Twelve Hardin-Simmons University social work students helped launch the Abilene Right Weigh Project Pedometer Partner Program at Jane Long Elementary during a presentation on May 7. The program matches businesses, organizations, or groups with local schools to create pedometer walking wellness programs as part of an effort to address the issue of childhood obesity. Approximately 275 Jane Long Elementary students and staff assembled for the kick-off presentation at the elementary school.

The 12 HSU students chose to become a Pedometer Partner as part of a class project involving community service. The group raised $1,600 to purchase equipment and supplies, including pedometer kits for each classroom. With the pedometers, the children will measure steps taken and miles walked, increasing activity levels. Classes also incorporate the pedometer numbers into math, science, and geography lessons.

"The goal of the Pedometer Partner Program is to address the childhood obesity epidemic in our community through teaching kids a fun, simple way to get the activity they need," said Marka Riddle, registered dietician at Hendrick Medical Center. "We are excited to have this group of HSU students make the Pedometer Partner Program a reality for another one of our local schools."

Posted by Dave Coffield · May 14, 2008 9:23 AM · Comments (0)

On Friday, May 9, the board of directors of Connecting Caring Communities unveiled the W. Craig Turner Award in honor of Hardin-Simmons University president Craig Turner.

Linda Carleton, director, presents the award to Dr. Turner

The W. Craig Turner Award is in recognition of Dr. Craig Turner's vision for a community of neighbors helping neighbors and his willingness to lend his leadership and support for the development of a community renewal program in Abilene, Texas. The establishment of Connecting Caring Communities (CCC) is a direct result of Dr. Turner's generosity in sharing the success of the pilot program at HSU with the entire Abilene community. CCC now exists to further develop the renewal of neighbors helping neighbors and mutually enhancing relationships as the foundation for a sustainable community.

The award will be given to an outstanding person, family, or partner who exemplifies the practice of this vision in a remarkable way. The recipient will be determined by the board of directors from nominations made by staff or others directly involved with one of the three Connecting Caring Communities strategies: Caring Team, Haven Houses, or Internal Care Unit (Friendship House) neighborhoods.

The CCC board of directors chose to honor Turner as he takes a new role outside of Abilene. Turner has been an invaluable resource, supporter, partner, and encourager for CCC since its inception. Dr. Turner said he was humbled by the honor and grateful for the great work Connecting Caring Communities is doing in Abilene.

Posted by Dave Coffield · May 14, 2008 8:57 AM · Comments (0)

Hilton Hemphill, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Hardin-Simmons University, announced today the engagement of Jon McRae and Associates, Inc.
a nationally recognized executive search firm based in Atlanta, to serve as consultants to its Presidential Search and Search Advisory Committees as they seeks a successor for President Craig Turner, who has served with distinction since 2001.

The McRae firm has served higher education since 1984 and has conducted 47
presidential searches for independent and church-related institutions. Jon McRae will serve as our Lead Consultant and will be on campus in the next few weeks to meet with the Presidential Search and Search Advisory Committees, and representatives of other constituencies.

Nominations and expressions of interest should be directed to Jon McRae and
Associates, Inc. All inquiries will be treated confidentially, and Jon McRae or one of his associates will be happy to speak privately with interested parties. Their contact information is:

Jon McRae & Associates, Inc.
3333 Riverwood Parkway
Suite 310
Atlanta GA 30339
Email: jma@jonmcrae.com
770-272-9040

Posted by Dave Coffield · May 14, 2008 8:55 AM · Comments (0)

Four Hardin-Simmons University degree candidates were singled out for exceptional accomplishment at commencement exercises on Saturday, May 10th.

Jodi Zachry of Abilene, a speech-language pathology major and psychology minor, was named the recipient of the Julius Nelson Olsen Medal. She managed a high level of academic performance while working at HSU full-time as a staff member, first serving in the registrar's office for two years, and for the past eight years, as the administrative assistant to the Dean of the Holland School of Sciences and Mathematics, all while achieving and maintaining a cumulative grade point average of 4.00.

Zachary

A member of the Alpha Chi National Honor Society, she received the Holland Medal for the Speech-Language Pathology Outstanding Graduate Award this spring.

Balancing academics with a family, our honoree is married and has three children. She and her family are active members of Crescent Heights Baptist Church in Abilene. Serving as the only full-time staff employee for the Holland School, she coordinates activities for over 20 full-time and five part-time faculty members and supervises more than a dozen student workers. She is the daughter of Mary and the late Loyd Hazelton of Abilene and the wife of Russell Zachry.

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.

Beth Craig was named the recipient of the Minnie L. Anderson Award. A mathematics major, with a minor in business administration, Craig distinguished herself in academics, athletics and service through tutoring other students. She was a member of the varsity soccer team for four years, earning academic all-region, and was named to the all-conference and all-tournament this year. She maintained a perfect 4.0 grade point average.

Craig

She is a member of Gamma Beta Phi National Honor Society and a member of Kappa Mu Epsilon National Honor Society in mathematics. She has made the President's List each of her eight semesters at Hardin-Simmons. She has received The Dean's Scholarship, the Eiland Mathematics Scholarship and a Holland Scholarship. She was recipient of the Freshman Mathematics Award, the Burnam Award in mathematics, and the Holland Medal in mathematics. In addition to all of her academic and athletic activities, she has also taught Mother's Day Out classes. The Midland, Texas, native is the daughter of Jan and Ken Craig.

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.

McKade Marshall, of Tuscola, Texas, an accounting major with a double minor in mathematics and computer science, is the recipient of the George Skiles Anderson Award. He made the President's list and the National Dean's List and was named in Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities. He received the USAA All-American Scholar Award, the USAA Business Merit Award, the USAA Computer Science Award, and the Outstanding Freshman in Mathematics Award.

McKade

He served the Kappa Mu Epsilon Mathematics Honor Society as President, served the Delta Mu Delta Business Honor Fraternity as both Treasurer and President, and served as a member of the Freshman Leadership Council. He is a volunteer for the Boys and Girls Club and served as a student peer leader for New Student Orientation. For two of his college years, he was the full-time administrative director for the Jeff Berry Band. He also worked as an accounting intern for Action Professional Outsourcing and has built websites as a computer programmer for Christian Databases.

This semester concludes his service as chaplain for the Gamma Beta Phi national service honor fraternity, President of Students in Free Enterprise, and President of the HSU Student Congress. He is a member of the Texas Society of CPAs, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the Association of Information Professionals.

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. He is the son of Mary Atwell and Mark and Sherry Marshall.

Carrie Tippen, a Hedley, Texas, native and candidate for the master of arts in English, was named the recipient of the Hemphill Graduate Honor Award.

Tippen

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.

While pursuing her Master's degree, she served as the literary editor of the 2008 Corral, HSU's Student literary/Art publication. She also worked as a graduate assistant, tutoring undergraduate students in developmental writing courses. Her creative writing talent is evident in her poetry and thesis. Dr. Robert Fink judges her to be "one of the finest graduate students" he has known in his thirty-one years of teaching at Hardin-Simmons.
She is the daughter of Mrs. And Mr. Eddie Helm, and is married to Mr. Jay

Posted by Dave Coffield · May 14, 2008 8:39 AM · Comments (0)

This is interesting. One of the big sources of stress for students in pre-professional programs is that ever-present question, "will I get into med school?" The anxiety isn't unfounded since the national average for acceptance to medical school alone is 47%. Imagine how surprised (and pleased) students in the Holland School of Sciences and Mathematics were when they learned that 100 percent of those who applied for medical school, dental school, veterinary school and physician's assistant school were accepted. "It was a great year for our applicants," said Dr. Chris McNair, dean of the school, "we had some exceptional students this year." I've never known Dr. McNair to have a penchant for understatement, but that's an acceptance rate at least double the national average (and three to four times when you add the acceptance rates for all of the disciplines).

I understand the hestitancy in blowing the school's own horn; there is the danger that prospective students will think they are guaranteed placement by coming to HSU. That's true anywhere. But, the folks at Holland must be doing something really, really well, because even exceptional students need outstanding undergraduate credentials to get into the medical disciplines. Congratulations to our pre-med (soon to be med) students! That's just remarkable!

Posted by Dave Coffield · May 7, 2008 2:33 PM · Comments (0)

A compassionate healer and academic visionary, Rex L. Nutt brought relief to thousands through a long and distinguished physical therapy practice, and as the moving force behind the establishment of the physical therapy program at Hardin-Simmons University. Saturday, May 10, during the 10:00 a.m. Commencement exercises, HSU will confer the Honorary Doctor of Science degree to Mr. Nutt, a man who is an advocate of care for the disabled, a spiritual leader in his church, and has dedicated over 50 years to the profession of physical therapy.

Rex L. Nutt

He began his career during the years following the largest polio epidemic in U. S. history. Although a mass immunization program began in the late 1950s, Mr. Nutt was involved with the rehabilitation effort at the Warm Springs Foundation in Gonzales, Texas, for hundreds of individuals already afflicted with the polio virus and the resulting paralysis.

During the early 1960s, Mr. Nutt returned to the Hermann School of Physical Therapy in Houston, where taught and published on a variety of subjects, including anatomy, functional anatomy, medical physics, therapeutic exercise, rehabilitation, and massage. After serving as director of this educational program, Mr. Nutt established his own private physical therapy practice in Houston, which he operated for more than 20 years before returning to Abilene to serve as Director of Rehabilitation at the State School.

Recognizing the need for more qualified rehabilitation personnel to serve the citizens of Abilene and its surrounding communities, he campaigned for the development of a physical therapy educational program in Abilene. In addition to his contributions to the development of the HSU physical therapy program, Mr. Nutt has lectured at Texas Woman's University in
Houston, the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas State University in San

Marcos, Odessa College, and Angelo State University. The Texas Physical Therapy Association (TPTA) renamed its Outstanding Physical Therapy Student Award in Mr. Nutt's honor. Seven HSU students have received the Rex Nutt Outstanding Student Award out the eleven years that the award has been presented.

As the movement to develop a Physical Therapy program at Hardin-Simmons University gained momentum, he served on the initial advisory committee; was instrumental in recruiting Dr. William Gould, the first department head; and personally acted as the initial Director of Clinical Education to establish key clinical education sites for our students. Today, he continues to involve himself in classroom teaching and admissions interviews.

Mr. Nutt was also instrumental in building the professional rehabilitation staff at Abilene State School, where he worked for more than a decade before retiring in 2000. During his tenure at the State School, he developed a statewide program to attract Physical Therapists to the State School practice setting. He created a stipend program which hires individuals while they are still in school. In return, the graduate has a guaranteed job in the Habilitation Services Department at a State School in Texas. To date, seven Hardin-Simmons University Physical Therapy students have benefited from this program.

One of Mr. Nutt's most notable and life-changing contributions to the Abilene area has been his active participation with Disability Resources, Inc. (DRI). Mr. Nutt and his wife Joann, together with other parents of children with disability needs, formed this non-profit agency. The mission of DRI is to assist developmentally disabled individuals to achieve their full potential in a Christian environment. DRI has grown and now has its own campus providing residential housing, job training, and recreation. For many years, Mr. Nutt served as the Chairman of the Board of DRI, and although he has retired from that position, he still serves on the board.

Mr. Nutt received a Bachelor of Science from Abilene Christian University, a Master of Science from Texas Woman's University in Houston, Texas, and the Certificate of Proficiency from the Hermann school of Physical Therapy in Houston. He has served as an administrative elder at Highland Church of Christ for over 15 years, is an active member of the Abilene Rotary Club and a member of the club's Board of Directors since 1998, and volunteers as a mentor to one of the local middle schools. We, at Hardin-Simmons are honored to have the privilege of claiming Rex L. Nutt as one of our own. Acting upon the unanimous action of the Board of Trustees and the confirmation of the faculty, Hardin-Simmons University proudly confers the Honorary Doctor of Science degree upon Rex L. Nutt this 10th day of May, 2008.

Posted by Dave Coffield · May 7, 2008 1:55 PM · Comments (0)

Hardin-Simmons University holds its Spring Commencement Saturday, May 10 in Behrens Chapel on the HSU campus. More than 223 degrees will be conferred with 191 bachelors, and 32 masters candidates.

The 10:00 a.m. ceremony confers degrees from the Cynthia Ann Parker College of Liberal Arts, the Holland School of Sciences and Mathematics, the Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing and the Logsdon School of Theology. The 2:00 p.m. commencement confers degrees from the Kelly College of Business, the Irvin School of Education, and the School of Music and Fine Arts.

Dr. Bill Ellis, university provost, delivers the morning address and encourages candidates to "burn the ships." Taking a hint from Paul's admonition to put on the "whole armor of God," he uses a military metaphor to suggest how graduates might live their lives and advises them to pick their battles wisely, pack and prepare well for the campaigns of life, and commit completely to the cause.

Dr. Michael Whitehorn, senior vice president for student development, challenges the afternoon graduating class to "be true to yourself." How? "By knowing yourself, by knowing the principles by which you plans to live, and by having the awareness that while you cannot always control events, you can always control the reaction to events." Using the example of the ragged knight in Don Quixote, he encourages candidates to develop the capacity to love unconditionally and embrace life as a gift from God.

Compassionate healer and academic visionary, Rex L. Nutt receives the Honorary Doctor of Science during morning ceremonies. The founder of Disability Resources , Inc., advocate of physical therapy for the disabled, and private practitioner was the driving force behind the formation of the Hardin-Simmons University physical therapy program.

The graduating senior selected for the honor of presenting special music is clarinetist, Jeremiah McCurdy, student of Dr. Charles Coltman, assistant professor of clarinet and saxophone. He is accompanied by Shirley Anderson, adjunct instructor in piano.

A highlight Commencement at HSU is the recognition of top students whose academic record and service to the community are of special note. This spring the university honors the top graduate student with the Hemphill Graduate Honor Award, and the top undergraduates with the George Skiles Anderson Award, the Minnie L. Anderson Award, and the Olsen Medal.

Posted by Dave Coffield · May 7, 2008 1:49 PM · Comments (0)

You didn't need a telescope to see these "stars" as Hardin-Simmons University honored its finest at the 2008 Faculty-Staff Appreciation Dinner. Leianne McMillan, Chris Carnohan (Alumni Association President), and an army of volunteers created an atmosphere that rivaled many a celebrity gala. Leland Harden, vice president for Institutional Advancement, opened the evening's festivities with prayer, and Dr. W. Craig Turner, university president, emceed the program as the Stars of the Purple and Gold settled in for an evening of recognition, celebration, reflection, and a few goodbyes.

Past and present faculty and staff enjoy the moment

Reverend James Teel, president of the Former Faculty, Staff, Administration Fellowship was out of town, but his stand-in got the ball rolling when by announcing Former Faculty and Staff Members of the Year, Dr. B W Astin and Wanda Thweatt. Dr. Turner recognized the 5, 10, and 15-year service pin recipients, and Dr. Shane Davidson, vice president for enrollment management, awarded the 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40-year pins. The service pins were developed under the presidency of Dr. Elwin L. Skiles, and symbolize the tradition and loyalty shared by the University and her community of faithful personnel who have worked to provide students with an education enlightened by faith.

Mr. Preston, senior vice president for Finance, opened the envelopes to award this year's "Ruperts" to retiring faculty and staff members. Sadly, we say goodbye this year to Dr. Joe Darnall, after 33 years; Dr. Loyd Hawthorne, after 33 years; Mr. David Stovall, after 30 years; Mrs. Linda Carleton, after 23 years; Ms. Mary Frances Mihalakos, after 17 years; and Mrs. Clara Stovall after 15 years.

Retirees pose with their "Ruperts"

Dr. Whitehorn, senior vice president for student development, stepped to the podium to announce the Staff Member of the Year award as a visibly startled Stacey Martin, undergraduate director of academic advising, paused for a moment to make sure she heard the name correctly.

Dr. Ellis, university provost, read the citation and presented the Faculty Member of the Year Award to Dr. Mary Christopher, associate professor of education and certification officer. Both honorees were selected for loyalty and service to Hardin-Simmons University, competence and dedication to responsibilities, high Christian ideals, friendliness and willingness to work productively with everyone, and good rapport with HSU constituents. Given the enthusiastic response from the audience, the 2008 honorees were a popular choice.

The "Culps" made a surprise appearance, honoring Dr. Turner with a medley of favorite tunes. Although immensely entertaining, Dr. Turner called for the immediate return of Dr. Loyd Hawthorne--to help the couple with its somewhat bizarre vocalizations.

The evening ended with an emotional farewell to Dr. Turner, who leaves us later this month. The Alumni Board, Staff Senate, and Faculty Council all presented special "remember us" gifts to our president of seven years, and wished him well as he takes over the leadership of Catawba College. The faculty presented two prints, by local artists, of scenes sure to recall the heritage and flavor of Abilene. The staff commissioned a sculpture, by Steve Neves, assistant professor of art, based on the Browning theme, "Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp. Or what's a heaven for?" As the gathering dispersed, there seemed to be a sense that all would reach a little farther in the coming year.

Posted by Dave Coffield · May 7, 2008 1:40 PM · Comments (0)