hyran barefoot biograhpy

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Welcome to Webster Co. MS Biography's

Dr Hyran E Barefoot

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"I'd never even heard of Union University until June of 1957," Dr. Barefoot reflects. "I pastored for two years at a church in Crowley, Louisiana, until I was contacted by Dr. Warren Jones, Union's president, about an opening teaching New Testament and Greek."

"I'd been recommended by one of my former professors in New Orleans, so I visited Union on my way to Chicago for that year's Southern Baptist Convention. The position sounded promising, so I joined Union's faculty in the fall."

Dr. Barefoot, with wife Joyce and daughters Judith, June, and Jane, moved to Jackson in 1957. A native of Mantee, Mississippi, Dr. Barefoot has come to regard both Jackson and Union University as "home."

"I only lived in Mantee the first 18 years of my life, and I've spent 37 in Jackson," Dr. Barefoot says. "Joyce and I have watched our children grow up here, and this is where we've spent virtually all of our adult lives."

Dr. Barefoot left Jackson for a position at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1960, but returned to Union for good in 1962.

"I thought going to the seminary would be a step up in my career, but I never enjoyed it as much as my three years at Union," Dr. Barefoot recalls. "There has always been something about Union's atmosphere and students that does not exist anywhere else."

Dr. Barefoot rejoined Union's faculty as professor of religion and Greek, eventually serving as chair of the departments of religion, languages, and humanities.

During this time, he began donning the trademark bow tie that has become legendary in Union circles. He had worn the ties during the 1950's, but his unique accesorizing didn't become a permanent aspect of his wardrobe until the 1970's.

"I started out wearing bow ties just to do something a little different," says Dr. Barefoot, who now estimates his bow tie collection at 75. "I never thought it would someday be regarded as my 'trademark.' "

Likewise, Dr. Barefoot never thought of a departure from the classroom. As with his previous career in the pastorate, he was content as an educator and didn't have a role change in mind.

However, past presidents F.E. Wright and Robert Craig had other thoughts on the matter. Wright first offered Dr. Barefoot the position of academic dean, but to no avail.

"I turned the position down for two reasons," Dr. Barefoot explains. "I wasn't sure I'd enjoy moving from the classroom to the administrative office, and I wasn't sure if I would be successful."

Craig had similar luck in persuading him to accept the position on his first offer, which Dr. Barefoot refused for similar reasons. A third try in 1975 proved successful, and Dr. Barefoot resumed his reluctant march to Union's presidency.

"I decided to try serving as dean for a year, with the option of returning to the classroom," Dr. Barefoot reflects. "Once I got in place, however, it was difficult to get out."

While maintaining a presence in the classroom, Dr. Barefoot began overseeing Union's academic programs for the next 12 years as academic dean, and later as vice president for academic affairs. The presidency remained a non-issue, until President Craig resigned in July 1986.

"I was appointed interim president by the board of trustees, and eventually was asked to submit a resume for consideration," Dr. Barefoot recalls.

On February 27, 1987, trustees had narrowed a field of 70 candidates to one-- Dr. Hyran E. Barefoot. On October 16, 1987, 30 years after his arrival on Union's campus, Dr. Barefoot was inaugurated as the University's 14th president. Although he never planned even to become teacher, much less president of a university, Dr. Barefoot has always regarded his role as a ministry.

"I've always felt that Union's mission is the same as mine," Dr. Barefoot says. "I am able to minister through Union University, although I'm not in the full-time pastorate, and I am able to help young people without being in the classroom full-time."

In Dr. Barefoot's 10 years at the helm, Union has experienced record enrollments, new construction and continuous expansion, innovative academic programming, and renewed alumni commitment. Of all these accomplishments, Dr. Barefoot takes most pride in the foundation laid for Union's continuing success.

"From a physical, institutional and academic standpoint, the sky is the limit for Union University," Dr. Barefoot says.

Having observed dozens of student generations as they passed through Union's halls, Dr. Barefoot also looks back with pride at the leaders the University has produced.

"It's been a satisfying process to see so many people I knew as students go on to become heads of enterprise, ministry... even presidents of other Baptist colleges. Union's alumni are proof of this institution's quality."

"My relationship with Dr. Barefoot began in 1959 when I was a student," recalls James Allison, '63, president of Union's National Alumni Association. "He has been a consistent leader, and his reaching out to graduates has sparked greater alumni interest over the past 10 years. His leadership has made a difference in every aspect of the University."

An instrumental part of Dr. Barefoot's presidency has been his wife, Joyce, who resigned as a school teacher and dedicated herself to being a full-time first lady.

"Joyce has been by my side throughout my career at Union, and I am happy that she has shared through her active involvement," Dr. Barefoot says.

Although he stepped down as president May 31, Dr. Barefoot carries a full slate of plans for the coming years, looking forward to more time with grandchildren, fishing on the Tennessee River, or relaxing at his vacation home in Canada. Another ongoing project of Dr. Barefoot's, helping establish a Southern Baptist university in Brazil, is nearing completion this fall, and Dr. Barefoot anticipates continued involvement.