HSU Insider

It's already happened once. A resourceful senior from Coronado High School in Lubbock earned the one-year free ride to Hardin Simmons University last May.

If $18,750 tor your education sounds good to you, then all it takes is a winning entry in the "Lights, Camera, Free Ride" scholarship competition!

All high school seniors graduating May 2009 are eligible for the contest. All you have to do is submit a 60 second video clip themed, "What would I do with my diploma from HSU!" You can mail, drop off your video submission, or post your video on YouTube.

Just make sure you check the rules and regs for the contest on the HSU Homepage.

Last year's winner was Raul "Anthony" Diaz, who is now an accounting major at HSU, who beat out 31 extremely creative videos from as far away as Kailua, Hawaii.

Diaz said he was shocked when his name was announced, "This is wonderful, I've always wanted to be able to make my own way, and this lets me get started on my degree without putting a burden on my parents."

"Anthony's video created a compelling atmosphere to show how he would make use of his diploma from HSU," said Leland Harden, HSU's Vice President for Institutional Advancement. "He displayed thought, focus, and wit in his presentation that made him stand above the rest."

"This is a great collaboration with KRBC TV and an awesome opportunity for high school students to contribute to the energetic atmosphere of our campus," says Amanda Etter, HSU marketing director. "Incoming students begin to feel connected, be a part of the creative environment that makes our University unique, and show us what they want to do with their degree. Above all, these students truly want to make an impact on the world, all with an education enlightened by faith."

You can view Anthony's winning video at: http://www.hsutx.edu/lcfr/08winner

Videos need to reach us by May 11th! So get out the camera an start being creative!

Rosie Leech walked over to the Hardin-Simmons University Physical Therapy Department, probably more out of curiosity than anything else.

From her home just north of the campus, it only takes a few minutes to get to the Mabee Building, even on foot.

Rosie wanted to know about a flyer that was delivered to her home by some students. Below is the flyer that piqued her interest.
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The free clinic gives students earning their Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree a chance to put into practice what they are currently learning, and it gives neighbors like Leech a chance to be assessed for her physical well-being without costing any money.

About 300 flyers were delivered to homes around the campus. Some churches agreed to put the clinic in their bulletins, and Love and Care Ministries and the Presbyterian Mission all agreed to help get the word out.

Tim Hutton came in to the P.T. clinic for an old knee injury he received in high school. He said his knee has given him problems for years. Hutton is working as a substitute teacher and is on his feet a lot these days. He says the students evaluating him found that his knee joint is looser than it should be.

Dr. Janelle O'Connell is the Director of the Physical Therapy graduate program and says the students did this clinic eight years ago with great success.
So this year, when they decided to cancel the annual mission trip to Mexico, the trip was replaced with this local clinic.

U.S. Government warnings about travel to Mexico were so stern this year, O'Connell says, that she didn't feel they could take the risk of visiting the orphanage for disabled children in Padres Negres, across from Eagle Pass.

O'Connell says her fears were confirmed over this past weekend when news reports told about the assassination of a newly elected official who had vowed to clean up drug trafficking in the border city.

The central purpose of this year's homebound mission, says O'Connell, is "to provide Christ-centered physical therapy screenings for the Northpark neighbors and other people who may be under-served, under-insured, or unemployed." Dr. O'Connell says, "The free health screenings and educational programs will help increase awareness of risks and enhance the functional abilities of those who try it out."

Said says some of HSU's Family Ministry students are also on hand to help anyone with any spiritual needs.

Money for the mission outreach program comes from a grant by the Baptist General Convention of Texas, which the PT department applied for two years ago. O'Connell says the University asked for special permission for the grant monies to be used in Abilene this year because of the crisis situation in Mexico.

When in Mexico, O'Connell says the students help the children learn basic skills like how to sit up, roll over and stand. They also teach sitting strategies to get children to sit outside of their wheelchairs. The orphanage cares for approximately 22 disabled and abandoned children who have no one else to care for them.

As for Rosie Leech, students Kristen Raines, Kristin North, and Elaine Vuelvas put her through the courses and found her to be in good health. Leech says she hasn't had a physical check-up in a while and was curious if she was still in good health. O'Connell says Leech has affirmation now of what she hoped was true when she took the walk over to the student faculty run clinic.

As for Tim Hutton, students Tara Copeland and Lindsey Schofield gave him some strengthening exercises to help him cope better with his old knee injury.

The HSU PT clinic continues all day tomorrow.

A banner hangs from the Johnson Building on the Hardin-Simmons University campus that says "Welcome New Students." Abilene High School senior, Emily Woodall, will be one of those incoming freshmen. She plans to major in business.

Meanwhile, back in Logsdon Chapel, Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Bill Ellis says of students, "You will be astonished at the profound change in their lives." Ellis was speaking to a room-full of parents who will have a student at HSU in the fall. Parents and students are attending Spring Round-Up; the first opportunity to sign up for the classes students will take when school starts August 24th.

Bethany Williams came with her parents, Kirk and Cindy Williams, from Lubbock for the event. Bethany will graduate from Lubbock Coronado High School and plans to major in biology at HSU. She wants to play basketball and has already qualified for the Honors Program.

Bethany says, even though she lives near Texas Tech, she wanted the experience of a smaller school environment. "Plus," says Bethany," I wanted to be further away from home so I could have the experience of growing up."

Bethany was one of about 260 students to participate in Spring Round-Up. Students got their first glimpse of what university life will be like while parents were encouraged to stay in the parent orientation meeting, letting the students test their wings as they signed up on their own.

Dr. Ellis told parents, "This is the first step to making students independent. We want them to start growing up, starting today. They are going to experience life here without you. They come to us with a child's perspective; we send them back to you with an adult's perspective on life."

Meanwhile, new students got the chance to find buildings on their own and even got the chance to win some prizes. In fact, Zack Rule of Wylie High School won a $50 gift card to the book store.

Also of Wylie High School, Hayley Thaxton wants to major in biology and hopes for a spot later in the Physical Therapy graduate program. Dr. Mark Ouimette, Head of the Geology and Environmental Sciences, helped Hayley sign up for her classes in English, biology, leadership, psychology, and anatomy. She also hopes to be picked for the HSU track team.

Bethany has already bonded with another Honors Program student who came with her aunt and uncle from the Houston area. Lauren Ciesiensky is the student body secretary back at Baytown Christian Academy. Lauren says,"My decision to come to HSU was based on a desire to attend a smaller university. My choices boiled down to either HSU or LeTourneau in Longview, and HSU won."

Meanwhile, Dr. Ellis set parents minds at ease, "We will treat your student as a child of God as they learn to negotiate the institution. We will keep them focused and offer them resources like free tutoring and adjustment counseling if they become homesick."

Junior student, Neal Springer helped Emily,Hayley, Bethany, Lauren, and other students sign up for New Student Orientation week, which begins August 18.

As a last step in the event, prospective students and parents got to try out a meal in the University cafeteria. Patrick Neville of Houston, who plans to major in communications, told servers in the cafeteria to give him a little of everything. (Now there's a guy who already knows how to negotiate the campus!)

Vicki House, Director of Admissions and Enrollment Services, says the campus expects at least another 400 freshmen and transfer students to sign up for classes before the start of the fall semester.

"Everything I am, and everything I hope to be, is because of the Lord's blessings in my life taking the form of my mother, Hardin-Simmons, my wonderful professors, and people who feel the need to give to a college student with whom they have never met."

Those are the words of Hardin-Simmons senior, Alexis Smith, as she spoke in front of a gathering of about 200 scholarship donors and student recipients at the annual appreciation luncheon.

Students who receive endowed scholarships are paired with the person who gave the scholarship money to help with their education at HSU.

Alexis is an education major from Haskell, TX, who has a passion for teaching special needs children. "Because of the support from my professors and the wonderful scholarship donors, I will have a career doing what I love, hopefully starting in August," Alexis told the audience.

She went on to explain that her interest in special needs children comes from two sources, her mother and a disability of her own.

"I remember at home playing games like 'Let's see who can find the most change,' just so we could go buy some milk."

"Even though we were very poor I never knew it because my mother was so incredible. She helped me learn to read at a very young age. I know she had to be exhausted from raising two children and trying to keep food on the table while paying for her own education so she could help special needs children in school."

"However, she stayed positive because she felt a greater calling, to make a life helping children who needed extra love and attention. I know that the Lord was with us during those hard days because he is the one who put that passion in my mother's heart and gave her the gift of love and patience."

Growing up, Alexis also had her own experience of losing her hearing when she was small.

"Three weeks ago I was fitted for new hearing aids so that I can hear my students. Because of your giving spirit I am free from college debt and have been able to afford doctors visits and the financial upkeep of having hearing aids."

Alexis is one of 95 scholarship recipients who got the chance to meet the donor of one of their scholarships at the annual Donor Recipient Appreciation Luncheon.

In addition to the $1.2 million in endowed scholarships, Hardin-Simmons students who are new or returning and pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree, receive an additional six-million dollars in Institutional Academic Scholarships for their education at HSU.

"One of my favorite pieces of scripture," says Alexis, "is from Hebrews 11:1 and it says that faith is being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see."

Alexis continues, "I am so thankful that you had faith in me and my commitment to becoming the best teacher I could ever be, and I am certain that with the Lord's help I will not let you down."

Photos:
Alexis Smith (left) with friend Melissa Dorr; Angela Nicolini, Donor of the Edward M. Wooten III Memorial Scholarship, and recipient Zavious Robbins, a marketing major; Jackie Moritz, Donor of the Thomas E. Moritz Memorial Scholarship, with recipient James Moore, a marketing major, graduating in 2010.

When Edgar Dennis (photo left) came to Hardin-Simmons University in the 1950's, it was on a football scholarship. Oddly enough, Dennis never played a single game of football. Instead, he played a trumpet in the Cowboy Band. Dennis says it just seemed like that would be a lot of fun, so he gave up the football scholarship.

When Pete Hart (center) arrived on campus, it was as a football team walk-on for him. It was a bit of a long shot for Hart, but he made it and became a star player on the team coached by legendary Sammy Baugh.

Even though they were both on campus at the same time, it took 50-years for them to actually meet. About fifty 1959 HSU graduates are on the campus this week for their Golden 50th Reunion.

Edgar Dennis, a rancher from Dimmitt, was clearly pleased when the former football star he remembered arrived for the tour of the White Horse facilities. Director Debra Jones showed them the dressing rooms for the riders and the tack room for the horses. As usual, the single miniature horse, Mini Me, a.k.a. Titan (his real name is Vanilla Fever), managed to steal the show and the hearts of the exes.

Pete Hart and Dennis reminisced on how students from the campus got around Abilene in the 50's. Hart recalls, "We used to wait on a bench in front of HSU on Hickory. People would stop and give us a ride downtown. Then to get back, we would wait on a bench just outside of Mac Eplens Restaurant across from First Baptist Church. Again, people would stop and bring us back to the campus."

Edgar Dennis and wife, Leta, still make a 4-hour trip from Dimmitt, north of Lubbock, to come to the Western Heritage Classic in Abilene each May. They say, however, spring classes at HSU are out by then and they never have been back during a school year.

Dennis may have not gotten the football scholarship but he did get a Cowboy Band scholarship and even managed to go on a USO world tour with the Cowboy Band. One of his favorite stories about that trip, he says, "There were only four trumpets that could go on the tour and I sat fifth chair. So to get to go, instead of getting better on the trumpet, I practiced on a whip, instead. As the only whip artist, Prof McClure, the director, had to take me!"

Hart still lives in Abilene and teaches at both the Middleton and the Robertson prison units.

Photo: Edgar Dennis; Pete Hart; Phil McFadden (marimba player in Cowboy Band) of Virginia
Photo: Gay Crensaw Pangle and Bobby Pangle, of Katy, TX, get to know Vanilla Fever.

Members of HSU's graduating class of 1959 gather this week for their Golden Reunion and a celebration of Hardin-Simmons University's Founders Day.

Over 100 alumni and spouses return to the Forty Acres to see the changes 50 years can make (both with the University and in the lives of classmates), and to share stories, reunite with old friends, and have some fun.

Reunion events kicked off on Monday with registration and a reception in the Dyess Welcome Center at 1:30 P.M., followed by a trolley tour of campus. Many of the class come back annually for Homecoming, but many will be astonished at the growth, and planned growth, of University facilities. The afternoon concludes with an informal mini-concert by the Cowboy Band.

The class gathers for dinner at the Johnson Building with emcees and classmates Bill Ballinger, 1959 Student Council President and Johnny Jones, the 1959 vice-president of the Student Council. Alumni have the spectacular challenge of summarizing the last 50 years of their lives into one minute as each will have an opportunity to participate in show and tell. During the evening, Director of Alumni Relations Britt Jones inducts alumni into the HSU Golden Lariat Society and present the exclusive Society Pin.

Tuesday begins with a special 1959 Class Reunion Program in Behrens Auditorium. Classmate, pastor, college teacher, and former army chaplain, Jerry Poteet, will speak to the golden grads and assembled students. Following his address, HSU students will lead the 71st annual Founder's Day tribute to some of the early-day leaders and benefactors of Hardin-Simmons University.

At the Golden Reunion Luncheon class members can pick up a Golden Reunion Medallion from HSU Alumni Association President and Abilene Attorney Chris Carnohan. On one side, the medallion features the old Cowhand statue which stood in front of Abilene Hall for many years.

The other side of the official medallion is the HSU traditional seal of the open Bible and cross. 1959 grad Carlene Spicer says the class raised about $400 from the sale of the medallions which goes to the Legacy Scholarship fund.

Spicer explained, "Larry Lewis, 1959 class member and retired Army officer, came up with the idea of having our very own Class of 1959 coin, and he and Johnny Jones provided the ideas for the design of the coin and conscripted money to pay for it.

In all, the class contributed a little over $2000 dollars. That brings the Legacy Scholarship up to a total of about $38,000. The interest earned on that will be distributed to students as scholarships.

On a side note, when staff members began the initial design of the coin, they started looking for the "Cowhand" statue and at first couldn't find it. But University Vice-President, Leland Harden and former Cowboy Band member, had a hunch that it was in the Cowboy Band Hall. The band hall, in fact, is where a number of old campus icons seem to eventually migrate. Sure enough, that's where staff members found the statue.

Returning alumni bring photos, programs, and souvenirs from their days at HSU. The display will be available for staff, faculty, and students to view at the various dinners and assemblies throughout the reunion.

Photos: Class of 1959; Cowhand Medallion

Dr. David "Scotty" and Jacque Holland never miss an opportunity to see the students who benefit from their scholarships. Even despite two serious events in their lives recently, the Holland's came to shake the hands of nine students who each received $2000 toward their HSU education. Plus each scholarship is renewed automatically for as long as students can maintain at least a 3.5 GPA while at Hardin-Simmons.

This is the 10th year for the Holland School of Sciences and Mathematics Banquet and Awards Program. Dean of the Holland School and Professor of Biology, Dr. Chris McNair, told the audience of students, parents, and faculty, "We are the beneficiaries of the Holland's compassion." McNair went on the say, "We are seeing other people follow their example of giving to the future of our top students."

The Holland's are 1949 graduates of Abilene High School. Scotty attended HSU on a football scholarship before entering the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict. Following military service, Holland received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geology from the University of Texas.

He is the retired President and Chief Executive Officer of Pennzoil in Houston. McNair told the students receiving the scholarships that Holland rose to that rank when, as a senior geologist, convinced his company that there was oil to be found in the Gulf of Mexico. That drew a laugh from the students born in the late 80's, since they have never known the Gulf not to have oil!

The HSU Holland School of Sciences and Mathematics was established in 1999 with an initial $2-million gift from the Holland's. Expressing his pleasure in meeting the scholarship recipients, Holland told students, "Keep God in your life and he will take care of you. I am amazed at your ability to handle so many things. You are involved with people, and that's who you will work with and for all of your life."

Receiving the scholarships in Biology: Ashley Delgado, who wants to attend medical school; Roshan Guharajan, who wants to get a masters in research and go to Malaysia; Tyler Manning, a budding molecular biologist, who transferred from Texas Tech for the smaller class sizes HSU offers; and Kaela Parnell, who is an HSU MVP in volleyball, plans to go medical school.

Getting the scholarship in chemistry, Chance Hill, of Aspermont, wants to be a dentist; Allison Robertson, of Arlington, got the geology scholarship. She is in the HSU Track and Field program and plans to go to graduate school.

Scholarships in Math went to Tom Horn, of Stephenville, who came to HSU to play baseball and hopes to teach when he graduates; and Dacy Ivy, of Sweetwater, who is on the track team and also plans to teach.

Heather Hughes received the Speech Pathology scholarship and plans to work in a Veterans Administration Hospital.

At the close of the ceremony, Jacque Holland told the students,"We love each and every one of you."

Photo: Scotty and Jacque Holland with Holland Scholarship recipients

Photo: Mallory Chain; Dr. Pam Williford, Dean of Irvin School of Education; Erin Gabaree

Hardin-Simmons students last night were awarded scholarships totaling $87,350 from the Irvin School of Education.

About 180 parents, students, professors, and scholarship donors attended the award ceremony. Students in the Irvin School of education are planning on becoming teachers or majoring in counseling, psychology, or degrees using physical education.

School of Education Dean, Dr. Pam Williford, told the recipients that some of the donors of the scholarships were those who were on the receiving end of a scholarship when they were attending school at Hardin-Simmons.

Williford, who has set up an endowed scholarship herself in honor of her mother, said that she and her husband Dr. Don Williford had money extracted from their pay checks each month until there was enough for a $10,000 endowed scholarship. "As a donor, it is a sheer joy to know that my mother will be memorialized each April long after Don and I are gone."

In all 58 students will split the 87-thousand plus dollars handed out. Also, Mallory Chain was named the Outstanding Student Teacher of the Year, receiving a $2000 scholarship and Erin Gabaree of Brownwood was named as Outstanding Student by the Education Deans of Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas.

Western Heritage Tradition in 27th Year

"What are you going to do when you're on the open range and there's no microwave or a McDonald's around," challenges Dr. Jacob Brewer. Four-year-old Michael, of the Woodson Early Childhood Center, leaned a little closer, hoping to hear an answer.

Michael is one of about 200 students from Woodson who loaded onto yellow school buses to come to the Hardin-Simmons University campus for Western Heritage Day.

Overall, the campus sees about 4,500 students from schools in Abilene and surrounding cities. This is the day that HSU gets a chance to educate some younger students on what it was like to live in West Texas even before the town of Abilene existed.

Dr. Brewer, an Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy, went on tell the students how cowboys would dig a deep pit, with the dirt higher on one side, to stop the cinders from blowing out. Considering how windy it was, students could clearly see that the pit was working.

"This is how the cowboys would cook their meals and even keep their coffee warm," he explains to the students, as he points to a shallow shelf in the pit. Alejandro and Jacqueline, in Miss Andie's class at Woodson, were clearly excited when they were handed fresh pioneer biscuits to try.

Brewer says he learned a lot of his pioneer information when he was growing up in the ranching town of Water Valley, just 20 miles north of San Angelo. Little did he know, a few decades later, he would be sharing that info with a new generation, who today, may have heard about pioneers for the first time.

School bus, after school bus pulled into the parking lot on the west end of the campus with small noses pressed close to the glass windows. Excited children, anticipating the field trip, were each pinned with a yellow star designating them as an official member of the "HSU Sheriff's Posse".

Hundreds of HSU students, faculty, staff and ranching professionals manned stations ranging from steer roping to showing the children how horses are shoed.

Austin and Evan from Pioneer Drive Day Care got a chance to bob their heads to the old country sounds of the Catclaw Boys with Greg Young on the string bass.

Western Heritage day has been going on each year in the heart of the campus around the refection pond since 1981. That's after a handful of professors came up with the idea of showing children the rich heritage the West has to offer. Hardin-Simmons has a lot of tradition and history itself, so why not teach it!

NoNow, four-year old Michael from Woodson has an answer to the question, "What do you do when there's not any golden arches in sight."

Photos: Dr. Jacob Brewer (gold shirt); Michael (green shirt);

Western Heritage Day is made possible by the Guy Caldwell Endowment for Western Heritage and the Lee and Lou C. Evans Western Heritage Endowment.

By: Chelbie Bolton

Although April often brings rain, the next couple of days will bring an unusual storm of opportunities for artists and art enthusiasts to Hardin-Simmons.

HSU students are involved in several activities across the community including two different gallery exhibits.

The debut exhibit of HSU student Lisa Beacleay is presently featured in gallery four of The Center for Contemporary Arts. The Center for Contemporary Arts is a local medium for member artists and student members to exhibit their works publicly. Lisa is currently presenting PHOBOS, an artistic expression of greatest fears. Lisa recently won "Best in Show" in the Center's inaugural Intercollegiate Student Art Competition for her mixed media painting, "Carcomorphobia."

The exhibit runs through April 24 and will be open during the next ArtWalk on April 9. ArtWalk is the second Thursday of every month and is a free monthly celebration of the arts in downtown Abilene, involving the cultural and business community. The Center for Contemporary Arts is located downtown at 220 Cypress Street. Normal gallery hours are Tuesday-Saturday from 11am to 5pm. ArtWalk gallery hours are 5pm to 8pm. More information can be obtained at (325)677-8389.

Another exhibit featuring the work of Hardin-Simmons students is on display in the Ira M. Taylor Memorial Gallery. Titled, "High Attendance Sunday," the exhibit is presented by senior art students Zach Allen, Lori Hail, Ryan David Jones, and Shawna Tomes. It will be featured in the Ira M. Taylor Memorial Art Gallery located in the Frost Center for the Visual Arts through April 10, 2009. The display is the seventh scheduled exhibition in a series of eight for 2008-2009. The gallery is free to the public and is open Monday through Friday from 10am to 5pm or by appointment. For more information, call 325-670-2223.

More information about any of the included events can be obtained by calling the HSU Art Department at (325)670-2223.

Photo: HSU student artist, Lisa Beacleay, poses in front of one of her paintings with HSU Professor of Art, Linda Fawcett at exhibit opening.

Thousands of elementary school children will visit the HSU campus Thursday for the 27th Annual Western Heritage Day celebration.

HSU faculty and staff will show up in their western duds to help reconstruct scenes from a time when life was a lot simpler. Faculty and staff will instruct little cowboys and cowgirls as they rope "steers," pump water from authentic hand pumps, and play old-time games.

The children will be able to pet goats, sheep, donkeys, and even a llama. They will also meet the Six White Horses.

There will be an authentic pioneer church service held under a brush arbor, horses shod, and western craftsmen and women demonstrating quilt-making, linen weaving, and campfire cooking.

The HSU Spurs will paint faces, while a Texas Ranger and posse keeps an eye out for those ornery types. Each year everyone seems to enjoy the Cowboy beans and biscuits.

Event coordinator Leianne McMillan says she estimates 4,500 children from Abilene and surrounding communities will attend the event.

Western Heritage Day: The Beginnings

The following, written by Dr. George Newman, professor of biology emeritus, tells us how Western Heritage Day got its start:

Can anything good come from discussions held in the "Faculty Lounge"? If you were to ask that of an administrator, their answer would probably be "no." But on occasion, among the fertile, and oftentimes not so fertile, ideas tossed about, a real gem is discovered.

In the fall of 1981 as a part of HSU'S participation in the Abilene Centennial Celebration, Lawrence Clayton and B.W. Aston put together an outdoor ceremony honoring Ms. Tommie Clack and Dr. Rupert Richardson. This event was held on the lawn of the Sid Richardson Science Center where we built a campfire. My duty was to control the fire and not let the glowing coals get out of control. This event was held primarily for the HSU family and a few honored guests, and a good time was had by all.

Now back to the faculty lounge. As I recall, a discussion developed among a group of renegades, namely: Lawrence Clayton, BW Aston, Bill Curtis, Randy Armstrong, and myself. We were talking about how much fun we had at the outdoor ceremony honoring Ms. Clack and Dr. Richardson. Lawrence and I were the only ones of the group who had children at the time, and we bemoaned the fact that our kids would come home once a year wearing a McMurry Indian headband. With the centennial ceremony fresh in our minds, we started discussing the fact that HSU had a heritage just as rich as any other university in the land.

From that discussion, the idea was borne that led to the first HSU Western Heritage Day held in the spring of 1982. The whole campus joined in and enjoyed the fun. It truly was an event that everyone bought into. Each year an idea would come about that would lead to a new event being added as an attraction for the elementary age students to enjoy.

We always tried to keep the exhibits as close to actual events reminiscent of our pioneer history. You see, HSU would probably not have made it through the early years without the support of West Texas ranching families. Descendants of those early pioneer ranching families continue to this day to provide support for Hardin-Simmons University.

Lou C. Evans established an endowment in her will that is used to this day to give financial support for the events of Western Heritage Day at HSU. Aunt Lou C. was my great-aunt and was the daughter of James B. Gillett of the Texas Rangers. He served as a Ranger from 1875 to 1881, after which he became the police chief for the city of El Paso. Captain Gillett wrote the book Six Years with the Texas Rangers.

Yes, something good, on occasion, can come from discussions in the faculty lounge.

~ This remembrance is written on the eve, 11 April, 2007, of the 25th celebration of the HSU Western Heritage Day. ~ George A. Newman, Ph.D.

Western Heritage Day is made possible by the Guy Caldwell Endowment for Western Heritage and the Lee and Lou C. Evans Western Heritage Endowment.

When Sheryll Ellis-Harris of Duncanville came to the Women in Ministry Conference at Hardin-Simmons University, she hoped to go home with some new ideas on how to minister better to residents living in two assisted-living communities served by her church.

Ellis-Harris is an Associate Minister of the Community Mission Baptist Church in DeSoto. Every Saturday she visits the senior citizens who live in two facilities in DeSoto and Cedar Hill, taking gifts and leading them in Bible study and prayer.

But she doesn't do it alone. Part of her job as an Associate Minister is to organize groups of adults and children from the church to go each weekend to pray, study, and sing with the residents. She even takes her clarinet-playing nieces, 7th grader Jackie, and Sandra, who will be a high school senior.

Sheryll's full-time job is with the housing Authority in Dallas where she has worked with people living in low-income and subsidized housing for 14 years. With that responsibility, she brings plenty of experience to the table on how to help others in her ministry job, but still feels like she is in need of new ideas and resources.

Ellis-Harris is one of about 150 people attending the "Women in Ministry Conference" at Hardin-Simmons' Logsdon Seminary. The conference is co-sponsored by Logsdon and the Baptist General Convention of Texas.

The conference includes speakers from churches, counseling centers, day cares, and outreach ministries from all across the state. Breakout sessions help participants gain a greater understanding of issues facing some of their peers and gives opportunity to connect with other people in varying ministries.

Meredith Stone, one of the Logsdon Seminary coordinators of the fledgling meeting, says, "The purpose of the conference is to provide support for the many women who minister in hundreds of Baptist churches around the state."

Stone, an teaching pastor herself, says, "Traditionally, there have not been a lot of opportunities for women in leadership roles in Baptist life. This is a way to encourage, support, and connect those who are doing it."

Lillian Hinds, Head Pastor for Meadow Oaks Baptist Church in Temple, leader of one of the general sessions at the conference, tells participants about her journey from divorce to becoming a pastor.

Hinds told the group that God started calling her when she was a teenager. The 56-year old said, "Then, a woman could only be involved in ministry by being a missionary or a preacher's wife. I chose to marry a preacher. When we divorced, I could see nothing beyond that terrible event in my life, and I was left feeling like I had no way to meet God's calling."

She continued, "But God kept calling, 'I want you to preach,' He said. But God, don't you know I'm a woman, I'm divorced, and... I'm a Baptist?" she argued. "'It's all under my grace,' He said to me."

So, she enrolled in Truett Seminary in Waco and drove two and a half hours each week to classes. "God began to work in me, He said 'it's not about you, it's about hearing my call,'" she said to the crowd.

Then, after many years of working in other jobs, Hinds got a call from a church. "August 31, 2008, the church members in Temple called me to be their pastor. From that, I've learned that there is nothing that can happen to you that God can't turn into good."

Meredith Stone says of the conference, "It is an example of how Hardin-Simmons can do its part in furthering the Kingdom of God by affirming God's call to all people."

Megan Donahue is a third-year student in the Master of Divinity program at Logsdon. The Stephenville native says she has no desire to be a lead pastor at a church, but she can use her HSU theology degree to fulfill other roles in a church.

As for Sheryll Ellis-Harris, "I have a lot of resources now that I didn't have before the conference" she says. "Also, my 17-year-old niece, who helps me out, is trying to decide where to go to college." She is the clarinet player from Duncanville High School who plays at the assisted living centers the DeSoto church serves. "Now, that I've seen Hardin-Simmons, I think HSU should go on Sandra's list of potential colleges," says Harris.

The Women in Ministry Conference will rotate to Baylor Truett Seminary next spring. This is the second time it has been on the HSU campus.

Photos:
Sheryll Ellis-Harris, Assoc. Pastor of Community Missionary Baptist Church, DeSoto, TX; Lillian Hinds, Head Paster of Meadow Oaks Baptist Church, Temple, TX

Dr. Charles and Roena Tandy entrusted Hardin-Simmons University with the gift of a rare collection of early and antique Bibles just before Christmas 2008. Today, the valuable collection got an official dedication ceremony.

The collection includes 76 examples of Christian writings, some dating as early as the 1500's. Dr. Tandy is a 1949 graduate with a deep connection to Hardin-Simmons. He says 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.

During the dedication ceremony this afternoon on the second floor of the Sid Richardson Library, well-known Bible scholar and author of the popular Ryrie Study Bible, Dr. Charles Ryrie, talked to an overflow crowd gathered to hear about some of the oddities of what he calls the "star" of the collection.

The complete 1st edition of the King James Bible, from 1611, is one of only about 50 that still exist in the world today. Ryrie, an Emeritus Professor of Systematic Theology at Dallas Theological Seminary, says the successor to Queen Elizabeth I objected to the Geneva Bible in circulation in England at the time of his reign - that is the same Bible brought to America by the pilgrims. Almost as an afterthought, King James decided England needed a new Bible, thus creating the best known Bible in the world today.

However, the new King James Version of the Bible was not without mistakes, Ryrie says. In one place, the Bible says, "The unrighteous shall inherit the kingdom." In I Corinthians 10, instead of the word "moreover" it says "move over." "Women shall adorn themselves in "modern" apparel," instead of "modest" apparel, is another of the many problems with the text, he says. Ryrie also points out that the original King James version had no punctuation, causing misunderstanding of the text. Add to that the fact that one of the original translators, a Hebrew Scholar, spent most all of his evenings in a state of inebriation.

Despite its problems, the English King James Bible endures 400 years later. Ryrie says," It is everywhere." It is the most available English language book in the world; yet, he adds, "There are some 2251 languages that still do not have a Bible."

"The Tandy Collection contains several of the most significant Bibles in the English language," says Tommy Brisco, Dean of the Logsdon School of Theology on the HSU campus. That includes a first edition of the King James "Great She" Bible - a 1613 edition 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 introduced by King Henry VIII, who burned William Tyndale at the stake three years earlier for translating the New Testament into English. There is also a first edition of the Geneva Bible translated by Protestant reformers at Geneva in 1560. The Geneva Bible was also 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 has a deep passion for the Bible as evidenced by this collection he developed over many years," says Dr. Brisco. He continues, "HSU is indeed fortunate to have this collection on campus. The generosity of the Tandys 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, an Abilene High School graduate, applied to HSU in the 1940's knowing he did not 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 told the crowd gathered at the Bible dedication today that his interest in collecting Bibles was sparked in 1960 when he heard Dr. Ryrie tell the amazing story of the so-called "Wicked Bible." Tandy says. "It was such a compelling story, about the word 'not' being left out of the Ten Commandments, that he started looking for a copy of the Bible."

Dr. Tandy completed medical school, a stint in the Air Force, and settled at Parkland Hospital in Dallas to practice. He married the former Roena Rainey 37 years ago, and keeps 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 in Dallas.

Photos:1st Edition of King James Bible, 1611; Dr. Charles Tandy

Armed with face paint military style, a head lamp, and fatigues, Hardin-Simmons University sophomore Nick Dickerson knows the stealth involved in a successful game of Capture the Flag.

The event was planned for the balmy spring night by the R.A. staff students at Behrens Hall, one of the freshman girls' dorms. R.A. Abigail Wellborn, a declared Elementary Education sophomore, says it took a lot of planning to publicize and pull together such a big event, "...especially not being sure how many students would show up."

Imagine over a hundred participants gathered around the reflection pond near the base of the bridge about an hour before sunset. The smell of pizza drifts in the air as dozens and dozens of pizza boxes expose a smorgasbord of flavors. Speakers blast awesomely cool music that can be heard from Hunter Hall, Moody Student Center, and at least half a dozen other buildings surrounding the green space in the heart of the campus.

Dickenson, who is a math major, and hoping to coach one day, and buddy Brendan Boyd, a ministry major, say this is the first Capture the Flag event they can remember. So...they came to make the most of the evening dressed in "camo." The friendly, funny pair took a moment to pose in the pond pampas grass for the camera before the games started.

Students chose their team by signing poster boards labeled with team colors as they arrived. Wellborn explained that each of the teams would have a base filled with flags that other teams would attempt to steal and take back to their own base.

The event is one of many events planned across the campus over the semester. Student Activities Coordinator, Lindsey Snodgrass, whose dramatic office is filled with Japanese style lanterns, says she did not plan the Capture the Flag night, but gave some examples of the games and events that have occurred or still will occur this semester.

According to the list, Movie Makers kicked off the season of events in February, followed by Knock-Out Knight, and events that included Smores, game shows, volleyballs, sardines (opposite of Hide and Seek), bands, and black lights, just to name a few.

The semester of events will end with May Day and Melon Madness. You can probably get a mental picture of that zany night coming up, when else, but May 1st.

Pictured: Planners Abigail Wellborn, Krystal Maestas, Lili Muorigkhot, Chelsea Baker, and Dorm Director Rachael Tomko; Nick Dickerson and Brendan Boyd