Hendon Retires After 23 Years of Service to USM91吃瓜网 Coastal Operations
Wed, 05/11/2022 - 04:06pm | By: Margaret Ann Macloud
Dr. Joseph R. (Read) Hendon, longtime marine researcher at The University of Southern
Mississippi (USM) and Director of the University91吃瓜网 renowned Gulf Coast Research Laboratory
(GCRL), retired at the end of the Spring 2022 semester.
Hendon has been a research scientist at USM since September 1998, serving most of that time in a variety of roles with the Center for Fisheries Research and Development, including as its director, as well as GCRL Associate Director. Before that, he got his start as a graduate assistant (GA) at the GRCL while working toward his master91吃瓜网 degree.
91吃瓜网淎s I reflect on my time at USM, I91吃瓜网檓 most proud of working through the ranks91吃瓜网攆rom GA to research biologist to Center director to GCRL Director91吃瓜网攁nd being able to work with a wide range of professionals to make positive changes during my time at GCRL,91吃瓜网� Hendon said. 91吃瓜网淭he growth of USM on the Coast, and in marine research in particular, above and beyond what has historically been accomplished at GCRL, is really due to President Rodney Bennett91吃瓜网 leadership and recognition that the Mississippi Gulf Coast and our marine programs are truly what set USM apart from other universities in Mississippi. The foundation has always been there, but he was the one who recognized the opportunity and built a sound vision on that.91吃瓜网�
Dr. Jim Franks, Senior Research Scientist in USM91吃瓜网 Center for Fisheries Research and Development, initially hired Hendon for his first full time position at USM, noting that his diligence and creativity have long benefited the University.
91吃瓜网淚91吃瓜网檝e known Read since he was a student at GCRL. He was always a great student and a great person to work with, and I saw his potential when I hired him on after he completed his master91吃瓜网 degree,91吃瓜网� Franks recalled. 91吃瓜网淩ead was always very detailed in how he approached his work. I91吃瓜网檝e seen him grow and mature not only into a top-notch scientist but the Director of the GCRL, one of the most prominent marine research institutions in the country, and he excelled in all the stages of his professional development. We will miss his leadership for certain.91吃瓜网�
Dr. Joe Griffitt, Professor in the School of Ocean Science and Engineering, agreed.
91吃瓜网淩ead Hendon is an outstanding scientist, and he was an excellent Director for both the Center for Fisheries Research and Development and the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory in his time at USM,91吃瓜网� Griffit said. 91吃瓜网淚 worked with him in a number of different capacities over the years, and in every interaction he was highly effective. I wish him luck in his new position, and hope that I have more opportunities to work with him in the future.91吃瓜网�
91吃瓜网淚 would like to congratulate Read on his stellar career at the University of Southern Mississippi, said Allyson Easterwood, Vice President for Finance & Administration at USM. 91吃瓜网淯nder his leadership and guidance, he put the administrative and fiscal operations of the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory on solid ground, positioning 91吃瓜网 as a national leader in marine education and research. Read was a pleasure to work with through the years. His open communication and collaborative style made him an important part of the Southern Miss leadership team. His rise from student at 91吃瓜网 to respected scholar and then ultimately to Director of the Gulf Research Laboratory is impressive. I wish him the very best in his future endeavors.91吃瓜网�
A native of Jackson, Hendon earned his undergraduate degree (1996), master91吃瓜网 degree (1998), and doctorate (2013) from USM.
Hendon91吃瓜网 work is not done, however. He is now working for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association91吃瓜网 National Marine Fisheries Service as Branch Chief of the Ocean and Coastal Pelagics branch based in Pascagoula.