Coming from the drab and oppressive coal camps to this unique and beautiful setting, being a part of the special curricula designed by Mr. [Glyn] Morris and his talented staff, was a haven.

Later in life, Paul spoke of his PMSS education as “…the greatest thing, really, that ever happened to me” because the variety of jobs the students performed gave them “confidence that you were capable of doing any type of thing that you really wanted to do.”

Paul Hayes with his nephew, Wm. Steven Hayes. Source: Paul Hayes Photograph Collection. [hay_IMAG0245_mod.jpg]

Paul’s graduation from PMSS high school in 1940 coincided with the heating up of World War II. As the United States began to greatly increase its Navy after Germany captured Paris, France, Paul joined a Navy V-12 Unit. Through the V-12 program, he received training both at Berea (Kentucky) College, and Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, followed by service on a PT (Patrol Torpedo) Boat in the area of the Caribbean.

Paul next returned to the PMSS campus on the occasion of his marriage in the PMSS Chapel to Ellen (“Mattie”) Ayers Hayes on May 30, 1946. Ellen, a Berea College graduate, was, like Paul, a native of Harlan County (Twila) and a former student at PMSS. She was one of six sisters who attended the school.

Throughout the years following their marriage, Paul and Ellen raised their family, owned and operated a music store in Bristol, Tennessee, and helped start a Presbyterian Church “which became basically a university church.” Throughout these years, Paul stayed involved with PMSS and helped to institute an active alumni association to support the School.

Paul Hayes and Ellen (“Mattie”) Ayers Hayes marriage in the PMSS Chapel, May 30, 1946. [nace_1_071b.jpg]

Paul Hayes was already retired and still living in Bristol when, in September 1986, he was offered the position of interim director at Pine Mountain Settlement School to replace former Director James Urquhart.

Mildred Mahoney described Paul as an appropriate selection for Pine Mountain at that time:

[While attending PMSS boarding school] Paul’s work experience — cultivating, planting, pruning, supervising boys in the dairy barn, caretaking steam heat furnaces and hot water heaters, mechanical work on the school bus and school truck — [was] to become an important background for a return to Pine Mountain.

When he accepted the PMSS position, Paul took a leave of absence from his job of eight years as a carillon consultant for companies based in California and overseas in England. Originally agreeing to stay at PMSS for six months, Paul and Ellen realized that they could benefit the School by remaining longer. In the end, Paul served as director for 10 years.

Paul’s most formative educational years at Pine Mountain were during the tenure of Glyn Morris, Director. In the April 1989 issue of PMSS Notes, he stated the following:

We walk in the steps of Mr. [Glyn] Morris. His ideals guide us as we follow along, ever seeking to make the programs and activity here a reflection of what he taught us.

Bill Robinson, editor of The Berea Alumnus, “Lights in the Mountains” (no date) described Pine Mountain Settlement School under Paul Hayes’ leadership as follows:

Under Hayes, PMSS concentrated much effort on dropout prevention. The school employed retired teachers who visited public schools to tutor students who were behind in reading and writing skills, as well as gifted children. PMSS also uses its lush and expansive campus for an environmental education program not offered by any other institution.

In addition to teaching in the environmental education program at the School, Paul’s wife Ellen created an Intervention Program, employing retired teachers who went into elementary schools in local counties to help at-risk children. This program was later adopted by the State of Kentucky as an after-school program.

These accomplishments were included in a tribute to Paul Hayes, written by James Greene III, a PMSS Trustee, in the 1996 dedication issue of Notes. Also, Dr. Greene credited Paul Hayes for rebuilding and restoring of the aging campus infrastructure, stabilizing the School’s financial position, and restoring ties with the community.

The phrase, “In the Spirit of Pine Mountain,” became a familiar signature of Director Paul Hayes and continues to resonate with those who know the school and the work of this dedicated leader.

Paul Hayes was born in October 1922 and died of cancer in October 1996 in his 10th year as Director of the Pine Mountain Settlement School.

GALLERY: PAUL HAYES Director Student

See Also:

WILLIAM HAYES Student Staff (Part I) – Biography
SILVAN HAYES
JOHN HAYES

ELLEN AYERS HAYES Student Staff– Biography
ELLEN AYERS Student Record

Return to BIOGRAPHY – A-Z

SEE ALSO:

DEAR FRIENDS LETTERS
ADMINISTRATIVE CORRESPONDENCE
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE
PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE