HSU Insider

Mark your calendar for a free concert. Hardin-Simmons University welcomes the Robbie Seay Band this coming Tuesday, January 27th.

Robbie Seay Band

Abilene is part of a 24-city "Hope, Coffee, & Melody" tour. The band will perform in Behrens Auditorium at 7:00 pm and is free to students presenting HSU ID cards.

HSU Baptist Student Ministry Director, John Hunt, says "We really just lucked into having the band here. They had an open night on the tour and they called us and offered an incredible deal. Robbie's brother, Chris Seay, was part of the HSU Cornerstone Lecture Series several years ago, so they were already familiar with our campus. "

Hunt goes on to explain that Chris Seay is pastor at the Ecclesia Church in downtown Houston, while his brother Robbie is the singer/songwriter.

Among the band's well-known selections is the currently popular, "Song of Hope".
Hunt says, "We are incredibly excited to have such a great combination of music and worship coming to our campus."

Everyone is invited to attend the concert Tuesday, January 27th at 7:00 pm in Behrens Auditorium on the HSU campus. There is a $10 charge if you do not have an HSU I.D.

As a world renowned cellist, Matt Haimovitz has made a name for himself by playing in highly unusual venues. At the end of this month he will break that tradition as he comes to Hardin-Simmons University to give a masterclass.

Matt Haimovitz

Cellists and interested students from all over Texas have been invited to the event in the Woodward-Dellis Recital Hall, according to Assistant Professor of Cello and Bass, Kristin Isaacson of HSU.

The 32-year old internationally renowned cellist made his mark on the music world by taking classical music to places where it is rarely heard, and where people of his generation can listen in a relaxed atmosphere.

"Haimovitz has been selling out and leaving audiences standing all across the U.S. and Canada," according to some sources.

Issacson gives credit to Leanne Baldwin, Executive director of the Abilene Philharmonic, for bringing Haimovitz to Abilene. She says, Baldwin found the sponsor to enable Haimovitz to give the HSU class.

Haimovitz takes a special interest in students as he runs the cello program at the University of Massachusetts. The masterclass is free and open to the public to observe as he instructs several HSU students.

Isaacson says, "If there is time, there will be a question and answer session following the class."

Haimovitz will perform solo with the Abilene Philharmonic on Saturday, January 31, 2009. The masterclass will be conducted on Friday, January 30th from 3:00-4:30 in the Woodward-Dellis Recital Hall on the HSU campus. Admission to the masterclass is free.

Earning a doctorate and starting a new job made 2008 a very busy year for Dr. Lindsey Edwards.

"Increasing the foundational principles of exercise science and movement "may at first sound complicated," says Dr. Edwards, but she makes it sound easy as she instructs her students at the Irvin School of Education.

Edwards earned her doctorate at the University of Houston this past December. Specifically, her PhD is in Kinesiology with an emphasis in motor control.

Edwards says her dissertation title, Neurophysiological Responses to Whole Body Vibration, "examines the neuromuscular responses to three different postural tasks."

Dr. Edwards says, "Both my degree and my experience will help me as I relate the principals of science exercise and movement to my students."

Dr. Edwards is currently serving as Assistant Professor of Fitness and Support Sciences at the Irvin School of Education.

Two years ago HSU assistant professor Mary Lou Garrett conducted a study on the causes of childhood obesity. Today, with a new doctorate degree in hand, she is empowered to help her students deal with a number of growing epidemics among children.

Dr. Mary Lou Garrett

Garrett is one of 19 practicing physical therapist to receive a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Hardin-Simmons this past December.
As the Director of Clinical Education here at HSU, Garrett says, "The evidence supported research class enhances my ability to work with my own students."

Garrett goes on to explain that throughout the two year program, she received instruction from top-notch physical therapist from across the country. "They allowed us to tailor our assignments to meet our interests, and for me, that is pediatrics."

The obesity study, performed by Garrett and Professor of Physical Therapy, Dr. Dennis O'Connell, was published in the February 19, 2007 edition of PT Today. The article discusses the role parents play as physical therapists nationwide confront pediatric obesity.

Garret's most recent research project deals with diagnosis and therapeutic intervention of autism.

Garrett's doctorate is part of the new transitional program HSU and Rocky Mountain University of Health Professionals have put together.
One interesting note, Garrett's daughter, Jill Garret Scott, also graduated that same night with her DPT degree.

Scott currently works in a skilled nursing facility in Snyder. Dr. Garret points out the irony of her daughter working in geriatrics and herself in pediatrics. She also adds, "My daughter was one of the youngest in the doctorate program and I was one of the oldest."

Garrett says there is just so much more to learn about autism and other disorders. She hopes to pass on her new found love of research and instill in her students the need for more.

She says of herself, "Always keep learning, you are never too old."

Three Hardin-Simmons University faculty members have recently seen the hard work of research, writing, and laboring with editors, publishers, and book agents pay off with exciting new offerings.

Mathew

Dr. Larry McGraw just released the second of his The Bible Says series of devotionals with The Bible Says, Daily Devotional Insights from Mathew. The popular devotionals were previously broadcast on radio and the demand for printed, personal copies was so great that he began publishing the meditations with devotions from Isaiah.

Dr. McGraw serves as the Associate Dean of the Logsdon School of Theology at HSU, and has taught at the University for over 25 years. He's been a top-rated radio personality in Abilene and has written teacher guides for Baptist Way Press in connection with the Baptist General Convention of Texas.

As to his latest offering, Dr. McGraw says, "God's Word is as powerful and as fresh today as it was when it was first written. The message from the scriptures speaks to encourage us and to make life worth living. This book moves the reader back to the days of Jesus as Matthew's gospel brings God's truth into today's situations. With daily devotional meditation, we can learn how the Lord wants us to grow spiritually. Life can be different when we hear what.....The Bible Says." The book is available in the HSU bookstore.

Love Unbounded

A joint project between Dr. Tiffany Fink, assistant professor of history at HSU and her husband Dr. Rob Fink, visiting professor of history at McMurry University, Love Unbounded: The Influence of First Baptist Church on Abilene, Texas has just come off the press. The work offers a historical perspective on the relationship between First Baptist Church and the community and citizenry of Abilene during the 125 years the church has shaped the life of our historic community.

"When First Baptist Church was celebrating its 125th anniversary, I began to think about the influence of First Baptist on Abilene, specifically the many other institutions in town started by the church," says Rob, "God soon put it on my heart to tell this story. I asked Tiffany if she would like to work with me on the project. As we researched, a mission spirit of First Baptist toward Abilene became clear. This mission spirit became the theme of the book, as it was central to the nature of the church. Throughout its history, First Baptist and its members continually developed new institutions, mission churches, and programs. The expression of love by First Baptist towards the community inspired me and shaped the book."

"I enjoy the study of human attachment to place in the American West," Adds Tiffany, "and became enthralled with the project as it unfolded, not only as a history of the church in which we are active and the community in which we are living and raising our family, but also as a study of settlement and development in the American West and, in this case West Texas."

The book, with forward by Dr. Philip L. Christopher, Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church, should be available in the HSU bookstore in the near future.

Life Together in the Way of Jesus Christ

Dr. Dan R. Stiver recently published the text, Life Together in the Way of Jesus Christ, An introduction to Christian Theology. Dr. Stiver, the Cook-Derrick Professor of Theology at Logsdon School of Theology at HSU has already received raves from colleagues.

Charles J. Scalise, professor of church history at Fuller Theological Seminary says, "This book's treatment of the theodicity question is simply masterful--the clearest treatment of the question of suffering that I have ever read in a beginning theology text."

Kevin Vanhoozer, research professor of systematic theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School notes, "Stiver not only provides a survey of the tradition but responds to present concerns, striking a good balance between communicating the heart of the classic tradition and addressing contemporary problems."

Beth Newman, professor of theology and ethics at Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond is effusive, "Dan's overarching image of theology as a journey is provocative and insightful. The originality of this work lies in the fact that he situates these topics in our contemporary context, drawing from a wealth of recent resources and issues to make the topics come alive, without sacrificing a good grasp of the many debates surrounding the topic."

Dr. Stiver wrote the book to fill a gap in existing literature, "In teaching introductions to Christian theology, I had found a lack of a suitable book representing modern Baptists, and the free church tradition in general, that also dealt with recent, major trends in theology. After finding that others shared this observation, I wrote the book, not just for Baptists, but as a book that would hopefully represent well this significant tradition."

Life Together in the Way of Jesus Christ is now available in the HSU bookstore.

The new faculty members you see on campus this spring enrich our institution and elevate the learning experience of our students. Hardin-Simmons University welcomes 2 new faculty members to the Forty Acres family this semester:

Rick Hammer, assistant professor of biology, was previously a laboratory instructor at Texas A&M University where he is a doctoral candidate in botany. He's held a number of teaching assistant positions within the university and was awarded the Frank W. Gould Award for Graduate Research Support in Plant Systematics for the years 2006, 2007, and 2008. He is a member of the Texas Trailing Phlox Working Group, American Society of Plant Taxonomists, Association of Southeastern Biologists, American Institute of Biological Sciences, Natural Areas Association, Sigma XI, and has published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Endocrinology.

Hammer completed his Bachelor of Business Arts in accountancy and information systems at the University of Texas - Permian Basin, and his Master of Science in forest science at Texas A&M.

Dr. Carol Knight Layton, professor of educational studies, comes to HSU from Texas Tech University where she was associate professor and co-director of the Burkhart Center for Autism Education and Research and program director for educational diagnosticians. She was also the program chair of special education and has been program director for educational diagnosticians. Other positions include adjunct assistant professor (1999); lecturer, College of Education, Texas Tech University (1994-1995); lecturer, College of Educations, Wayland Baptist University (1995-1996); Consultant, Southeast Lubbock County Special Education Cooperative (1996); Consultant, Braille Literacy Mentors in training Project (1994-1996); Adult Braille Literacy Empowerment Project, American Foundation for the Blind (1994); and numerous other teaching, consulting and diagnostic positions.

Publications include over 23 articles in professional journals and her book, Assessing Students with Special Needs to Produce Quality Outcomes, was published in 2008. She has eight state certifications, seven professional certifications, is a member of 17 professional associations, and participated in over 14 special projects and development activity. She was recognized on eight occasions with awards for excellence, and presented over 66 workshops and in-service presentations.

Dr. Layton received her Bachelor of Science in elementary education at Hardin-Simmons University, her Master of Education in counseling and guidance at Texas Woman's University, and her Doctor of Education in special education at Texas Tech University. Additional course-work include post graduate studies at Texas Woman's University and language certification at the Spanish Language Institute , San Jose, Costa Rica.

Members of the Christian Association of Student Leaders (CASL) will attend a conference at Hardin-Simmons University seeking ideas and programs to help them make a bigger impact on their campuses. The annual gathering, scheduled for Jan 22 - 24, will explore leadership traits that don't necessarily come naturally, with the theme "Against Your Instincts."

As many as 200 guests are expected from Texas Baptist universities as well as Louisiana College, and Hannibal La Grange, Georgia. Attendees must be recommended by their university and be involved in student leadership. Leadership topics cover a number of areas including student government, residence life, student activities, campus ministries, and freshman orientation.

Speakers for this year's conference include Dr. Steve Bezner, Teaching Pastor at Kaufman's First Baptist Church, and the motivational team of Kevin Tutt and Michael Daggs. Kirk house and his band will provide music.

"Longtime Christians sometimes forget--or simply miss--the fact that Jesus' teachings are among the most revolutionary words ever spoken," says Dr. Bezner, "His commands regarding forgiveness, service, and love run counter to our culture and our instincts. By examining Jesus' words, this year's CASL will explore how Christian leadership ought to distinguish itself. While counter-intuitive, the Jesus Way continues to be the best way."

Dr. Bezner holds a B.A. in Biblical Studies and an M.A. in Religion from Hardin-Simmons University, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Religion from Baylor University. His ministry focuses on creating biblical forms of discipleship that integrate obedience, community, and mission. Steve enjoys writing and thinking about theology and popular culture, blogging, teaching, golf, and going to the movies. He is a gifted teacher committed to helping pastors, Christians, and academics see how the gospel can be transformative in their respective domains.

The team of Tutt and Daggs is well-regarded by leaders across the nation. Their presentations lead participants through an entertaining and interactive program, designed to challenge their current level of engagement and inspire them to maximize their potential impact on the lives of the people they serve. They have spoken to and inspired hundreds of organizations across the nation.

CASL is a group of college students committed to seeing Christian leadership come into sharper focus on their campuses. Chartered by the eight Baptist universities in Texas (Baylor, Dallas Baptist, East Texas Baptist, Hardin-Simmons, Houston Baptist, Howard Payne, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, and Wayland Baptist), and under the sponsorship of the Congregational Leadership Team of the Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT), their mission is to equip student leaders physically, emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually according to the example set by Christ Jesus. Financial sponsors for this year's conference are HSU, the BGCT, and Aramark.