Hardin–Simmons University: Difference between revisions
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==History== |
==History== |
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[[image:CaldwellBuilding.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Caldwell Fine Arts Building]] |
[[image:CaldwellBuilding.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Caldwell Fine Arts Building]] |
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Hardin–Simmons University was founded as Abilene Baptist College in 1891 by the Sweetwater Baptist Association and a group of cattlemen and pastors who sought to bring Christian higher education to the Southwest. The original land was donated to the university by rancher C.W. Merchant. HSU |
Hardin–Simmons University was founded as Abilene Baptist College in 1891 by the Sweetwater Baptist Association and a group of cattlemen and pastors who sought to bring Christian higher education to the Southwest. The original land was donated to the university by rancher C.W. Merchant. HSU was the first school of higher education established west of Fort Worth. The college was renamed Simmons College in 1892 in honor of an early contributor, [[James B. Simmons (clergyman)]]. In 1925, it became Simmons University. It was once again renamed to Hardin–Simmons University in 1934 in honor of Mary and John G. Hardin who were also major contributors.<ref>''Handbook of Texas Online'', s.v. "Hardin-Simmons University" http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/HH/kbh2.html (accessed January 8, 2007).</ref> The University has been associated with the [[Baptist General Convention of Texas]] since 1941. |
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==West Texas Historical Association== |
==West Texas Historical Association== |
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Revision as of 16:51, 7 May 2010
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| Motto | An Education Enlightened by Faith |
|---|---|
| Type | Private |
| Established | 1891 |
| Affiliation | Baptist |
| Endowment | US$87.1 million[1] |
| Students | 2,435 |
| Undergraduates | 1,997 |
| Postgraduates | 438 |
| 73 | |
| Location | , , |
| Campus | Urban, 209 acres (0.85 km2) |
| Colors | Purple and Gold |
| Mascot | Cowboy / Cowgirl |
| Website | http://www.hsutx.edu/ |
Hardin–Simmons University (or HSU) is a private Baptist university located in Abilene, Texas.
History
Hardin–Simmons University was founded as Abilene Baptist College in 1891 by the Sweetwater Baptist Association and a group of cattlemen and pastors who sought to bring Christian higher education to the Southwest. The original land was donated to the university by rancher C.W. Merchant. HSU was the first school of higher education established west of Fort Worth. The college was renamed Simmons College in 1892 in honor of an early contributor, James B. Simmons (clergyman). In 1925, it became Simmons University. It was once again renamed to Hardin–Simmons University in 1934 in honor of Mary and John G. Hardin who were also major contributors.[2] The University has been associated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas since 1941.
West Texas Historical Association
The West Texas Historical Association, which met for twenty-two years on the Hardin-Simmons campus, was chartered on April 19, 1924, at the Taylor County Courthouse in Abilene. Royston Campbell Crane, Sr., an attorney from Sweetwater, the seat of Nolan County, first proposed establishment of the association. He was the son of William Carey Crane, an historian who had served as a president of Baptist-affiliated Baylor University in Waco. Six Abilene residents were also influential in the formation of the group: Rupert N. Richardson, later president of Hardin-Simmons; William Curry Holden, then of Methodist-affiliated McMurry College and later first president of the Museum of Texas Tech University in Lubbock; L.G. Kennamer of Abilene Christian University, a Church of Christ institution; and J.M. Radford, Laura J.D. Scarborough, and B.E. Glammery. Other strong supporters of the movement included , James W. Hunt and Jefferson D. Sandefer, then the presidents of McMurry and Hardin-Simmons (then called Simmons College). From the original 24 members, the organization grew in sixty years to nearly 400, including 127 libraries. The original officers were Crane, president; Richardson, secretary, and Scarborough, treasurer. In 1929, the association received a 50-year charter of incorporation from the state. In 1998, after B W Aston, historian at Hardin-Simmons, left the position of WTHA executive director, the association moved to Texas Tech and became integral to the Southwest Collection.[3]
Academics
HSU is a fully accredited university and offers six undergraduate degrees with 70 majors, and seven graduate degrees with 18 programs. Pre-professional programs include dentistry, engineering, medicine, law, pharmacology, physical therapy, and seminary. HSU offers courses in geography, Greek, Hebrew, humanities, and physical sciences, as well. The university offers a doctorate in physical therapy, the first in Texas which is open to private citizens.
HSU students come from diverse backgrounds and a variety of Christian denominations. With an approximate enrollment of 2,500 students, the student-to-teacher ratio is 14:1.
Mission statement
HSU is a community dedicated to providing excellence in education enlightened by Christan faith and values.
Campus Life
HSU's Student Activities host an even on campus almost every week of the semester, including concerts, movie nights, dances, game nights, pool parties, SMORES cookouts, volleyball tournaments, and much more. The Basement of the Student Center is a place for students to hang out and relax. It is complete with giant flat-screen TVs, cutting-edge gaming systems, bowling, pool, and ping-pong, all which can be used for free.
Hardin-Simmons offers numerous opportunities to get involved: All-School SING, Campus Recreations, Greek Life, Six White Horses, Student Congress, Student Activities, International Club, International Student Fellowship, The Brand, The Bronco, Intramurals and Rec Sports, Various Academic Clubs, The World Famous Cowboy Band, Spurs Dance Team, and HSU Cheerleaders.
There are also several opportunities for students to minister to each other and to the extended Christian community at HSU. Chapel services are held weekly for the entire student body. Neighborhood outreach programs are also available for students to participate in. Baptist Student Ministries (BSM) offers free noon lunches for students every Wednesday. The BSM provides possibilities f or students to get involved in Bible Study groups and go on mission trips, in addition to hosting concerts and other campus events.
Athletics
Hardin-Simmons was a member of the Border Intercollegiate Athletic Association, from 1941-1961. The football team won 2 conference championships and 1 co-championship.
Since the start of the American Southwest Conference play in 1997, the Hardin-Simmons athletic program has been the most dominant all-around sports program in the conference with 56 ASC team titles. HSU claims 674 players who were named to academic All-ASC teams, 49 ASC Coach of the Year titles for HSU coaches, 43 players have been named ASC Player of the Year, 20 players were named ASC Freshman of the Year, and three athletes have been named ASC male or female athlete of the Year in the American Southwest Conference[citation needed].
On a regional and national scale, HSU has had 39 first team All-Americans, 72 overall All-Americans, in addition to having 37 teams advance to NCAA Championship play, one national Player of the Year, four national Player of the Year finalists, one Texas Woman of the Year, 76 academic All-District selections, 28 academic All-Americans, and 119 All-Region performers[citation needed].
Hardin-Simmons is a D-III school and offers 18 varsity sports for men and women, including: Football, Volleyball, Baseball, Softball, Soccer (men/women), Tennis (men/women), Basketball (men/women), Cross Country (men/women), Track (men/women), and Golf (men/women).
Presidents
| 1892–1894 | The Rev. W.C. Friley |
| 1894–1898 | Dr. George O. Thatcher |
| 1898–1901 | Dr. O.C. Pope |
| 1901–1902 | The Rev. C.R. Hairfield |
| 1902–1909 | Dr. Oscar H. Cooper |
| 1909–1940 | Dr. Jefferson Davis Sandefer, Sr. |
| 1940 | Dr. Lucian Q. Campbell (acting president) |
| 1940–1943 | Dr. William R. White |
| 1943–1953 | Dr. Rupert N. Richardson, historian of West Texas. Richardson wrote his personal reflection entitled Famous Are Thy Halls: Hardin–Simmons University As I Have Known It (1964). |
| 1953–1962 | Dr. Evan Allard Reiff |
| 1962–1963 | Dr. George L. Graham (interim) |
| 1963–1966 | Dr. James H. Landes |
| 1966–1977 | Dr. Elwin L. Skiles |
| 1977–1991 | Dr. Jesse C. Fletcher |
| 1991–2001 | Dr. Lanny Hall |
| 2001–2008 | Dr. W. Craig Turner |
| 2009- | Dr. Lanny Hall |
Awards / Distinctions
2007
- US News and World Report America's Best Colleges 2007.
- Princeton Review Best Western Colleges 2007.
2006
- Colleges of Distinction 2006.
- US News and World Report America's Best Colleges 2006.
- Princeton Review Best Western Colleges 2006.
The Hardin-Simmons Cowboy Football team is the Winningest team in the state of Texas[citation needed].
Notable alumni
- Fess Parker — portrayed Davy Crockett in the Davy Crockett miniseries on Walt Disney's ABC miniseries and Daniel Boone on NBC's Daniel Boone
- John Leland Atwood — former chief engineer for North American Aviation instrumental in the production of the P-51 Mustang and B-25 Mitchell
- Dan Blocker — played the role of Hoss on the 1960s American TV show Bonanza[4]
- Doyle "Texas Dolly" Brunson — Poker Legend
- Victor G. Carrillo — member of the Railroad Commission of Texas, former Taylor County county judge
- Harvey Catchings — former NBA basketball player
- Don Collier — western film and television actor
- Jack Graham — Pastor, Prestonwood Baptist Church, former president of Southern Baptist Convention
- Leighton Paige Patterson — former President of the Southern Baptist Convention and current President of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
- Rupert N. Richardson — president of Hardin-Simmons from 1943–1953
- Byron Roberts Sr. — professional baseball player
- Clyde "Bulldog" Turner — member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame
- George E. "Buddy" West — former Texas state representative
- Willis Whitfield — inventor of the Cleanroom
- Phil Wilson — Former Secretary of State of Texas
- C.V. Wood — entrepreneur who relocated London Bridge to Lake Havasu, Arizona
External links
References
- ^ As of June 30, 2009. "U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2009 Endowment Market Value and Percentage Change in Endowment Market Value from FY 2008 to FY 2009" (PDF). 2009 NACUBO-Commonfund Study of Endowments. National Association of College and University Business Officers. Retrieved March 3, 2010.
- ^ Handbook of Texas Online, s.v. "Hardin-Simmons University" http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/HH/kbh2.html (accessed January 8, 2007).
- ^ "[[Ernest Wallace]], "West Texas Historical Association"". tshaonline.org. Retrieved October 10, 2009.
{{cite web}}: URL–wikilink conflict (help) - ^ Hardin Simmons University
- Educational institutions established in 1891
- Liberal arts colleges
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
- National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities
- Universities and colleges affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention
- Universities and colleges affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas
- Taylor County, Texas