Dr. Zane Mason, Professor of History Emeritus, Served Under Five Presidents at HSU, Passes at Age 89
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.
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