HSU Insider

Some mighty names have passed through the halls of Hardin-Simmons. Few have accomplished so much with so much passion. Coach "Slingin'" Sammy Baugh did just about everything a gridiron athlete can do--and passed away quietly last night at age 94.

Baugh in his coaching days

The last surviving member of the inaugural Pro Football Hall of Fame class brought the forward pass into the game during a time when nearly every play from scrimmage was a run. He wrote the record book for passing while playing for the Washington Redskins and still owns the record for career touchdown passes for that team (187). A star on the Sweetwater team, Baugh originally planned to play collegiate baseball until an injury (sliding into second base) negated a scholarship to Washington State. Although he was best known for the pass, he got the nickname "Slingin' Sammy" from a sportswriter covering a baseball game at TCU.

Baugh was also a star quarterback for TCU and was drafted in the first round by the Washington Redskins in 1937. He made such an impact on the Redskins that they won the NFL championship his rookie year. Baugh played the pro circuit for 17 years, setting records at three positions. He completed 1,693 of 2,995 passes for 21,886 yards.

In 1955 Hardin-Simmons University went shopping for a coach to revive a mediocre football program and found an eager west Texas rancher (and retired Redskin quarterback) excited about the challenge. He'd been offered better salaries with huge programs, but accepted because of his love of football and a desire to make a difference with the team. It was a great move from a recruiting standpoint--everyone knew Sammy Baugh. He coached at HSU from 1955 through 1959, compiling a 23-28 record. Coach Baugh did pretty well--better than the record indicates. At the time, HSU was a Division One team and played some of the toughest teams in the nation. Most of Baugh's losses during those years came against teams like Louisiana State University, Arkansas, Baylor, Mississippi, Georgia, Auburn, and Arizona State--on the road.

He went on to coach professionally with the New York Titans and Houston Oilers, and was inducted into both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame. He retired to Double Mountain Ranch between Rotan and Roby and continued to help the sport raising money for football scholarships. In 2000, HSU inducted Slingin' Sammy into the HSU Athletic Hall of Fame.

Baugh was once asked about his most memorable game, and the answer was surprising. No, it wasn't one of the five NFL championship games, the Sugar Bowl, or the time he passed for four touchdowns and intercepted four passes against the Detroit Lions--it was an valiant effort at HSU that he counts as his best game.

The year was 1958, and the schedule took HSU on the road to LSU. The Tigers were unbeaten and en-route to a national championship--HSU was just a minor bump in the road. Knowing LSU was going to run over them, Baugh prepared the team to keep from losing. The only chance they had was to keep the ball away from the Tiger's high-powered offense. The plan was to pass for eight yards on first down, then run twice for the first down. The plan worked pretty well--LSU just couldn't get the ball. A muffed punt and a long LSU drive settled the game with a 20-6 win for the Tigers, but their coach later called Baugh and told him, "No LSU opponent did a better job of ball control than your Cowboys. I thought you ought to tell your boys." Thinking back on a career that reached heights few players or coaches will ever experience, Coach Baugh said, "I was never prouder than I was at that moment."

Services for the Big Country quarterback and coach are at First Baptist Church, Rotan, Monday December 22, at 2:00 p.m. The family will receive visitors at Weathersbee-Ray Funeral Home in Rotan, Sunday, December 21, between 4:00 and 6:00 p.m.Coach

Dr. Charles and Roena Tandy have entrusted Hardin-Simmons University with the gift of a rare and valuable collection of early and antique Bibles and Christian writings, some dating to the early 1500's. Dr. Tandy is a 1949 graduate with a deep connection to HSU. He believes the university has given so much to him that he is thrilled to give something back in a way that will increase the prestige and educational impact of the University.

HSU dignitaries view one of only 50 first edition King James Bibles in existance

Hardin-Simmons University held a media event for the gifting of this extremely valuable collection at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, Dec 11, on the second floor of the Richardson Library on the HSU campus. Dr. Tandy and Dr. Brisco, dean of the Logsdon School of Theology, were on-hand to answer questions about the collection.

"The Tandy Collection contains several of the most significant Bibles in the English language," said Dr. Brisco, "including a first edition of the King James Bible and a 'Great She' Bible - a 1613 edition of the King James Version named for the correction of a previous printer's error found in Ruth 3. The collection also includes a 1541 edition of the Great Bible, the work of the Myles Coverdale - a close confidant of William Tyndale- and a first edition of the Geneva Bible translated by Protestant Reformers at Geneva in 1560. The Geneva Bible was the Bible used by William Shakespeare. The Rheims Douai Version, the first English Bible designed for Roman Catholics, is also represented in the extensive holdings."

Dr. Tandy points to an image of King James defaced by an early owner

"Dr. Tandy has a deep passion for the Bible evidenced in this collection developed over many years," Dr. Brisco continues, "HSU is indeed fortunate to have this collection on campus. The generosity of the Tandy's will allow faculty and students at HSU to have access to some of the most important versions of the Bible for study purposes."

The collection consists of 26 Bibles, 19 leaves and fragments, and 31 volumes of secondary literature. Bibles include:

Sacon Bible 1521

Tyndale New Testament facsimile 1976

Coverdale 1550

Coverdale facsimile 1975

Coverdale Psalter 1935

Sixth great Bible 1541

Geneva Bible 1560

Geneva facsimile 1969

Rheims New Testament 1582

Rheims New Testament 1600

Douay Old Testament 1609/10

Geneva Tomson Junius 1606

King James Bible, 1st edition (only 50 copies known to exist)

King James Bible, 1st edition fragment

King James Bible, 1613 "She"

Eliot Bible Leaf Book 1979, second copy of 16

Baskerville Bible 1763

Baskerville Bible 1772
Trenton, Isaac Collins Bible 1793

Noah Webster Bible 1833

John Brown Bible 1816

Philadelphia Bible 1829

First English Revised Version 1881-1885

English Hexapla 1841

Dr. Tandy holds an extremely valuable first edition Elgin Bible

Dr. Tandy, an Abilene High School graduate, applied to HSU in the 1940's knowing he didn't have the resources to go to college. His high school teachers intervened with letters asking the university to help the exceptional student find a job which might defray some of the cost of tuition. He was able to work in the science labs, and through providence and hard work, graduated without ever having to pay tuition. He completed medical school, a stint in the Air Force, and settled at Parkland Hospital in Dallas to practice. Over 50 years and 43,000 personal anesthetics later, he wouldn't change a thing. He married the former Roena Rainey 36 years ago, and kept a busy civic schedule including a term as President of the Dallas Chamber of Commerce, and a position on the Dallas City Council. Dr. Tandy continues to practice anesthesiology, but has cut his schedule back to three days per week.

The University will hold a more formal reception during the first quarter of the new year for Dr. and Roena Tandy. The reception will be educational in nature, complete with talks by experts in early English Bibles and related materials, and will be open to the community.

Story by Chelbie Bolton - HSU Hometown News Coordinator

Forget the glass ceiling--Holly Fidler managed to break through the brass ceiling. In a surprise announcement during the Cowboy Band's Spring Formal at the Old Jail Art Center in Albany, Holly was named the first ever female recipient of the prestigious Spears-Presley Award. The Spears-Presley Award, also known as the Gold Medal award, is given to the graduating member of the Cowboy Band who has the best record in scholarship and in Band over a period of four years.

Chosen by Cowboy Band Director, Dr. Wayne Dorothy, the recipient of the award is selected based on their dedication, character, spirit, and interaction with other band members. As Holly puts it, the choice is determined by "how well you personify the old cowhand spirit." The highest award obtainable in the organization, the Gold Medal award originated in 1928 as the Joe Ellis Medal by Joe Ellis Jewelers of Abilene. In 1932, the award was taken over by the Presley Jewelry Company in Abilene and became the Presley Medal which was discontinued in 1956. In 1971, the Elmer Spears medal was started by Elmer E. Spears and was endowed by Spears for a perpetual medal.

In addition to playing the flute for four years, Holly served as the Cowboy Band treasurer and secretary as well as an assistant mom during the Cowboy Band orientation process. Although it is safe to say that all Cowboy Band members share a loyalty to the organization, Holly's dedication to the group and her fellow members goes beyond just a fondness for music.

"I just love this band. I feel goofy having this much devotion."
Originally from Mineral Wells, Holly was a proud member of the "Ram Band" throughout her high school career. She chose to attend Hardin-Simmons after the Cowboy Band performed at her school.

"They were so good, and just the right size. I made my decision right then to come to HSU."

Admitting that, "almost every great memory of HSU can be attributed to band," Holly counts the band's annual participation in the Neiman Marcus Adolphus Children's Christmas Parade as one of her favorite collegiate memories.

"When the people lined up on the streets come up to you, saying you're the whole reason they come to the parade, it is an amazing feeling. Those few hours make a year of hard work, practicing, and even fighting, worth it!"

Holly received a Bachelor of Behavioral Science during December commencement exercises, and plans to spend the next semester continuing her involvement with organizations that assist those with disabilities in order to prepare for grad school in the fall. Although she has yet to determine where she will be attending, she plans on studying behavioral and communication disorders.

Although she is excited about the future, Holly notes that the primary thing she will miss about HSU is her involvement with the band, particularly entertaining and connecting with an audience. She explains that perhaps her feelings are best expressed by Dorothy May McClure's The World Famous Cowboy Band:

"The Cowboy Band is something of an institution itself. Not apart from HSU, to be sure, but an entity which commands an added measure of devotion from all who ever blew a horn or beat a drum in the name of the band."

Three degree candidates were singled out for singular accomplishment during Hardin-Simmons University commencement exercises on Saturday, Dec 13.

Lysinger

Jenae Pharr Lysinger of Midland, Texas, a summa cum laude graduate with a bachelor of behavioral science degree in speech-language pathology, and a double minor in psychology and Honors, was awarded the Academic Foundation Medal for outstanding scholarship and service to the University and community.

The Academic Foundation Medal was established in 1999 by the Academic Foundation of Hardin-Simmons University. This medal is awarded annually at Winter Commencement to the graduate who achieves the highest grade point average, exemplifies the highest scholarly achievement, and completes at least 90 semester hours of residence credit at HSU.

Our 2008 honoree has distinguished herself academically as a member of the Honors program. She has been named to the President's List each semester she has attended HSU. She has been honored with several academic scholarships including the Dean's Scholarship, the Honors Scholarship, and the Christy Rogers Scholarship in Speech Language Pathology. In addition, she has been honored with memberships in Gamma Beta Phi and Alpha Chi. She is a member of the HSU Chorale and the Abilene Collegiate Orchestra. She has volunteered her time at West Texas Rehabilitation Center and the Abilene Girl's and Boy's Club. She attends Beltway Park Baptist Church.

Jenae is the daughter of Richard and Diane Pharr from Midland, Texas. She married Bryan Lysinger in October of this year and he is currently serving in Iraq. After graduation, Jenae will begin acquiring experience in a rehabilitation facility to help her decide how best to use her talents in service to others as either a speech language pathologist or a physical therapist. She will then attend graduate school in one of those allied health fields.

Mason

April M. Mason of Midland, Texas, a summa cum laude Honors Program graduate with a bachelor of business administration degree in accounting, received the Winnie & D.M. Wiggins Award for outstanding scholarship and service to the University.

The Winnie and D. M. Wiggins Medal is awarded to the senior student graduating at winter commencement for academic excellence throughout his or her entire college career. The student must have spent three or more years in residence and excelled in character, personal development, and academic achievement.

Our 2008 honoree has distinguished herself academically, in service to the University, and through current employment in her chosen field of study. This year's recipient has been repeatedly named to the President's List and is a Kelley-Tucker Endowed Business Scholar, an award presented to those business students who have demonstrated a high desire and ability to succeed in business. In addition, she is a member of Gamma Beta Phi National Honor and Service Society and Delta Mu Delta, a national business honors fraternity. Furthermore, in her field of study, she has received the Texas Society of CPA's Outstanding Junior Scholarship in Accounting Award and the Outstanding Accounting Student Award.

While attending Hardin-Simmons, she has been actively involved with the BSM (Baptist Student Ministries), SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise), and the HSU Chorale. She has managed to achieve academic excellence and provide outstanding service to the University while maintaining part-time employment off campus as an Accounting Intern. She is the daughter of Donna and Jerry Mason.

Casselberry

Sarah Crump Casselberry of Brownwood, Texas, graduating with a master of arts degree in English, and an accumulated grade point average of 4.0, received the 2008 Graduate Dean's Award of Excellence. The recipient is selected from nominations from all graduate programs and is the individual who excelled as a graduate student, typifies the character and Behavior consistent with HSU's mission and purpose, and showed potential to excel in their field of study.

A member of Alpha Chi National Honor Society and Sigma Tau Delta National Honor Society for English, this year's winner was Editor-in-Chief and Literary Editor of the 2006 Corral, was named a Campbell-Lacy Creative Writer in 2006 and 2007, worked as a student assistant in the Smith Music Library and the university Spanish program, was (over the course of her career at HSU) Entertainment Writer, Copy Editor, and Managing Editor of the HSU Brand, taught multiple sections of Basic Writing to incoming students needing composition help, and was a volunteer instructor in English As A Second Language for Abilene's International Rescue Committee. Her paper "A New Woman, A New South: An Examination of Flannery O'Connor's A Late Encounter with the Enemy," was accepted and read at the "Southern Writers, Southern Writing" Conference at the University of Mississippi Graduate Conference held in conjunction with the Annual Faulkner and Yoknapatawpha Conference in Oxford, Mississippi, the foremost conference in U.S. Southern Literature. Her creative thesis, "To Have And To Hold," orchestrates an inspiring poetry sequence celebrating her mother's courage, faith, and determination to protect and provide for her children and details her own pilgrimage of faith and love.

Sarah completed her undergraduate work at Hardin-Simmons University, is married to Jason Casselberry, a 2003 HSU graduate, and is the daughter of Ms. Carol Bryson.

When Hardin-Simmons University held its December Commencement, Saturday, Dec 13th, in Behrens Auditorium on the HSU campus, 251 candidates crossed the stage as degrees were conferred. The exact number of actual graduates may change as degree requirements are tabulated and grades continue to come in, but proud parents and family members filled the hall to capacity.

The 166 bachelors, 50 masters, and 45 doctoral candidates include the first class of 19 doctor of physical therapy (DPT) students in the transitional DPT program. These are post-professional licensed practitioners who've come to HSU to upgrade their level of education. Hardin-Simmons University first offered the DPT program in 2002, adding the transitional program in 2007.

The 10:00 a.m. ceremony conferseddegrees 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 confered degrees from the Kelly College of Business, the Irvin School of Education, and the School of Music.

Dr. Phil Christopher, senior pastor of First Baptist Church, Abilene, delivered the morning address to degree candidates. Cathy Ashby, associate superintendent for curriculum and instruction at the Abilene Independent School District, addressed the afternoon assembly.

After each ceremony, attendees joined in a "Graduation Celebration" at the Alumni Wall. Refreshments were served, and families found the names of the newest graduating class on temporary plaques mounted on the wall.

Also graduating this week was the University's first Leland Scholar. A part of the HSU Honors program, the Leland scholars were endowed in 2006 by a portion of a bequest from June Frost Leland, a 1940 graduate of HSU, Six White Horses rider and philanthropist. The top academic incoming freshmen in the region compete annually for placement in the Honors program, and those selected as Leland Scholars receive a full-ride scholarship. Jacob Snowden, of Midlothian, graduated early as our first Leland Scholar graduate. Other Honors graduates receiving the Honors Medalion included Rebekah Dawn Law, April Marie Mason, and Jenae Marie Pharr Lysinger.

The graduating senior selected for the honor of presenting special music was vocalist Jordan Copeland, student of Dr. Lynnette Chambers, and daughter of HSU's own Drs. Tom and Lori Copeland.

Emily Jones, an HSU athletic training major, was one of only two students in the State of Texas chosen to attend the National Athletic Trainers Association's iLead Leadership Conference in Washington, DC, in February, 2009. She joins Jillian Fiannandrea-Mustion from Angelo State University in representing the Texas State Athletic Trainers' Association (TSATA) at the prestigious leadership forum.

The National Athletic Trainers of America (NATA) asked the top athletic training students from around the nation to participate in the leadership program held in conjunction with the 2009 Capitol Hill Day Campaign and the Athletic Training Educator's Conference. The interactive program, which helps develop important leadership skills, will prepare students for participation in NATA's StarTRACKS leadership programs. Currently, over 50% of NATA membership is under the age of 32, yet they have little involvement on committees and in leadership positions that assist in decisions affecting the future of the profession. NATA's leadership programs are an initiative to engage representatives of this vital segment of its membership in its internal governance process. Another important goal is to get students engaged in the NATA legislative process. Jones, also an HSU Honors student, will meet with Texas congressional representatives to discuss athletic training issues.

Athletic training students from across the state who maintained a 3.0 grade point average, and a solid track record in leadership and service were eligible to apply to the conference. Once applications were received and narrowed to the six top applicants, finalists were interviewed by the chair of the TSATA board of directors to determine which would best represent TSATA at the conference. All expenses for the trip and the conference will be paid by TSATA.

To hear comments from attendees at the 2008 Baptist General Convention of Texas annual meeting, the performance by the Hardin-Simmons University choir and orchestra was an extraordinary experience. Dr. Clell Wright, who directed the ensemble, said, "The audience responded with a standing ovation, something unusual at the convention. Following our performance Dr. Randel Everett, executive director and CEO of the BGCT started to speak, but had to back away from the microphone because of the continued applause. It was several minutes before he was able to continue."

HSU Provost, Dr. Bill Ellis, said, "Numerous people stopped to tell me how impressed they were with the singing, the orchestra, and the musical selections. A long-time Baylor administrator and his wife told me they had never heard a better performance in all their years of attending the BGCT."

Dr. Wright, assistant director of church music, said, "The performance truly came from the heart. You could see it on their faces--they really connected to the text and the music, and it showed in their playing and singing." The ensemble performed two arrangements by Mack Wilburg, "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing and Love Divine," and "All Loves Excelling."

I'm very proud of our students," said Dr. Wright, "I believe we represented ourselves and the university well at the convention. My hope is that those in attendance will see the strong commitment to musical excellence we have here."

We invite you to share the experience by watching the videos at these links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoronNmoG1M and

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJPgvfVtoxw