User:RonTnj53/sandbox/Hyran E. Barefoot

Dr. Hyran E. Barefoot

Barefoot served as the 14th president of Union University in Jackson, Tennessee. He was inaugurated on October 16, 1987, after serving the institution for 30 years as professor and administrator. This native of Mantee, Mississippi, served as president until May 31, 1996.

Education

B.A. in Bible and English – Mississippi College

Bachelor of Divinity – New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Doctor of Theology (emphasis in Greek and NT) – New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Additional Studies – The University of St. Andrews, Scotland, the University of New Mexico, and the Baptist Theological Seminary in Ruschlikon, Switzerland.

Career

After pastoring churches in Louisiana and Mississippi, Dr. Barefoot accepted the position of Associate Professor of Religion and Greek at Union University in 1957.

Barefoot departed Union University in 1960, accepting the role of Assistant Professor of New Testament Interpretation at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He returned to Union University in 1962 as professor of religion and Greek and in due course served as chair of the departments of religion, languages, and humanities. Before becoming president, he served as Vice President of Academic Affairs and Acting President of the school.

Under his ten years of presidential leadership, Union University gained in national attention with record enrollments, expansion of facilities, increased academic programming, and community involvement. Earning respect as both a church and community leader, he was named Jackson’s Man of the Year in 1993.

The Barefoot Student Union Building was named in his honor upon his retirement in 1996. Barefoots Joe coffee shop was named for him in 2008 after a tornado ripped through the campus destroying buildings and now serves as an important gathering place for students.

Family

Dr. Barefoot’s 40 years of energy and enthusiasm for Union University was matched only by his wife, the former Joyce Lynn Camp. The Joyce Barefoot Drive, the main drive into the campus, is named in her honor. They have three daughters Judy, June, and Jane.