Four Hardin-Simmons University degree candidates were singled out for exceptional accomplishment at commencement exercises on Saturday, May 12th. In a bow to the exceptional academic record of the HSU athletic program, student athletes received all of the undergraduate honors this Spring.

Virginia Aguilar receives the Olsen Medal

Virginia Aguilar, of Kalaheo, Kauai, Hawaii, a Business Administration in Computer Science major, was named the recipient of the Julius Nelson Olsen Medal. Named to the President’s List eight semesters, Aguilar demonstrated academic excellence while achieving a cumulative grade point average of 4.0, the Outstanding Computer Science Award, the Kelley-Tucker Honor Medal, and being named a Kelley-Tucker endowed Business Scholar. She is a member of Delta Mu Delta business honor society, Kappa Mu Epsilon mathematics honor society, and gamma Beta Phi national honor society.
She is a member of Epsilon Pi Alpha service sorority, Students in Free Enterprise, and served as President of the student chapter of the Association of Information Technology Professionals.

Aguilar played varsity volleyball for four years, is an Academic All-American 1st Team, American Southwest Conference Player of the Year, and was voted Most Valuable Player by her teammates. She is the daughter of Victor and Priscilla Aguilar.

Established in 1914, the Olsen Medal is awarded annually at Spring Commencement to the graduate who has the highest grade average, exemplifies the highest in scholarly achievement, and has completed 90 semester hours of residence credit at HSU.

Lauren Williams Schaub receives the Minnie L. Anderson Award

Lauren Williams Schaub was named the recipient of the Minnie L. Anderson Award. A Biology major, with a double minor in biochemistry and psychology, she was named to the President’s List for eight consecutive semesters, earning a cumulative 4.0 grade point average. A member of the Alpha Chi National Honor Society, an officer in Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society, and recipient of a Holland Scholarship, Schaub worked in the Richardson Library, and was a lab assistant and tutor for the Biology Department.

Active at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church, she is a volunteer for Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Meals on Wheels, Mission Abilene, and Love and Care Ministries. She is the daughter of Kirk and Cindy Williams of Lubbock, and is married to Paul Schaub. Schaub was a member of the varsity golf team for two years, was a varsity cheerleader, and a was active in numerous intramural sports.

The award is presented to a senior woman who excels in character, personal development, service to the university, and completes three or more years of residence credit at HSU.


Roy Lehman receives the George Skiles Anderson Award

Roy Lehman, of Vernon, Texas, a Biology major an Biochemistry minor, is the recipient of the George Skiles Anderson Award. Named to the Presidents List 8 consecutive semesters, he has a cumulative grade point average of 4.0. Lehman is a member of Gamma Beta Phi service fraternity, a Who’s Who Among American College Students, won the HSU Board of Young Associates Tomorrow’s Leaders Today award, and the Holland Medal as the top Biology student graduating in 2007. He received the Holland Scholarship in Biology, has been named to the National Dean’s List for 3 years, is a member of Beta Beta Beta Biological honor Society, Alpha Chi National honor Society, and the national Scholar’s Honor Society. Active in the pre-health club, he also served as vice president of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee at HSU.

The award is presented to a senior man who excels in character, personal development, service to the university, and completes three or more years in-residence at HSU.

Lehman has volunteered with Meals on wheels, big Brothers/Big Sisters, participated I a mission trip to Acuna, Mexico, worked with Broadway Baptist Church’s children’s ministry, operated a free tennis clinic in Vernon, Texas, volunteers at Abilene Children’s Medical Center, worked as a student researcher on the Chemistry department’s Welch Foundation grant, and shadowed several physicians in Abilene, Lubbock, Dallas, and Houston.

Lehman played varsity tennis for four years at HSU, serving as team captain throughout that time. He was the American Southwest Conference freshman of the year in tennis, nated to the Conference All Academic team from 2004-2006, named Academic All-American, all conference first team, and he and his partner won the conference doubles crown in 2005.

He is a violinist, an F.A.A. certified private pilot, and a tutor for Biology and Chemistry. The son of Mark and Deana begins medical school in the fall at Texas A&M University in College Station.

Adam Poynor receives the Hemphill Graduate Honor Award

Adam Poynor, an Abilene, Texas, native and candidate for the master of Music in Choral Conducting, was named the recipient of the Hemphill Graduate Honor Award.

The Hemphill Award is presented each May by the Graduate School to the student who excels in academic studies, possesses character and behavior consistent with the university’s purpose, and exhibits potential for significant contribution to his or her chosen field. Endowed by Dr. Lee Hemphill and Mrs. Lunelle Hemphill, the award is presented each year at the May commencement and includes a plaque and cash award.

A 2005 graduate of Hardin-Simmons University and 2004 Presser Award winner, Poynor
maintained a perfect 4.0 grade point average during his graduate studies. He is a member of the music honor society, Pi Kappa Lambda, and the Abilene First Baptist Church Sanctuary Choir. He taught with the Abilene Performing Arts Center, provided instruction in German and French Diction as a graduate assistant, conducted the Albany Community Chorus, and was musical director and conductor for HSU’s spring production of Mozart’s opera “The Impresario.” He is the son of Kenneth and Dolores Poynor.