HSU Insider

Nancy Ellis says a lot of people are asking her one single question these days: "Where are you going to sit the next time HSU plays HPU in football?" Her son, Dr. Bill Ellis, former provost and chief academic officer for Hardin-Simmons University, is now the new president of Howard Payne University.

A farewell reception for Dr. Ellis, held in Moody Center, drew HSU faculty and staff, the president of the board of trustees, the mayor of Abilene, and even the president of Hendrick Medical Center. The event gave a lot of people the chance to pose that burning and very sticky question.

The answer is not as simple as you might imagine. There are some complex issues, both current and historical, that must be considered in order to decide on which side of the field Mrs. Ellis should sit. HSU bleachers or HPU bleachers?

Dr. Ellis left HSU earlier this month to fill the vacant president's seat in Brownwood, but there are still family ties in Abilene. His brother, Dr. Bob Ellis, is a professor of Old Testament and Hebrew, as well as an associate dean for graduate studies in theology at HSU. Bill Ellis' sister, Dr. Nancy Kucinski, is an associate professor of management and the director of the MBA programs in the Kelley College of Business at Hardin-Simmons.

So, you can see why many might be wondering where mom and dad will sit during a highly contested Hardin-Simmons game against HPU. Plus, as anyone can tell you, there is a great deal of historical rivalry between to two universities.

But wait, there are more family ties to be considered. Dr. Ray Ellis, Bill's, Bob's, and Nancy's dad, retired from Hardin-Simmons after 37 years as a professor of Greek and also a graduate dean. Mom, Nancy, graduated with her master's from Hardin-Simmons and her daughter-in-law, Teresa Ellis, is an associate professor and the theological librarian at HSU. So, it seems the answer would be clear. However, there are still some historical facts that enter into this decision, and they do muddy the water considerably.

Dr. Bill Ellis is not alone at Howard Payne. He is now the president of the school from which both his mom and dad graduated. In fact, his grandfather, Dr. Neal Greer, taught Bible and philosophy at HPU.

Hmmm.... As you can see, this truly could be one real family dilemma!

So, imagine being in Mrs. Ellis' place. You are in a room, crowded with Hardin-Simmons professors and staff members. Everybody is standing in line to shake hands with your son, Dr. Bill, and wish him good times as president of HPU. Then, the professors and staff members ask mom, "Which side of the football stadium are you going to sit on?"


Now, if you are a woman with a master's degree from Hardin-Simmons, you are bound to be pretty smart. And since HSU is a Christian university, you are required to tell the truth...hmmm.

Well, as expected, Mrs. Ellis does not really want to answer that particular question, but she does say, "It is truly ironic that we've had three children to teach at HSU. I may be a little biased, but I don't mind telling you that Bill will do a tremendous job as president of HPU."

So, since she is too smart to be cornered, interested folks are just going to have to watch and see where mom and dad Ellis will be sitting.

By the way, the football game with HPU this year is HSU's homecoming game, so it's at Hardin-Simmons. That means a lot of HSU people will be watching and waiting to see how this family dilemma is resolved.

The HSU homecoming game against HPU is October 17. Bring your binoculars if you want to find out the answer to this burning question and a family situation worthy of a soap opera.

Photos:
Nancy and Dr. Ray Ellis;
Dr. Diana Ellis greets Dr. Michael Monhollon;
Dr. Bob Ellis, Teresa Ellis, Dr. Nancy Kucinski, son Neal Kucinski, Dr. Bill Ellis, Dr. Diana Ellis

You Don't Want to Miss This Speaker!

Dr. Belle Wheelan is the president of one of the highest authorities on education in the nation. In fact, the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools is the very authority which accredits Hardin-Simmons and all other centers for higher learning in the Southern United States.

Wheelan will be the featured speaker during the Hardin-Simmons University convocation ceremony on September 3rd. The ceremony will take place in Behrens Auditorium in front of a full house of students, board members, faculty, and staff. The university also welcomes the community and anyone else who would like to hear one of the foremost authorities on education.

Dr. Wheelan is the first African American and the first woman to serve as president of the accreditation commission. It is the regional accrediting body in 11 U.S. states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. The Commission also accredits institutions of higher education in Latin America.

"When an institution has earned accreditation by the Commission on Colleges, it signifies that it has a purpose appropriate to higher education and has resources, programs, and services sufficient to accomplish and sustain that purpose," says Dr. Wheelan.

Wheelan's career in education spans 32 years and includes the roles of faculty member, chief student services officer, campus provost, college president and Secretary of Education. In several of those roles, she was the first African American and/or woman to serve in those capacities.

Dr. Wheelan received her bachelor's degree from Trinity University (1972) with a double major in psychology and sociology; her master's from Louisiana State University (1974) in developmental educational psychology and her doctorate from the University of Texas at Austin (1984) in educational administration with a special concentration in community college leadership.

She has received numerous awards and recognition and four honorary degrees including:
• The Distinguished Graduate Award from Trinity University (2002)
• College of Education at the University of Texas at Austin (1992)
• Washingtonian Magazine's 100 Most Powerful Women in Washington, D.C.
• The AA Woman of Distinction Award (2002)

Dr. Wheelen's convocation address comes as Hardin-Simmons' 15th president is installed. Dr. Lanny Hall returns to the presidency of HSU after an impressive 38-year career in education and government service.

For the past two decades he has served as the chief executive officer of three
Texas Baptist universities: Wayland Baptist University, Howard Payne University, and Hardin-Simmons University.

His previous HSU experience included service as chancellor, executive director of the HSU Institute for Leadership, and the Haggerton Chair of Political Science. Prior to his work in higher education, he served as a high school teacher, special assistant to the majority leader of the U. S. House of Representatives, an elected member of the Texas House of Representatives, and as a deputy executive director of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.

He and his wife, Carol, have two children--Lana McCutchen and Chad Hall--and three grandchildren.

The public is invited to the September 3rd event on the HSU campus. The ceremony starts at 9:30 a.m. in Logsdon Chapel with the President's Prayer Service. The event moves to Behrens Auditorium at 11:00 a.m. for the official presidential installation ceremony and fall convocation.

Dr. Omer Hancock has not only been a member, but has served as president, vice president, secretary/treasurer, and chairman of the board of the In-Service Guidance Association. Hancock was recently honored by the organization for all of those years of dedicated service. The In-Service Association was founded for the purpose of networking Baptist seminaries and schools of theology.

The Lewis W. Newman award is given each year to an in-service guidance professional in recognition of outstanding contributions in the field of supervised ministry.

Dr. Hancock came to Hardin-Simmons University in 1981 from the pastorate. He is a professor of church ministry at Hardin-Simmons' Logsdon School of Theology and the director of in-service training for Logsdon Seminary. He coordinates the undergraduate vocational ministry students in field education courses, and helps graduate students in supervised ministry courses.

The award is named in memory of Lewis W. Newman, who was instrumental in the founding of the In-Service Guidance Association in 1959. Newman recognized the need to bring together those in Baptist schools and seminaries who were involved in similar endeavors.

Dr. Hancock has been the recipient of several prestigious awards, including the 2001 Outstanding Alumnus Award in Christian Vocational Ministry given by the Joe L. Ingram School of Christian Service at Oklahoma Baptist University.

"Preparing future nurses is what I have been called to do," says Dr. Nina Ouimette of the Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing. Ouimette has recently been named the new dean of the school that sits on the northwest corner of Hendrick Medical Center.

Ouimette is an experienced pediatric nurse and has been with the Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing for nine years. She is also a highly experienced informatics nurse, which has to do with the compiling of digital life-long medical records.

"Informatics is a leading area of nursing," explained Dr. Carley Dodd who has been serving as the interim dean of PHSSN. "She always gets high marks from her students," he says. "One of Nina's strengths is that she listens well and makes decisions after she has all of the facts," says Dodd. Dodd has been on loan to the school and will return to his teaching and research job Dodd says he will be available to help the transition go smoothly.

The nursing school is in a unique position, serving students from Hardin-Simmons University, as well as McMurry University and Abilene Christian University. Ouimette takes over the dean's role just as classes are getting underway. Ouimette explains that the mission statements of the three Christian universities are reflected in the quality Christian education offered at the nursing school. PHSSN is the only nursing consortium in the United States.

Ouimette is particularly interested in expanding classroom technologies. For instance, she wants to see lectures recorded for PowerPoint presentations to be used with other interactive teaching devices. Ouimette says she is especially proud of the school's high-tech assimilation learning lab. The lab houses 12 simulation manikins who don't seem to mind a cold stethoscope. The lab is where the real hands-on learning takes place for the students.

Sitting directly across Ambler from HSU, the facility also houses five large classrooms and a computer lab, as well as offices for 14 full-time faculty members.

The Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing has almost 200 students. When college students finish the first two years of their undergraduate work at one of the four-year universities in town, they are eligible for admission to the nursing school. Ouimette says they currently are serving about 140 undergrads and about 50 students looking to obtain a master's degree.

Ouimette's other vision for the school is in missions. "Already, some of our students are going on to be medical missionaries. We have a recent graduate serving in Turkey and several others working in clinics in Africa," says Ouimette.

The nursing school goes to Kenya every other year to offer an international nursing symposium. Earlier this year, 112 missionary nurses from 28 countries attended the event.

The veteran pediatric nurse first served as an adjunct faculty member at Hardin-Simmons for the nursing school. One year ago, she was named director of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program after spending a year as interim director.

Ouimette says she enjoys mentoring and helping her faculty of nurses grow in their teaching skills. She also enjoys filling the needs of her students. Hardin-Simmons development officer Cheryl Purcell says she recently was in contact with a scholarship donor who was interested in helping a financially struggling student "Nina knew exactly who the recipient needed to be," says Purcell.

Dr. Ouimette is married to Dr. Mark Ouimette who is professor and head of geological and environmental sciences at Hardin-Simmons. They have three grown children.

Dr. N. Larry Baker has been appointed director of the new Doctor of Ministry program at Hardin-Simmons University's Logsdon Seminary. Baker, who earned his ThD in Christian ethics and pastoral care at Southwestern Baptist Seminary, most recently served as senior pastor at First Baptist Church, Sun City West in Phoenix, Arizona.

"Dr. Baker will bring instant credibility to the Doctor of Ministry program," says Dr. Tommy Brisco, dean of the Logsdon School of Theology at Hardin-Simmons University. "He brings a unique combination of deep pastoral experience and a proven academic record."

In addition to more than 25 years of pastoral ministry experience in Texas, Arizona, Arkansas, and Louisiana, Baker's rich academic experience includes his service as a professor of Christian ethics and pastoral ministry at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, Texas.

Baker also taught Christian ethics at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri, and served as vice president of academic affairs and dean of the faculty. Baker's experience further extends into denominational leadership, having also served as the executive director of the Christian Life Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Brisco explained that when faculty members sat down to work out the qualities they wanted for the director of the Doctor of Ministry program, the list was formidable. They wanted someone with significant pastoral experience as well as someone with an academic and administrative background in graduate level theology. "We also preferred a person whose doctorate was in pastoral care or a similar field," said Brisco.

Widely published in articles, newspapers, and books, Baker is known as a frequent contributor in the areas of both pastoral care and Christian ethics, areas in which he has frequently conducted conferences and workshops throughout the United States. His community involvement and leadership has also led to numerous awards, including professional recognition in multiple nationally recognized honor publications. He and his wife, Wanda, have two daughters and one son.

"We needed a wise and thoughtful person who understands the many roles pastors are called upon to fill in today's world," says Brisco. "Dr. Baker is internationally known in Baptist circles as a pastor, educator, and ethicist. He has a great love for the church and has the skills and insights to be a great mentor for our Doctor of Ministry students."

The Doctor of Ministry program at Hardin-Simmons is designed to equip pastors in developing leadership skills to handle a broad scope of ministry issues. The program curriculum integrates scripture, worship, spiritual formation, and theological reflection as students address real-life ministry under the supervision of gifted faculty mentors and field supervisors.

"The Doctor of Ministry degree offers the most advanced preparation for ministry," says Brisco. "It provides ministers with an opportunity to develop new insights and skills for effective church leadership in a rapidly changing world."

Baker will welcome students into the inaugural Doctor of Ministry class which starts this week.

Applications are being accepted for the Doctor of Ministry program at Hardin-Simmons University's Logsdon Seminary. Qualified applicants for this program must have a Master of Divinity degree or its equivalent and a minimum of three years of ministry experience. Application for admission can be completed online at www.logsdonseminary.org. Interested persons may also contact Meredith Stone, coordinator of recruiting services for Logsdon Seminary, at (325) 670-1576 or mstone@hsutx.edu.

It's been eight years since Joe Foster died. Foster was born with Down syndrome in 1940, nine years before his nephew Ronnie Prevost was born. Today, Dr. Ronnie Prevost says of his Uncle Joe, "Knowing and loving him was an important part of my learning...."

Today, the Hardin-Simmons professor of church ministry teaches a range of theology courses from an introductory look at the New Testament to high level courses like theological research. It was Uncle Joe, however, who taught him something that is not listed in any college catalog.

On August 28, Dr. Prevost will be honoring this memory of his uncle by raising money for a cause close to his own heart. Prevost explains that his uncle often participated in Special Olympics. As a tribute to Joe, Prevost will swim 61 laps at the State Street YMCA pool. He is asking for pledges to be made to Special Olympics Texas to a fund called "Swimming for Joe."

Prevost says he will request help from some of his students to monitor the laps and keep an official tally. He has also arranged for some students taking fitness and sport sciences to be there as well to witness the event.

So why 61 laps? Why not just 60 or 25 laps? Prevost says, "Joe died in 2001 at the age of 61, and that is the reason for the 61 laps."

"The relationship Joe and I shared was one of acceptance. Knowing and loving him was an important part of my learning that being different does not make one less a person. Nor does it make them less worthy of respect as children of God."

Prevost strives to share the life lesson he learned from his uncle with his students today. "Hardin-Simmons is a place where students are challenged to grow in many dimensions of life: the spiritual, intellectual, social, and moral," says Prevost. "As a family, we are here--students, faculty, and administration alike--to challenge, support, and encourage each other as fellow pilgrims."

Funds raised for Prevost's swim will go to help the continuation of the Special Olympics program in Texas. But it also sets an example for his students, that their professor is willing to "walk the walk," or in this case "swim the walk."

Gifts can be sent directly to:
Special Olympics Texas/Big Country
104 Pine Street, Suite 413
Abilene, TX 79601
Please note it as a gift toward "Swimming for Joe"

And it Ain't for Sissies...

We've avoided skunks, coyotes, bobcats, oh yeah...and deer," says Dr. Janelle O'Connell in a matter-of-fact voice. At least four mornings per week, the professor of physical therapy and Spanish professor Dr. Teresia Taylor leave their houses long before the sun comes up to hike. Sometimes they go together and sometimes they go solo.
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Both are training for a three-day, 60-mile walk. That's right, 60 miles! They must also raise $2,300 each by September 1.

This summer, before each instructor goes to work, they walk a minimum of eight miles. On Saturdays, they have worked their way up to a 17-mile walk with a 10-minute break.

The reason this pair of PhDs is seemingly adopting a motto associated with postal carriers ("Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night...") is because of a 27-year-old grassroots effort that has been raising money for research, education, and quality care for breast cancer.

This November, Taylor and O'Connell will be part of the Breast Cancer 3-Day walk in Dallas, with the money they raise going to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure National Philanthropic Trust project. The 3-Day walk is one of 15 throughout the U.S. this year being conducted by the foundation.

"Eight miles is about 2½ hours," says Taylor with a bit of a revelational kind of snort. "When I started this, my longest walk was just four miles, and I was absolutely worn out and chaffed in places you don't want to hear about. I didn't know I needed anything besides a good pair of tennis shoes. I've never been an athlete of any kind. There are so many things I've had to learn."

Taylor continued, building the picture of a neophyte athlete-in-training, "After the first time I walked, I went and had a whole plate of pancakes." O'Connell, who is sitting in a corner chair in Taylor's office in Abilene Hall, laughs and says, "The pancakes would have been better to eat the night before the walk." Taylor replies, "See, Janelle knows these kinds of things; she's always been athletic."

Taylor says she is doing this because she had breast cancer in 1995. "I am fortunate that the surgeries and medicines are working for me. I believe that I would not be here if it weren't for the progress that has been made in breast cancer research up to this point. Someone, somewhere raised the money for that! That's why I'm doing this."

O'Connell's story is just as compelling. "There are way too many people I know who have had breast cancer. I will have all of their names somewhere on my shirt and hat during the three days of the walk," says O'Connell.

"One of my former students was diagnosed with breast cancer just after she graduated." O'Connell continues, "The wife of the man who hired me has been fighting breast cancer for 18 years." O'Connell says her friend Sharon Gould's name will be among the 20 or so she is wearing during the 3-day walk. In fact, she says, "If anyone wants me to add a name and walk on their behalf also, I will do that."

Stopping to calculate, O'Connell believes they have walked close to 400 miles since they started training in April. "This whole idea started as just a whim, but it has evolved into something much bigger," says Taylor. "I fight boredom, discipline, and illness, but there is a depth of commitment we both have to this. We couldn't do this without each other, though." O'Connell couldn't agree with that any more. "The fact that we are doing this together makes all the difference," she says.

O'Connell has raised all of her required $2,300. "I had two very large unsolicited donations that helped tremendously," she says wiping her forehead in relief. Taylor's website indicates that to reach her commitment, she still needs about $500. She has until the end of August to fulfill the financial obligation.

Taylor has already had one garage sale to help raise the funds. She also has had many very nice donations, which are listed on the website at www.The3Day.org

"This has become for me a spiritual pilgrimage in honor of my many friends and relatives who have NOT survived cancer as well as the next generation of women," says Taylor in a testimonial fundraising letter. "Cancer is no fun. My hope is that these funds will contribute toward making the disease a thing of the past."

When school starts, each has an 8 a.m. class. Taylor says they will have to walk more than just once a day, or do it more than four times per week since their time gets shorter, and the walks keep getting longer. The profs also do cross-training, swimming is a favorite, on the days they are not walking. So far they are still managing to take Sundays off.

As for the bobcats, coyote, deer, and skunks the two have encountered, they say the animals mainly just want to get out of their way. Little wonder since, when they walk together, one bops along wearing a headlight while the other wears a tail light in the dark of the morning.

They say one of their most memorable early-morning walks was not the wildlife but dodging an early morning lightening storm. "We took a break, walked into a McDonald's, and discovered we couldn't even afford a cup of coffee because neither of us had brought money," says Taylor.

Here's the kicker, though. Taylor, a spunky 65-years-old redhead, sometimes questions her own ability to complete the long walks. In those cases, O'Connell says her husband, Dennis, likes to ask the rhetorical question, "How many 65-year-old women do you know who have walked 15 miles today?"

With all of the donations from many friends and colleagues, she has raised $2,800.