The Retired Education Personnel of Vicksburg-Warren County has named Eugene Durman Jr. the 2009 Retiree of the Year.

Durman, chosen from 14 nominees, was honored at the organization’s final meeting of the year Monday.

“I’m speechless,” Durman said. “I just think there are other people who are also deserving. But I think they see me work diligently at the state and local level.”

Durman, who received the award for the second time, is the District IV Director for the Retired Education Personnel of Mississippi. He oversees 13 units that include more than 150 retirees. There are about 80 members in the local chapter.

Durman, a Vicksburg native, retired from Hinds Community College’s Vicksburg campus as an industry maintenance professor in 1998. He served in that position for seven years, but has been an educator for 33.

“I enjoyed seeing my students progress, grow and mature in the development of trade and mind,” he said.

Durman was announced as the Retiree of the Year by last year’s winner and outgoing chapter president Guyla Gould, a retired elementary school teacher and an instructor for high-achieving students.

“I thought he was a great selection,” Gould said. “He has worked really hard.”

The luncheon featured opening words from Vicksburg Warren School District Superintendent Dr. James Price and special music by members Linda Powell, Jane Brock and Jo Ella Walls, who were accompanied by Shirley Harris on the organ.

New officers for the 2010-12 session were also installed. They are Gwendolyn Brown, president; Frances Gaddis, vice president; Linda Herrod, secretary; and Walls, treasurer.

Nominees for the award included Gould, Walls, Gaddis, Karen Burke, Sherry Fisher, Dot Dorman, Odessa Williams, Walter Sheriff, Caldonia Thomas, Bessie Otis, Henrietta Spates, Barbara Applebaum and Othel Mendrop.

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Contact Manivanh Chanprasith at mchan@vicksburgpost.com