Hardin–Simmons University

Hardin–Simmons University (HSU) is a private Baptist university in Abilene, Texas.

Hardin–Simmons University
MottoAn Education Enlightened by Faith
TypePrivate
Established1891
AffiliationBaptist General Convention of Texas
EndowmentUS$ 87.1 million[1]
PresidentEric Bruntmyer
Students2,392[2]
Undergraduates1,882
Postgraduates510
Location
Abilene
,
Texas
,
United States
CampusUrban, 209 acres (0.85 km2)
ColorsPurple and Gold[3]
         
Sporting affiliations
NCAA Division III – ASC
MascotCowboy
Websitewww.hsutx.edu

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 purpose of the school would be "to lead students to Christ, teach them of Christ, and train them for Christ." The original land was donated to the university by rancher C.W. Merchant. It was the first school of higher education established in Texas west of Fort Worth. The school was renamed Simmons College in 1892 in honor of an early contributor, James B. Simmons. By 1907 it claimed an enrollment of 524 and a staff of 49.[4] In 1925, it became Simmons University. It was renamed Hardin–Simmons University in 1934 in honor of Mary and John G. Hardin, who were also major contributors.[5] The university has been associated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas since 1941.

The university publicly experienced financial challenges in the late 2010s continuing into 2020 as the state and the Baptist General Convention of Texas reduced the funding levels of programs in which the university participates. In 2018, the university ended 9 undergraduate and 4 graduate programs and closed 5 campus extensions (Logsdon Seminary campuses in Coppell, Lubbock, Corpus Christi and McAllen; Acton MBA Program in Austin). These changes also included terminations of staff and faculty.[6] Two years later, in 2020, the university announced that it would close Logsdon Seminary and end an additional 22 academic programs with accompanying terminations of staff and faculty.[7][8]

Presidents
  • 1892–1894           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 Henry Cooper
  • 1909–1940           Dr. Jefferson Davis Sandefer, Sr.
  • 1940–1940           Dr. Lucian Q. Campbell  (acting president)
  • 1940–1943           Dr. William R. White      
  • 1943–1953           Dr. Rupert N. Richardson–Wrote the personal reflection, 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        
  • 2009–2016           Dr. Lanny Hall    
  • 2016–                   Eric Bruntmyer J.D.         

Academics

HSU 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, as well as Doctor of Education, Doctor of Ministry and a Doctor of Science degrees.[9]

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 12:1.[2]

Rankings

In 2016, U.S. News & World Report ranked Hardin-Simmons 33 among Regional Universities in the West.[10] That same year, Princeton Review included the university among its Best Western Colleges.[11]

Campus life

HSU's Student Activities host an event 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 recreational sports, various academic clubs, the World Famous Cowboy Band, Spurs Dance Team, and HSU Cheerleaders.

Opportunities also exist 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 in which students can participate. Baptist Student Ministries (BSM) offers free noon lunches for students every Wednesday. The BSM provides possibilities for students to get involved in Bible study groups and go on mission trips, in addition to hosting concerts and other campus events.

Campus resources include career services, a writing center, academic advisors, library services, faculty mentors, disability services, health services, peer mentors, and counseling. HSU’s grounds include six residence halls and three apartment complexes. Campus infrastructure is built in classic brick architecture, and the school’s golden-domed, red brick clock tower serves as its signature building, along with the 30 by 41-ft stained glass wall of Logsdon chapel, on the campus' southeast corner. HSU was named one of the 50 Most Beautiful Christian Colleges and Universities in 2017.

Western Heritage Day

Western Heritage Day is an annual celebration of the heritage and way of life in the American frontier that has occurred since the Abilene Centennial Celebration in 1981. The event is held on the HSU campus and includes activities such as trick roping, pit branding, chuck wagon snacks, and a small farm animal petting area. The activities have become a fun educational opportunity for Abilene-area elementary school-aged children.[12]

Athletics

Hardin–Simmons was a member of the Border Intercollegiate Athletic Association from 1941 to 1961,[13] during which time the football team won three conference championships.[14] For the first 15 years after HSU restarted its football program (1990–2005), the Hardin–Simmons Cowboy football team had the best winning percentage (77.4%) of all Texan college football programs.[15]

HSU athletics now plays in the American Southwest Conference, and as of November 2016 had won 75 conference titles, the most of any school.[16]

Hardin–Simmons is a Division 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). Women's soccer has been HSU's single-most successful athletic program with 22 ASC Conference Championships in the 1996-2019 period, and an NCAA Division III National Championship title in 2010.[17]

Notable alumni

Notable faculty
  • B. W. Aston, historian
  • Wayne Millner (1913–1976), American football player
  • Rupert N. Richardson, historian
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References
  1. 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. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 14, 2017. Retrieved March 3, 2010.
  2. "College Navigator - Hardin-Simmons University". nces.ed.gov.
  3. Hardin–Simmons University Academic Style Guide. January 1, 2017. Retrieved August 2, 2017.
  4. Directory of Abilene, Texas, 1907–08. Fort Worth, Texas: The Fort Worth Directory Company. 1907. p. viii. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
  5. Handbook of Texas Online, s.v. "Hardin-Simmons University" (accessed January 8, 2007).
  6. Chipp, Timothy (October 15, 2018). "Hardin-Simmons University president announces layoffs, program closures in Monday email". Abilene Reporter News.
  7. Hollingsworth, Joey (February 7, 2020). "HSU to cut Logsdon Seminary programs". KTAB/KRBC. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
  8. Hollingsworth, Joey (February 14, 2020). "Hardin-Simmons cutting 22 programs, more than 31 faculty & staff positions". KTAB/KRBC. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
  9. "Graduate Programs". hsutx.edu. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  10. "Best Colleges". US News & World Report. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
  11. "2017 Best Colleges: Region by Region". Princeton Review. Princeton Review. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
  12. Timothy Chipp, "HSU goes back in time for 35th Western Heritage Day", Abilene Reporter News, April 20, 2017
  13. "Hardin-Simmons Cowboys School History". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
  14. "Conference Champions". cfbdatawarehouse.com.
  15. McFarland, John (29 August 2005). "HSU Boasts Best Team in Texas". Archived from the original on 2007-08-15. Retrieved 24 August 2010.
  16. "All-Time Conference Champions, Division Champions, NCAA Participants, TIAA Records" (PDF). March 29, 2017.
  17. "Div III Women's Soccer Championship History". November 13, 2019.
  18. "Hardin-Simmons University". Soylent Communications. Retrieved 24 August 2010.

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