Golden Reunion Brings Back Golden Memories at Hardin-Simmons University
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
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