The University of Southern Mississippi honored a former employee this month with a plaque unveiling ceremony, recognizing his decades of behind-the-scenes work that helped build and sustain the campus.
Community members, university leaders and local officials gathered at the campus Powerhouse building — formerly known as the power plant — to celebrate the legacy of Richard Gaines, a longtime utility worker who played a critical role in the university’s early infrastructure.
Gaines began working at the institution, then known as Mississippi Normal College, in 1916 after visiting a family member on campus. During that visit, he was offered a job firing the boiler in the power plant. Over the next 46 years, Gaines took on multiple roles, including fireman, plumber, carpenter and general utility worker.
At a time when the campus consisted of only five buildings, Gaines was responsible for operating the underground system that controlled heating and cooling throughout the university. University officials said all utilities were routed through a central boiler system in the Powerhouse, requiring precise knowledge of the pipes and infrastructure beneath the campus.
“He was the only person that had all of this in his head,” said Walter Massey, Gaines’ grandson, during the ceremony. “So when people wanted to know something, they would say, ‘Go ask Rich.’”
That reputation earned Gaines the nickname “The Walking Blueprint,” a testament to his unmatched understanding of the campus’s underground utility systems. In addition to maintaining operations, Gaines also drew the blueprints for the university’s electrical systems, further cementing his importance to campus development.
Eddie Holloway, an event organizer and Hattiesburg community leader, said Gaines’ story had long been part of local history.
“Since childhood, I’d always heard of Mr. Blueprint throughout the neighborhood,” Holloway said. “Coming to the university, I always had an inkling of wanting his story told.”
Holloway said the effort to formally recognize Gaines gained support from university leadership, including President Joe Paul, leading to the plaque unveiling ceremony.
As Gaines neared retirement, university officials realized the depth of knowledge he carried. Massey said Gaines was asked to remain on the job for an additional year while professional engineers worked alongside him to document the underground systems he had memorized.
“They had professional engineers to draw blueprints,” Massey said. “It really was a remarkable occasion.”
Gaines retired on July 1, 1962, after helping engineers create a formal map of the campus utility systems to replace the knowledge he had carried mentally for decades.
Holloway said the recognition is not only about honoring Gaines’ contributions, but also about ensuring future generations understand the role he played in shaping the university.
Local leaders, including Hattiesburg Mayor Toby Barker, attended the ceremony, underscoring the broader community’s appreciation for Gaines’s impact.
University officials said they hope the plaque will serve as a lasting reminder of Gaines’ legacy and inspire students to learn more about the individuals whose work helped build the foundation of the campus.