HSU Insider

"Living Current: God's Word on Today's BIG Issues" is the theme Dr. Jim Denison, pastor of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, brings to Hardin-Simmons University for this year's The Cornerstone Series. The series, featured Sep 30 - Oct 2, is a sequence of Bible lectures presented to help perpetuate the ideals set forth in the foundation agreement of Simmons College, now Hardin-Simmons University. These ideals are commensurate with the New Testament revelation of Christ, the cornerstone of the Christian faith.

Dr. Denison's work in apologetics, worldviews, and cultural studies is extensive and well documented. He has also written a number of scholarly articles which examine historical evidences for Jesus, the Bible, and Christianity.

All sessions are open to the public, and Dr. Denison's words promise to be compelling and thought-provoking. The lectures are presented in Behrens Chapel on the Hardin-Simmons University campus and begin at 9:30 a.m. Topics include:

Tuesday, Sep 30 - Radical Islam

Wednesday, Oct 1 - Evil and Suffering

Thursday, Oct 2 - End Times

Dr. Denison writes a daily devotional on cultural issues from a spiritual perspective, "God Issues Today," which is e-mailed each weekday to more than 11,000 subscribers worldwide (www.godissues.com and www.godissues.org. He is author of five books, Wrestling With God: How Can I Love a God I'm Not Sure I Trust?; The Bible--You Can Believe It: Biblical Authority in the Twenty-First Century; Myth and the Manger; Life on the Brick Pile: Answers to Suffering from the Letters of Revelation ; and Seven Crucial Questions About the Bible. His weekly Bible commentaries written for Sunday School teachers are used by BaptistWay Press as an online teaching tool.

Dr. Denison has a Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and an honorary Doctor of Divinity from Dallas Baptist University. He teaches a PhD seminar at DBU, where he also serves as chairman of the Board of Trustees. He also serves on the board of trustees for the B.H. Carroll Theological Institute.
Prior to PCBC, he pastored churches in Atlanta, GA, Midland, TX, and Mansfield, TX.

Worship leaders for the series are Hardin-Simmons University students Zeke Dorr and Brian Jones. They currently lead worship at University Baptist Church in Abilene.

The Cornerstone Series was endowed in 1966 by Dr. Lee Hemphill and his late wife, Lunelle Nix Hemphill, in honor of his parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. C.W. Hemphill of Coleman, Texas.

Logsdon Seminary will host the regional "Keeping Your Church Out of Court" conference on the Hardin-Simmons University campus Monday, 29 Sep, in Logsdon Chapel from 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. The conference, presented by the Christian Life Commission of the Baptist General Convention of Texas and the firm of Bourland, Wall & Wenzel P.C., will offer advice on a variety of legal issues affecting churches such as IRS compliance and employment law.

The conference is appropriate for any church, minister, staff, or member. The cost for each participant is $25 and includes a copy of the newly revised and released 3rd edition of the book Keeping Your Church Out of Court, and the conference luncheon. Contact James Stone, Director of Church Relations, Congregational Resourcing and Ministry Placement for HSU for reservations by calling (325) 670-1258 or by email to jstone@hsutx.edu. Participants may register at the door; however, those who register after 22 Sep are responsible for their own lunch.

Session topics include: "Churches, Politics and the IRS," "Church Liability Issues and Top 10 Ways to Keep Your Church Out of Court," and "Top Immigration Issues for Churches." The Christian Life Commission realizes that no one expects to find their church involved in a lawsuit, since churches are filled with well-meaning Christians who come together for worship, fellowship, learning, and missions. By following sound operating procedures and taking common-sense precautions, churches can avoid potentially crippling lawsuits or loss of their not-for-profit status.

In an election year, when candidate values are hotly debated, churches need to know what they can and cannot publicly endorse. Churches that have outreach programs to undocumented workers must be familiar with immigration liability issues. No church wants to be sued by a disgruntled former employee or be the site of an accident, but lawsuits happen all too often. Church members deserve the reassurance that their leaders are good stewards of their tithe and trust. Keeping your Church Out of Court is a resource that focuses on prevention by helping to insure that church structure and policies provide the best possible legal standing and protection.

The HSU community mourns as Dr. J. G. Martin, professor emeritus of music education, passed away on Monday, Sept. 22, at age 77 at his home in Abilene. Dr. Martin served the University for 26 years and was department head of the department of music education and church music when he retired in 1993.

The publisher of several books, including Sharing Music: An Introductory Guide to Music Education, and A Normal Family, Dr. Martin might be best remembered for forming the choral group Singers Ho! The song and dance group toured the nation frequently under his baton, and was invited to entertain U.S. servicemen on three overseas tours including Greenland, Iceland, and Labrador in 1970; Germany, Italy, Belgium, England, and Holland in 1972; and eight weeks of shows in the Far Pacific in the winter of 1974-1975.

The former chairman of the State Keyboard Committee of the College Division of the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA), co-chairman of the Abilene North District for the National Guild of Piano Teachers, and member of the TMEA Committee for Fine Arts Education didn't slow down when he reached retirement. He served as president of the Hardin-Simmons University Former Faculty-Staff-Administration Fellowship, and was conductor and co-founder of the community choral organization, The Celebration Singers. Dr. Martin continued to serve as an interim and supply music director for churches in the region for many years.

Dr. Martin received his bachelor's degree in piano from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, a master's in piano at the University of Arizona, and a doctor of musical arts in music education from the University of Texas, Austin.

Together with his wife, Billie, also a former HSU faculty member, he used the travel time afforded by retirement to make several trips to Thailand, where he was invited to teach and conduct at Baptist mission school choirs, and speak during school chapel programs.

Services for Dr. Martin will be at Logsdon Chapel, on the Hardin-Simmons University campus, on Friday, Sep 26th, at 1:30 p.m.

The dust finally settled on the Six White Horses practice arena, the judges finished a particularly difficult winnowing session, and the 2008-2009 Six White Horses lineup was set as the annual tryouts for the storied riding team came to a close. The Rodeo Queens are safe, but two riders from last year's team didn't make the cut. If you'd seen the 13 ranch-grown, cattle-cutting, horse-showing, rodeo-riding cowgirls who came out to this year's auditions, you'd understand why. This was arguably the best crop of applicants to line up at the horse barn in many years. Even the horses, who looked decidedly sleepy during the saddling portion of the tryouts, took notice after being pushed hard by experienced and expert riders. More than one horse needed to catch its breath during the rider's interview with the judges.

<

The session started at 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, and lasted late into the night. The riders were done by 7:30, but the judges debated over a dinner that lasted well into the evening. Pleased with the number of applicants, more than one judge was overheard saying, "This is going to be tough, we've got some great kids and they're all very, very good." Judges included Taylor County Judge George Newman and former HSU biology professor; Dr. Natalie Matthews, former Six White Horses rider and veterinarian at Brookhollow Animal Clinic; attorney Kelly Gill; former HSU rodeo team member and speech therapist Linda Boeshart; former rider and retired HSU faculty member Paula Windham; and Butch Boeshart, retired oilman.

<

By 10:00 p.m., Debbie Jones, Six White Horses program director, finally had her team. They included the 2005 and 2008 West Texas Fair and Rodeo Queens, two theatre majors, a future nurse, a future therapist, several future teachers, a hopeful for law school, and the great granddaughter of former HSU president Dr. E. A. Reiff. Nine riders in all made the team. Although only six will ride during any given performance, nine riders give Jones flexibility with class schedules and illness--and she always needs extra help when the team goes on the road. All nine members will travel to parades at Trent and Newcastle this weekend, and were already practicing Wednesday night under the lights at the practice arena.

<

Your HSU Six White Horses riders for this year are: Kristin Akins from Hawley, Lara Clapp from Iowa Park, Jamie Cooley from Eula, Becky Daniel from Truscott, Whitney Hicks (2005 WTF&R Queen) from Hamby, Rachel Newman from Roxton, Kristen Ringler from Alvaredo, Amy Turner from Rochester, and Lauren Willen (2008 WTF&R Queen) from Albany.

When Terri Hendrix left Hardin-Simmons University in 1988, saying goodbye to a music scholarship and studies in opera, she never dreamed she would be back performing in Abilene as a Grammy Award winning songwriter with 11 major releases to her credit. Hendrix and co-producer, band member, and business partner Lloyd Maines (father of Dixie Chicks singer Natalie Maines), take the stage at the Paramount Friday, Sep 26, at 7:30 p.m. They headline the Texas Songwriter's Concert, part of the week-long West Texas Book & Music Festival.

Hendrix, who co-wrote "Lil' Jack Slade," a Grammy-winning instrumental performed by the Dixie Chicks, milked goats in exchange for guitar lessons after leaving the Forty Acres, and played the small hill country venues, hauling her sound system around in the back of her beat-up pick-up truck. She released her first album, 1996's Two Dollar Shoes, independently, and inspired a grassroots following that spread like Texas wildflowers with each show. The industry really began to take note when her 2002 release, The Ring, was named one of the 12 best independent releases of the year. Her latest CD, The Spiritual Kind spent several weeks on the Americana Chart, topped the Roots Music Report's Folk chart and landed Hendrix on the cover of the nationally distributed Texas Music magazine. Not surprisingly, it garnered some of the best reviews of her career and found a home on many critics' year-end Top 10 lists.

Although she'll play for a crowd of 75 or 15,000, she was in demand at such premiere events as the Newport Folk Festival, the Philadelphia Folk Festival and, closer to home, the Texas State Fair at the Cotton Bowl, the Austin City Limits Music Festival and the Kerrville Folk Festival. She's also appeared on the nationally syndicated World Café and Mountain Stage radio shows, and her songs have been included on numerous compilation CDs by Putumayo World Music and influential radio stations like Philadelphia's WXPN, Austin's KGSR and Tucson's KXCI (among others).

No matter how big the gig, she spends at least an hour after every show signing CD's and mixing with fans. Hendrix contributed tracks on the HSU Playlist CD's the past two years. These promotional CD's were sent to 30,000 prospective students.

If you can't make the concert, or just want to hear more of Terri, she'll perform at the Abilene Public Library's Brown Bag program at noon Friday. Fans may bring their own lunches or purchase a sandwich lunch (supplies are limited) for $4.

The Texas Songwriters Concert is free and open to the public. In a year when Hendrix is busy touring in support of her newest offering, The Spiritual Kind, the Paramount concert is a gift that all her fans--past, present, and future, will treasure.

Dr. Zane Mason, professor of history emeritus at HSU, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 16, at age 89 in Mabank, Texas. A president of the faculty for two terms, five-time nominee from HSU for the Piper Professor Award, Cullen Professor, first Rupert N. Richardson Chair of American History at HSU, Faculty Member of the Year in 1986, and Former Faculty Member of the Year in 1999, Dr. Mason served from 1959 until his retirement in 1988.

Dr. Mason attended five colleges and two seminaries, and received four degrees, including the first Doctor of Philosophy in the field of history from Texas Tech University. He taught at Stephen F. Austin State University, Lincoln Memorial University, and Texas Tech before finding a home at Hardin-Simmons University for 29 years under five university presidents.

As a teacher, Dr. Mason's philosophy was to "stress more in my classes than subject-matter, since there is a life to live which has needs morally, ethically, and spiritually." When questioned about the value of teaching and learning in a small university, he said, "My answer for myself and most of my colleagues...is because we believe we have a chance to lay out before our students, and thus society, a value system which will guide them through this life and open the doors for the one to come."

A native of Brandenburg, Ky., Dr. Mason graduated from high school in Tampa, Florida, and received his B.A. degree from Carson-Newman College, Jefferson City, Tennessee. He earned the B.D. degree at Grace Seminary, Winona Lake, Indiana, and the M.A. from Stephen F. Austin State College, Nacogdoches, Texas. He was ordained a Baptist minister in 1941, and held pastorates in Florida, Tennessee, and Texas.

He published a book, Frontiersmen of the Faith, and his vita lists over four pages of service in committees, listings in scholarly directories, membership in professional and honor societies, and articles and research published. He was married to the former Bobbie (Snowball) Bell Wade, a surgical nurse at Hendrick Medical Center, who preceded him in death.

The history teacher and man of God summed up his life aptly, "We are giving our lives because we feel that this institution promotes, requires, and demands that we stand up and speak up for values that are life-changing, soul-searching, and of eternal worth...no matter what our academic disciplines may be. More than all of this I have said, there are a few of us who have a compelling motivation to point our students to the One who is the source of all joy, all comfort, and our blessed hope beyond this life."

Services for Dr. Mason are scheduled for Thursday, 18 Sept., at 2:00, at First Baptist Church Mabank, Texas. Hardin-Simmons University will hold a special memorial service for Dr. Mason Friday, 19 Sept., at 11:00 a.m. in Logsdon Chapel.

One of the Six White Horses riders will take a special victory lap during each performance at this year's West Texas Fair & Rodeo. Lauren Willen, starting her second year as a rider with the team, was crowned the 2008 West Texas Fair and Rodeo Queen Tuesday night, Sep 9. When the iconic HSU riders line up in the arena, Lauren will be called out and introduced as this year's rodeo royalty.

Six White Horses program director Debbie Jones was pleased with the selection, "several of our riders have been chosen to be the Rodeo Queen over the years, and Lauren's selection brings honor to our team and to our university." If you haven't seen the Six White Horses go through their routine this year, you can still catch the show through Saturday, Sep 13, at 7:30 p.m. at the Expo Center.

Willen's selection shouldn't be a surprise; she's grown up in a saddle. The 10-time qualifier for the State 4-H Horse Show specializes in speed events and the halter class, and won points with the rodeo judges for personality and speech. The Albany native is a Sophomore history major who's been a fixture with the Six White Horses this year, often volunteering to travel to area schools with program director Debbie Jones to educate children about horses. Willen plans to continue to ride with the Six White Horses as reigning West Texas Fair & Rodeo Queen--if she passes the annual auditions for the storied riding group.

<

Speaking of auditions, Jones announced the date of try-outs for the 2008-2009 riding team. She needs to fill several vacancies this year, so cowgirls with visions of joining this elite equestrian team should start getting some quality-time in the saddle. Auditions will be at the Doc Beazley Six White Horses Center on the HSU campus, 16 Sep, at 5:00 p.m. The public is invited to the try-outs.

Prospective riders must be enrolled as full-time students at HSU, and must have strong riding skills. Each applicant will be interviewed to assess their ability to represent the University and to maintain poise under stressful conditions. To make sure only the best riders are chosen, even current riders must audition each year.

Typically, prospects will demonstrate the ability to properly saddle a horse as judges evaluate their confidence, strength, and interaction with the horses. The group rides out to the arena where each prospect will demonstrate the ability to control a horse through a predetermined course. The course ends at the judge's stand with the judges' interview.

Riders perform throughout the year and are expected to groom their horses, handle tack and riding gear, and practice riding routines 2 - 3 times per week. The selection team generally chooses 8 riders so that at least 6 will be available at any given time for the program's grueling schedule. Riders must have the stamina to guide a horse through complex routines while carrying one of the six flags that are associated with Texas history.

If weather is a factor, and with recent rains it may well be, riders will compete at an indoor location yet to be announced. Directions will be posted at the horse barn, but the venue will likely be the Roy Bozark Arena (Gate C) at the Taylor County Expo Center. Tryouts will begin a half-hour later if prospective riders and judges need to travel from the barn to an alternate location..

Left to right: Dr. Ouimette, his wife Nina, Jacque and Dr. Holland

Hardin-Simmons University's Dr. Mark Ouimette, professor and head of geological and environmental sciences, received the first ever Holland Award of Excellence from the American Association of Petroleum Geologists presented by Dr. David "Scotty" Holland in a special ceremony in the Holland Health Science Building on the HSU campus, Wed, Sep 3.

Dr. Ouimette, whose 14 years of hands-on teaching at HSU give students an appreciation for fieldwork and an authentic context for geological sciences says, "I am very honored to receive this award. I am truly thankful to the Dr. Holland and the AAPG for making it available. The award is an affirmation of the learning environment we provide here at Hardin-Simmons. You won't find the attention to detail directed toward a student's future at any public institution like what we have here."

The award was established by the Hollands, through the AAPG, to select high achieving faculty members from the Holland School of Sciences and Mathematics for special recognition and award. Intended for professional development and enrichment, the purpose of the award, and the endowment that makes it possible, is to make the best in the classroom better at the Holland School of Sciences and Mathematics.

The recipient of the award is selected by the dean, and the dean determines the manner in which the funds will be used prior to the finalization of the award. Most of the award will go toward the purchase of much needed equipment for the department, including a high quality microscope and a digital visual device for lectures (known as ELMO), and the remainder will be used to send Dr. Ouimette to meetings focused at geoscience department accreditation.

"The Holland School is excited to be the beneficiary of another gift from Dr. and Mrs. Holland," says Dr. Chris McNair, dean of the school, "This annual gift enables the recipient to purchase much needed Awequipment, attend professional meetings, and develop the curriculum for programs in their respective area of sciences and mathematics. We are all very proud of this year's recipient, Dr. Mark Ouimette."

The AAPG Foundation was established in 1967 with the primary goal of providing a source of funding for educational, charitable, and scientific objectives, which directly and indirectly benefit the geologic profession and the general public.

Dr. Holland has been a geologist, corporate executive, industry leader and entrepreneur. He joined Pennzoil in the mid-1960s as a senior exploration geologist, and ultimately became president and chief executive officer of Pennzoil Exploration and Production, and served as a group vice president of the Pennzoil Company until his retirement in 1990.

Presently, he is president of Holland Holding Inc., Holland energy Inc. and Post Oak Petroleum and serves on the boards of the Houston Museum of Natural Science, The Geology Foundation of the University of Texas, and the AAPG Foundation. In 1997 Dr. Holland and his wife, Jacque, established the Endowed Holland Geology Scholarship Fund; in 2000, they funded the major endowment for the HSU School of Sciences and Mathematics; and recently, their financial gift led to the Holland Award of Excellence at Hardin-Simmons University. Recently, they were instrumental in funding the $3.9 million Holland Health Science Building, the location of a "first of its kind" high school health sciences magnet school built and maintained by HSU.

As Hardin-Simmons University neared its sustainable capacity, it entered an era of managed growth during the 2006 - 2007 school year by tightening admissions standards, expanding the honors program, and making entrance to HSU more competitive. Last year, the University saw the benefits of this strategy with the highest number of applications ever. That trend continues as applications to attend HSU are up 3.95% over last year. The University comfortably accommodates 2,400 to 2,500 students and wants to stay within that population.

"We do not believe that bigger makes for better," says Dr. Bill Ellis, provost of Hardin-Simmons University. "Therefore, we are very intentional in our admissions process. Not everyone who applies to HSU is admitted. Our admissions criteria are based on the quality of the individual applicant. We admit students who are not only academically sound, but who also recognize the value of attending a university such as HSU, where an individual student's achievement and success are the focus of every aspect of his or her education."

The word is out on Hardin-Simmons University as the number of quality students scrambling for a seat for the fall term soared. Freshman applications rose from 1372 in 2006 to 1757 last year. This year, 2,320 prospects applied to the University. The freshman class of 472 climbed from the 465 students who started last year, and the total student enrollment is 2,392 from 2,435 in 2007. Perhaps the biggest indicator of quality is the annual jump in selectivity. Selectivity has tightened to 20% from an already exclusive 26% in 2007, 29% in 2006, 39% in 2005, and 53% in 2004. That means one of every five applicants who apply to HSU get in.

Not only are applications at an all-time high, the Honors Program is thriving. Retention is at 91% in the prestigious program. "It's a great time to be at Hardin-Simmons," says Dr. Shane Davidson, vice president of enrollment management, "The University continues to flourish in a nurturing, Christian environment. HSU is committed to quality--quality faculty, quality facilities, and quality students. Students continue to choose HSU for its academic rigor, athletic excellence, and value added experience. HSU's guaranteed tuition commitment continues to help families budget and finance their HSU education with no hidden costs (or fees). Students that choose HSU understand their investment. They aren't impressed by gimmicks and giveaways--they relish the challenge of getting in and the return they receive when they graduate."

Managed growth is now the norm at HSU. Dr. Ellis sums it up this way, "Top quality students elevate the classroom experience for everyone--both students and faculty. Our selectivity gives us the opportunity to control quality with measured growth while providing an exceptional learning experience. Balancing enrollment with our drive for quality students is a delicate process, but we've shown that it works, and it flows naturally into our mission to provide the best possible education enlightened by Christian faith and values."