Hardin–Simmons University
President Eric Bruntmyer | | |
Students | 1,765[2] | |
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Undergraduates | 1,347 | |
Postgraduates | 418 | |
Location | , , United States | |
Campus | Urban, 209 acres (0.85 km2) | |
Colors | Purple and Gold[3] | |
Sporting affiliations | NCAA Division III – ASC | |
Mascot | Cowboy/Cowgirl | |
Website | www |
Hardin–Simmons University (HSU) is a
History
Hardin–Simmons University was founded as Abilene Baptist College in 1891 by the Sweetwater Baptist Association and a group of cattlemen and pastors who sought to bring Christian higher education to the Southwest. The purpose of the school would be "to lead students to Christ, teach them of Christ, and train them for Christ." The original land was donated to the university by rancher C.W. Merchant. It was the first school of higher education established in Texas west of
The university publicly experienced financial challenges in the late 2010s, continuing into 2020 as the state and the Baptist General Convention of Texas reduced the funding levels of programs in which the university participates. In 2018, the university ended nine undergraduate and four graduate programs and closed five campus extensions (Logsdon Seminary campuses in Coppell, Lubbock, Corpus Christi and McAllen; Acton MBA Program in Austin). These changes also included terminations of staff and faculty.[6] Two years later, in 2020, the university announced that it would close Logsdon Seminary and end an additional 22 academic programs with accompanying terminations of staff and faculty.[7][8]
The university was granted an exception to Title IX in 2016 which allows it to legally discriminate against LGBT students for religious reasons.[9]
Presidents
- 1892–1894 W.C. Friley
- 1894–1898 George O. Thatcher
- 1898–1901 O.C. Pope
- 1901–1902 C.R. Hairfield
- 1902–1909 Oscar Henry Cooper
- 1909–1940 Jefferson Davis Sandefer Sr.
- 1940–1940 Lucian Q. Campbell (acting president)
- 1940–1943 William R. White
- 1943–1953 Rupert N. Richardson–Wrote the personal reflection, Famous Are Thy Halls: Hardin–Simmons University As I Have Known It (1964)
- 1953–1962 Evan Allard Reiff
- 1962–1963 George L. Graham (interim)
- 1963–1966 James H. Landes
- 1966–1977 Elwin L. Skiles
- 1977–1991 Jesse C. Fletcher
- 1991–2001 Lanny Hall
- 2001–2008 W. Craig Turner
- 2009–2016 Lanny Hall
- 2016– Eric Bruntmyer
Academics
HSU offers six undergraduate degrees with 70 majors, and seven graduate degrees with 18 programs. Pre-professional programs include dentistry, engineering, medicine, law, pharmacology, physical therapy, and seminary. HSU offers courses in geography, Greek, Hebrew, humanities, and physical sciences, as well. The university offers a doctorate in physical therapy, the first in Texas which is open to private citizens, as well as Doctor of Education (Ed.D.).
HSU students come from diverse backgrounds and a variety of Christian denominations. With an approximate enrollment of 2,500 students, the student-to-teacher ratio was 33:1.[2]
Rankings
Princeton Review included the university among its Best Western Colleges.[15]
In 2016 Campus Pride ranked the university among the worst schools in Texas for LGBT students.[9] Campus lifeChapel services are held weekly for the entire student body. Neighborhood outreach programs are also available in which students can participate. Baptist Student Ministries (BSM) offers free noon lunches for students every Wednesday. The BSM provides possibilities for students to get involved in Bible study groups and go on mission trips, in addition to hosting concerts and other campus events. Campus resources include career services, a writing center, academic advisors, library services, faculty mentors, disability services, health services, peer mentors, and counseling. HSU's grounds include six residence halls and eight apartment complexes as well as campus houses. Campus infrastructure is built in classic brick architecture, and the school's golden-domed, red brick clock tower serves as its signature building, along with the 30 by 41-ft stained glass wall of Logsdon chapel, on the campus' southeast corner. HSU was named one of the 50 Most Beautiful Christian Colleges and Universities in 2017.[citation needed] Western Heritage DayWestern Heritage Day is an annual celebration of the heritage and way of life in the American frontier that has occurred since the Abilene Centennial Celebration in 1981. The event is held on the HSU campus and includes activities such as trick roping, pit branding, chuck wagon snacks, and a small farm animal petting area. The activities have become a fun educational opportunity for Abilene-area elementary school-aged children.[16] AthleticsThe Hardin–Simmons athletic teams are called the Cowboys/Cowgirls. The university is a member of the Division III level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), primarily competing in the American Southwest Conference since the 1996–97 academic year. as of November 2016[update] had won 75 conference titles, the most of any school.[17] The Cowboys/Cowgirls also competed in the Division III-based Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Association (TIAA) from 1990–91 to 1995–96. Hardin–Simmons previously competed as a member of the three conference championships.[19] For the first 15 years after HSU restarted its football program (1990–2005), the Hardin–Simmons Cowboy football team had the best winning percentage (77.4%) of all Texan college football programs.[20] Also, the men's basketball team won two Border Conference titles, in 1953 and 1957, advancing to the NCAA basketball tournament each time. The Cowboys are one of fourteen teams to have played in the tournament and no longer be in Division I; they are also one of five such teams to have appeared in more than one tournament.
Hardin–Simmons competes in 16 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, tennis and track & field; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field and volleyball. Women's soccerHardin–Simmons women's soccer has been HSU's single-most successful athletic program with 22 ASC Conference Championships in the 1996-2019 period, and an NCAA Division III National Championship title in 2010.[21] Notable alumni
Notable faculty
References
External linksWikimedia Commons has media related to Hardin-Simmons University. |
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