HSU Insider

Led Hardin-Simmons University to Prominence as Tier One Institution.

In an announcement made public today, Dr. W. Craig Turner, Hardin-Simmons University’s 14th president, will relinquish the position effective May 31, 2008. Dr. Turner will become president of Catawba College, a private liberal arts institution located in Salisbury, North Carolina. “The two most important words in this transition are the names Payton and Madeline—the names of my grand-daughters. This position is an opportunity to be near family, and that’s been the critical factor in this decision,� says Dr. Turner.

Dr. W. Craig Turner

Inaugurated on September 11, 2001, during the attack on the World Trade Towers, the Browning scholar presented a bold vision for the University during his inauguration address. “With all due respect to our friends and colleagues from other institutions in the state, my dream in 2001 is for Hardin-Simmons to become the best small Christian university in the Southwest.� In meeting and exceeding his goals to raise the endowment, establish an honors program, dedicate significant resources to community outreach, and improve spirit, pride, and ownership of the University by all its constituents, Dr. Turner not only moved Hardin-Simmons University into the Top Tier of peer universities, but to the top of all Baptist General Convention of Texas affiliated universities of similar size.

Although his legacy might be the financial strength and elite academic standing he brought to HSU, Dr. Turner insists that working with the University family has been his most satisfying accomplishment. “Just having the opportunity to work with people like the vice presidents, deans, directors, faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors—it’s been phenomenal. That, by far, tops the chart in terms of accomplishments. We’re very proud of the endowment, and I was privileged to be a part of the beginning of the physical therapy program, the honors program, the leadership program—all great additions to the institution. But the things I’ll take away from Hardin-Simmons will be the relationships with the people.�

During almost seven years at the helm of Hardin-Simmons University, Dr. Turner’s achievements are formidable:

• The endowment and similar funds grew from $72 million to $125 million—insuring the University’s financial stability regardless of national economic trends. Only Baylor University, among Texas Baptist Universities, has a larger endowment.

• Total enrollment reached record levels—2,435 this year—necessitating a move to managed growth as the University nears its enrollment cap and becomes more exclusive. Only 26% of students who apply to HSU were admitted this year versus 54% in 2004.

• Establishing the Honors Program and the Leland Honors Scholarships, fostering intense competition among the region’s top academic performers for admission to HSU.

• The Securing the Future campaign reached it’s goal a year early—more than doubling previous efforts with a total of $49.7 million in funds raised.

• The Skiles Building, Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing Building, the Alumni Wall, and the Holland Health Sciences Building (a historic collaboration between a university and public school district to build a magnet school on a university campus), Linebery Boulevard, and the Linebery Clock Tower were completed, and the Grape Street Athletic Complex is in the advanced phase of construction. As executive vice president, he was instrumental in the design and construction of the Connally Missions Center.

• Major renovations were completed to Caldwell Hall, Hunter Hall (converting the former lobby into the Dyess Welcome Center), Cowden-Paxton, Richardson Library, Sandefer Building, and the University heating and air conditioning plant. Other refinements include relighting the campus, and the effluent water project.

• Established endowments for the Kelley College of Business, the Cynthia Ann Parker College of Liberal Arts, the Shelton-Lacewell Endowed Chair in Physical Therapy, the Dodge Jones Chair in Reading Disabilities, and innumerable endowed scholarships.

• Established Logsdon Seminary, including an extension campus at Wayland Baptist University, partnered with the Acton School of Business in Austin, Texas (an MBA program affiliated with HSU), secured reaccreditation for the University through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and accreditation for Logsdon Seminary through the Association of Theological Schools. Initiated quality enhancement initiative in ethics education for pre-professional degree programs, and laid the groundwork for a Doctor of Divinity and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program.

Dr. Turner expects the University trustees to move quickly to form a search committee to select his successor, and he be believes the University is well positioned for the next step, whomever steps into the position. “Dr. Hall built on what Dr. Fletcher did, I’ve had an opportunity to build on what Dr. Hall did, and that’s been a great stair-step progression to watch as the institution continues to grow and advance. There are some opportunities to grow some doctoral programs, for example in the School of Theology and perhaps a Doctor of Psychology, plus there are opportunities to work with health care—the sciences are looking for an undergraduate degree in health sciences that would help prepare people for a number of health sciences careers. I think the addition of the track and field program will bring some new students in and I think the oil boom will make our endowment grow, so the opportunities are very real and significant for the next step.�

Dr. Turner sees significant challenges at Catawba, “Their endowment is in need of strengthening, and that’s something I know something about. I also think they need to look at some new programs. They are in the heart of the financial center of that part of the country, and they don’t have a finance major at the college. That’s something I can look at from the outside and say ‘gee whiz’ with all the opportunities, this is something you need to look at.�
Dr. Turner, who joined Hardin-Simmons University’s administration and faculty in 1992, served as vice president for academic affairs from 1992 to 1996. He then became executive vice president and chief academic officer until becoming chief operating officer in June 2000. Dr. Turner served as executive vice president and chief operating officer at HSU for a year before becoming the 14th president.

Uncertainty can accompany any change in leadership, but Dr. Turner offers assurances that the succession will be virtually transparent to the Hardin-Simmons family, “HSU has a great Board of Trustees. They will be concerned that the institution continues moving in the direction it has been moving, and I’m sure they will look for a president who wants to continue the same kinds of growth, programs, and successes that we’ve had—probably a different vision, but the same general directions. The administrative council (the vice presidents) are all veterans committed to what they are doing. They love Hardin-Simmons and they work extremely well together, so the day-to-day operations of the University are not going to change a bit—not even a small speed bump of change.�

“One thing the HSU family has to look forward to, is that rejuvenation process that happens when new blood comes in. Someone else may bring in a little more energy and some fresh ideas, and we should welcome that. I know the HSU family will be supportive of the next person because they’ve been tremendously supportive of me—and I can’t thank them enough.�

Near the end of his inauguration address Dr. Turner said, “Browning has written: ‘Would you have your songs endure, Build on the Human heart.’ Hardin-Simmons is all about people and their dreams.� He will take those relationships and dreams with him as he leaves for Catawba, “I can offer nothing but thanks and best wishes, and I can promise that my prayers and support will continue here. Annette and I are leaving behind three endowed scholarships that we will continue to contribute to, because we very much believe in Hardin-Simmons and what it stands for. My time here has been so pleasant because of the support and encouragement the HSU family has given me, and I can only hope that I get a percentage of that at Catawba.�

A careful examination of Baptist heritage is the new offering by Dr. Ronnie Prevost, professor of Church Ministry in the Logsdon School of Theology. A Distinctive Baptist Church: Renewing Your Church in Practice, published by Smyth & Helwys, will be released for distribution this February and will be available from the publisher and in selected book stores.

“So many Baptists today have forgotten what it means – beyond the mode of baptism – to be Baptist,� says Dr. Prevost, “They have forgotten their heritage. Countless Baptist forebears bought and wrote that heritage with their blood. It is not so much whether or not we remember and honor their names; what is important is whether we honor the legacy they left.�

Dr. Prevost asserts that mere excitement about Baptist heritage is not enough, that it matters little if not lived and shown in the churches. The book attempts to show how Baptist doctrine should influence worship, evangelism, missions, and education ministries in Baptist churches.

According to Dr. Prevost, A Distinctively Baptist Church explains how historically Baptist beliefs can and should shape the way a church functions; the study questions and downloadable teaching guide offer churches a means to work through how their Baptist heritage will shape their life and witness. “A Distinctively Baptist Church challenges readers to become – and lead their churches to become – Baptist not only in name, but in truth,� according to Dr. Prevost.

Previous to his current position, he served on the faculties of Gardner-Webb University, Samford University, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has been a pastor in Mississippi and Alaska and has served as interim pastor at more than twenty churches in eight states.

He has contributed to two books, the Mercer Dictionary of the Bible (Mercer University Press, 1990) and Forging a Better Religious Education for the Third Millenium (Religious Education Press, 2000). With James Reed, he co-authored A History of Christian Education (Broadman & Holman, 1993). He also authored Evangelical Protestant Gifts to Religious Education (Smyth & Helwys, 2000).

The publisher is accepting pre-orders at margi@helwys.com

The Holland Health Science Building, the new home of the Abilene Independent School District’s Holland Medical High School, will be formally dedicated Thursday, Feb 7, at 10:00 a.m. on the Hardin-Simmons University Campus.

Texas State Representative Susan King joins HSU President Dr. Craig Turner, AISD Superintendant Dr. David Polnick, and the Abilene Chamber of Commerce Red Coats to honor David “Scotty� Holland, who provided the naming gift for the facility in this unique collaboration between a university and public school district. Holland, an HSU alumnus and athlete, went on to become president and CEO of Pennzoil Exploration and Production Company, and later endowed the Holland School of Sciences and Mathematics. The Dodge Jones Foundation, Mabee Foundation, Shelton Family Foundation, Dian Graves Owen Foundation, and other HSU donors also made significant contributions to the project.

First day of classes in the new Holland High School

The magnet school is a first-of-its-kind project built entirely by the University, on the University campus, to benefit students of the AISD Health Science Technology Program. The two academic classrooms and four labs on the first floor of the 22,000 square foot building are maintained by Hardin-Simmons University, and AISD provides curriculum, technology, and staffing. The second floor of the building houses additional lab space for HSU science and mathematics students.

As Abilene and the surrounding areas continue to expand and develop, it is becoming increasingly necessary to have the means to provide the local medical industry with qualified and trained healthcare professionals. Both HSU and AISD recognize the need to implement mechanisms to train and prepare students to enter the local healthcare industry.

Classes began Jan 7 for the 200 students currently enrolled in the Abilene and Cooper High School Health Science Technology Program. Students completing courses of study can receive industry-recognized certifications as pharmacy technicians, emergency medical technicians--basic, phlebotomy technicians, and certified nurse aides, as well as several levels of first aid and CPR. Recent graduates of the program are currently enrolled in pre-medical and pre-pharmacy programs throughout the country, including Johns-Hopkins University, Baylor University, and the Honors Program at Texas Tech University.

Located at the corner of Cedar Street and Vogel Avenue, the ribbon-cutting will occur on the southern-most steps at the main entrance (weather permitting). After the formal dedication, a reception with heavy hors d’oeuvres will be held in the upstairs lecture room as HSU “Purple Coats� give tours of the state of the art facility.

Earlier this month 13 HSU theatre majors and minors, along with seven sponsors, flew to London for a close up look at the sights, sounds, and institutions that influenced and defined western theatre.

The students hit the ground running. An overnight flight through several time zones had everyone’s internal clocks out of synch, so their hosts hoped a day of walking, with brief rides on the tube (London’s subway) would help everyone resist the temptation to fall asleep. Destinations included Piccadilly Circus, Charing Cross and Covent Garden, with a hearty meal at a Spanish restaurant at day’s end. The plan worked and body clocks quickly adjusted to the time difference. No one had trouble sleeping that night.

Students at the National Theatre

The third day’s activities read like a brochure of must-see London locales: Hyde Park, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, the Tower Bridge, and St. Paul’s Cathedral. Everyone was famished by the time they stopped for dinner in Chinatown.

After this frenzied introduction to London, the pace slowed a bit with a trip to the Tower of London. A Yeoman Warder (or Beefeater) regaled the group with stories of the tower’s more unfortunate residents. His colorful accounts of the gruesome early days in the Tower’s history left more than one student in need of some fresh air and a little distraction, and everyone was relieved when the next stop showcased the crown jewels and not a chopping block. Dinner (English food finally) was followed by a visit to the Apollo Theatre to see the musical “Wicked.�
In the days that followed, students attended a workshop at a reproduction of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre (the original burned in 1613 and again in 1644), visited his childhood home at Stratford-upon-Avon, and attended several plays in London. The group had a chance to visit the National Theatre (where the group photo is taken) and the Drury Lane Theatre Royal (for a production of “The Lord of the Rings� musical, and Oxford before making the long return flight home.