deserving of the newest award from his alma mater.

“He was my art teacher at Central High School and at Hinds, my colleague here at MC, and most importantly he’s my friend,” said Randy Miley, chairman of the MC Art Department. “Our years at Hinds were very special and I must say that I have not met anyone who has shown more love and given so much of himself to one institution as Mike has given to Hinds.”

Miley is a 1975 Hinds graduate and 1973 Central High alumnus.

Born in Louisville, Mississippi, Hataway moved to Jackson as an 18-month-old. He and his wife, Susan, a Hinds alumnus and an artist, are the parents of four sons, Rob, Reagan, Cameron and Tabb. He’s a member of the Hinds Independent Methodist Church close to his home in Raymond.

Ron Howard, MC’s vice president for academic affairs, joins a number of faculty and staff members delighted to hear the good news about Hataway.

Hataway “is generally regarded as the leading graphic art professor in Central Mississippi,: Howard said. “MC is so very fortunate to have Mike Hataway leading our program. His dedication to student learning is exemplary, as his legions of successful graduates will gladly tell you.”

The MC professor has a heart for community service. He’s the leader and organizer of the Art Department’s annual Christmas dinners at Mississippi College to celebrate the season with poor families from Jackson’s Wingard Home. Families coming to the holiday feast on the Clinton campus are showered by Christmas gifts and welcomed by Santa.

“This event is not only a blessing for the Wingard Home, but a real blessing for all of us to participate to spread the joy of Christmas,” Hataway said.

Getting word of the 2011 Alumnus of the Year award from Hinds Community College adds a great deal of joy to the life of the extraordinary Mississippi educator.