Hardin-Simmons University President Dr. Craig Turner announced that Leland Harden, director of University Communications, will become the new Vice President of Institutional Advancement; stepping into the position being vacated by Mr. Wayne Roy.

Harden will continue to drive HSU marketing initiatives while assuming the additional responsibilities of leading University development efforts. Although the change is effective 1 Jan, 2007, as Vice President Elect, Harden will begin the transition immediately.

Leland has already worked out a way to be in two places at once:

“I am humbled and inspired by this opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the great names in this role like Childers, Hemphill, Styles, and Roy,” says Harden, “I’m confident that our outstanding staff will continue to exceed the University’s goals as we further HSU’s divine mission.”

Harden is a 1984 graduate of HSU with a BBA degree in Management. In his career as a serial entrepreneur, he launched companies in New York City and San Francisco, working extensively with angel investors, venture capitalists, and investment bankers. In these efforts, he successfully participated in raising more than $100 million for various enterprises.

He co-authored three books relating to online marketing, including what many consider the primer of online marketing, Net Results: Web Marketing that Works. He followed with Net Results.2, The Auction-App and was frequently published in numerous industry journals. In March 2001, Harden agreed to join the New Economy Council, which advises the President of the United States on issues relating to online business.

In February of 2004, Harden was honored as one of HSU’s first Outstanding Young Alumni award recipients, and at that time he felt a calling to return to HSU and use his talents on behalf of the University. Harden has since been responsible for a marked improvement in the overall HSU brand image, its publications, and the consolidation of the brand message. Under his direction, the office of University Communications won 3 gold Addy Awards, 2 silver Addy awards, and 3 bronze Addy awards.

By an interesting family coincidence, Leland’s great-uncle, J.L. “Red” Harden, served God as business manager at Wayland Baptist University and vice president of development at California Baptist University, in Riverside, California, until his retirement in 1978.

Leland and his family are members of First Baptist Church, Abilene, where he serves as a deacon. The former HSU Cowboy Band Drum Major also serves as the Cowboy Band Foundation President, and as a board member for the Grace Museum. He has served as a founding member of the the West Texas sports Expo and a founding director of the Abilene Public Relations Organization.