HSU
HISTORY,
TRADITIONS
AND
LANDMARKS
Hardin-Simmons University
Abilene, Texas
From
the
President
The traditions of an institution enrich it and ennoble it as much as any other dimension. Its mission and philosophy certainly direct it, but its
traditions reflect its ability to live up to its mission
and philosophy. Traditions are the contributions
of individuals who have been a part of the institution's history and who have interpreted its experience in their own lives.
The traditions of Hardin-Simmons University
reflect the contributions of many young people
through the years who interact with their successors through traditions that still live. In turn, those
of us who are here now and who celebrate the
traditions of the University not only continue to
act out its values, but to interact with those who
have gone before. Together this fellowship that
crosses the years enriches the memories and emboldens the prospects of us all.
Dr. Jesse C. Fletcher
President
Table of Contents
History, Background
HSU In Review
4
Introducing Hardin-Simmons University ... 5
Foundation Agreement-1891
7
Hardin-Simmons University Anthem
7
Cowgirls
9
HSU Bronze Cowboy
10
Hardin-Simmons University Fight Song—
"Parade of the Purple and Gold"
10
Rangers
10
Six White Horses and Coed Riders
11
The World-Famous Cowboy Band
12
Religious Life
Campus Revival
18
Christmas Vesper and
Tree Lighting Ceremony
18
Cornerstone Series
19
Easter Service
19
Missions Emphasis Week
20
Missionary-in-Residence Program
20
Religious Activities Spring Break Trip .... 20
Staley Christian Scholar Series
20
Alumni
Founders Day
Homecoming for Ex-Students
Phonathon
21
21
22
Athletics
Student Activities
Adopt-A-Child Day
Adopt-A-Grandparent Day
All School Sing
Intercollegiate Rodeo
Orange Picking Trip
Parents Day
Pledging
President-to-Presidents
Ski Trip
Student Composers Concert
The Beanie
University Queen Coronation
Western Heritage Days
13
14
14
14
15
15
15
15
15
15
16
16
16
Academics
Awards Day
Cullen Lectures
Fall Convocation
Finals "Study Breakfast"
"Preview HSU" for New Students
16
16
17
17
17
A. B. and Nelva Foster Athletic
Hall of Fame
Sports Legacy
23
23
Campus Landmarks
Bell/Bell Tower
Campanile Bells
Campus Signs
Cannon
Cowhand
Dam-It
Dedicated Tree
Fountain
Gazebo
Memorial Quadrangle
Petrified Tree Stump
Reflection Pond
The Flag Pole
Walton Grove
Acknowledgements
25
26
26
26
27
28
28
28
29
29
30
30
31
32
32
HSU in Review
School Colors
Purple and Gold
Mascot
Cowboy
Year of Organization
1891
President
Dr. Jesse C. Fletcher
(Since 1977)
School Paper
The HSU Brand
Yearbook
Bronco
News Magazine
Reata
Literary Magazine
Corral
Alumni Newspaper
Range Rider
History, Background
Introducing Hardin-Simmons
University
Hardin-Simmons University, located in
Abilene, Tex., was founded in 1891 as
Abilene Baptist College. It was renamed
Simmons College in honor of the first major
donor, Dr. James B. Simmons, a Baptist
minister of New York, and later named
Hardin-Simmons University in recognition of
gifts by Mr. and Mrs. John G. Hardin of
Burkburnett, Tex.
Originally founded by cattlemen and ministers of the Sweetwater Baptist Association, the University has been affiliated with
the Baptist General Convention of Texas
since 1941.
Although Western in motif and environment, the school has always taken great
pride in the cosmopolitan nature of its
students. Throughout its history, students
from a majority of the states and many
foreign countries have made up the student
body.
Full enrollment at 2,000 provides students
opportunities for personal attention on a
traditionally friendly campus in a University
where academic excellence and spiritual
maturity are emphasized.
Hardin-Simmons, a comprehensive University with a College of Arts and Sciences,
Behrens Chapel
Schools of Business and Finance, Education, Music, Nursing, and Theology, and a
Graduate School, is fully accredited and
holds membership in good standing in the
appropriate agencies.
Graduates have been singularly successful in being admitted to graduate and
professional schools and have been readily
employed in business, education, and professional fields.
The compact and beautiful campus is
known as the "Forty Acres." The modern
Mabee Hall (Military Science), the Cowboy
Band Hall, the Woodward-Dellis Recital Hall,
The Rupert and Pauline Richardson Library,
the Streich Tennis Center, the Brand Swimming Pool and J.E. and .LE. Mabee Physical
Education-Health-Athletic Complex are
among the latest additions to the campus.
The climate and location make for generally ideal weather conditions. Abilene is
situated on U.S Interstate Highway 20,
midway between Dallas and New Mexico.
HSU has contributed to the development
of the West and helped establish a city
and area where cultural, educational, and
spiritual values are highly regarded. Two
other church-related colleges in the city
share with the University an interchange
of courses, library facilities, and extracurricular activities. A city civic center,
a library, a symphony orchestra, a community theatre, a county coliseum, a modern
airport, and progressive leadership afford a
most desirable environment in a metropolitan population of 133,000.
Dr. Jesse C. Fletcher has been president
of the University since 1977. Its presidents
include: Rev. W. C. Friley, 1892-1894; Dr.
George O. Thatcher, 1894-1898; Dr. O. C.
Pope, 1898-1901; Rev. J.C. Hairfield,19011902; Dr. Oscar H. Cooper, 1902-1909; Dr.
Jefferson Davis Sandefer, 1909-1940; Dr.
Lucian Q. Campbell, acting president, 1940;
Dr. William R. White, 1940-1943; Dr. Rupert N.
Richardson, 1943-1953; Dr. Evan Allard Reiff,
1953-1962; Dr. George L Graham, interim,
1962-1963; Dr. James H. Landes, 1963-1966;
and Dr. Elwin L Skiles, 1966-1977.
Foundation Agreement-1891
An agreement between Dr. James B.
Simmons and the Board of Trustees made
possible the founding of an institution which
is now Hardin-Simmons University. The true
purposes of the agreement were expressed
in the following excerpts:
"WHEREAS, the conquest of this world
unto Jehovah is not likely to be accomplished except through the instrumentality
of Christian schools and colleges in which
Christianity shall be the confessed and formative principle of their whole organization,
method and life, and in which it shall be
the constant aim of the teachers by a truly
liberal and Christian culture:
To Bring young men and women to
Christ;
To Teach them of Christ; and
To Train them for the service of Christ.
AND WHEREAS, such truly Christian
College must give actual Christian instruction, not only in other departments of Liberal
Culture, but specially—
In the Word of God, the greatest classic;
In the Story of the Church, the greatest
history;
In the Doctrine of the Bible, the greatest
science;
In Christian Ethics, the noblest
morality."
Hardin-Simmons University
Anthem
Hardin-Simmons' school song was written
in the spring of 1917, about the time America
officially entered World War I—hence the
overtones in the line "Great are thy victories
o'er land and over sea." The first few lines
of the anthem and the melody seemed to
come simultaneously as a kind of inspiration
to Jesse Hodges. While he was writing the
stanzas, he sang the tune over and over
again. After reducing it to manuscript form,
it was sung to a few close friends, then at
Senior Class meeting. It was made the Class
song and they decided to sing the anthem at
one of the Commencement services. After
the class had begun rehearsing the song,
Hodges took the manuscript to Professor
Cowgirls
Stiles R. Anderson, head of the HardinSimmons music department at that time,
who did some revising, and the composition
was first sung and published late in the
spring semester, 1917.
Hardin-Simmons, hail to thee, for
famous are thy halls;
Long may thy worth increase, long live
thy noble cause,
Great are thy victories o'er land and
over sea;
Fair daughter of the West, we love and
honor thee.
Hardin-Simmons! loud we sing;
O let thy music ring,
Our hearts are filled with joy,
of thee we gladly sing.
More charming is thy name than all
our childhood scenes;
Thy welkins, sweet and fair,
inspire our joyful themes.
So with voice, with heart and hand,
We bring our gifts today;
Thy sons and daughters live
to serve thee true alway.
So kind and true thou art—let
duty be thy call;
Give us thy noble heart;
we love thee one and all.
For freedom is thy might and victory
thy song;
We'll raise thy banners high with
purpose true and strong.
Thy friends are manifold and greater
thou shalt be.
The 'Purple and Gold' lead on to victory.
Dr. Andy Patterson, composer-inresidence and longtime professor of music,
made the four-part arrangement of the
anthem currently in use.
8
Although not active on the campus in the
last several years, the Cowgirls maintain an
active alumni group. The Cowgirls were
organized in 1925 by Willie Ray McDonald,
then a physical education instructor.
They were the forerunners of many such
performing groups, including the Kilgore
Rangerettes and others at HSU. They had
their beginning as a small "pep squad," but
grew into a precision drill team and service
organization. From the first, they were a hit
wherever they appeared and when they performed with the Cowboy Band.
The HSU Bronco describes the first few
years of activities as follows: This Pep
Organization composed of fifty fair coeds
was organized in 1925 by Miss McDonald.
The official uniform for the organization
has helped perpetuate the memory of the
Cowboy and at the same time breathes the
true Simmons spirit. Miss Glenna Fay
Grant, sponsor for two years, always has a
stunt for every occasion and kept the pep
running high among the girls. Through her,
the versatile famous Cowgirl Stomp was
created by which the Cowgirls "stomped"
their way to Little Rock and into the heart
of the old Confederates. There the Cowgirls
marching behind the colors of the Old
South created a purple and gold atmosphere which spread the fame of Simmons.
The organization marked its 50th anniversary on the campus in 1975.
Attired in their purple and gold westernstyle clothing, with cowboy hats and
cowboy boots, the Cowgirls were featured
at various functions on the campus and in
the community.
Mrs. Duncan Frame (Glenna Fay Grant),
who was sponsor of the Cowgirls for many
years, said the Cowgirls wore purple culottes, gold blouses, purple scarves and
wide tan leather belts.
The Ex-Cowgirls have been generous in
their support of the University, providing
furniture and furnishings in the President's
Room of Moody Center and a display showcase in the Richardson Library. They also
have established a scholarship fund for
relatives of Ex-Cowgirls who attend HSU.
Six White Horses and Coed Riders
HSU Logo
HSU Bronze Cowboy
HSU commissioned noted Western artist
Bill Chappell to create an official HSU
Cowboy in bronze. The sculpture, produced
in a limited edition of 100, is 14 3/4 inches
tall, with a 1 3/4-inch walnut swivel base.
A graphic conversion of a photograph of the
bronze is now used as an official HSU logo,
designed by Darrell Wood, director of communications.
Hardin-Simmons University
Fight Song— "Parade of the
Purple and Gold "
In the 1930's, the late Cowboy Band
Director (Prof) Marion B. McClure, 1934-1973,
composed HSU's fight song which is played
by the Cowboy Band at athletic events.
No one is sure of the exact date, but HSU's
famous Six White Horses and their coed
riders began a tradition in the early 1930's.
What is known for sure is that two men,
Gilbert (Gib) Sandefer, who was then manager of the Cowboy Band, and "Sheriff"
Will Watson, originated the idea. Sandefer
was a son of the legendary J. D. "Prexy"
Sandefer, president of HSU from 1909-1940.
Six lovely coed riders riding beautiful
white horses bear the six flags which have
flown over the state of Texas, representing
eight changes of sovereignty, in parades
throughout Texas and around the nation.
In between Old Glory and the Lone Star Flag
can be seen the banners of Spain, France,
Mexico, and the Confederate States.
The group has been featured alongside the
Cowboy Band in the inaugural parades of
five American presidents, including Jimmy
Carter, Richard Nixon, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Herbert
Hoover. They have marched down such
famous streets as New York's Broadway,
New Orleans' Canal Street, San Francisco's
Market Street, and Chicago's Michigan
Avenue.
Closer to home, the coeds and their horses
have marched several times in downtown
Dallas at the annual Cotton Bowl Festival
Parade, at Stamford's annual Cowboy
Reunion, in Abilene's West Texas Fair
Parade, and are featured nightly at HSU's
annual Intercollegiate Rodeo.
Dr. William O. (Bill) Beazley, vice president
emeritus, has coordinated the group for more
than 20 years beginning in 1964.
Rangers
The Ranger organization was organized
to help the Cowgirls promote spirit on the
campus and in later years became chiefly a
service organization. Although not active
on the campus now, the organization has
been revived several times in the past. The
Rangers dressed in western attire and
helped to promote the western influences
of HSU.
10
Six White Horses and Coed Riders
11
The World-Famous Cowboy
Band
Since the Cowboy Band's inception in
1909, it has been an important and active
part of the Big Country and Abilene as it has
marched in Presidential and gubernatorial
inaugurations, at nationally televised football games, and a host of parades and other
festive affairs.
It was back in 1923 that Grady Kinsolving,
secretary of the Abilene Chamber of Commerce, asked the band to represent Abilene
at a West Texas Chamber of Commerce
gathering in San Angelo, quite an honor considering the fact that the little band had
previously ventured no farther than Baird,
Tuscola, and View, traveling by train and
horse-drawn coach. In looking about for
some distinctive yet "affordable" uniforms,
chaps and cowboy hats became the dress—
and the "Cowboy Band" was born.
D. O. Wiley, also known as "Prof,"
was the first of only four permanent Cowboy Band directors and came to the school
in the mid-twenties, just about the time that
Will Rogers, America's beloved humorist,
heard the band and became its friend and
promoter. He gave the boys his blessings
and $200 "to go buy some new tunes." They
returned the favor by making Rogers an
honorary member of the band.
By 1925, the band was such a going thing
that it was incorporated, with Gib Sandefer,
son of then HSU president J. D. Sandefer,
becoming full-time manager and V.P. Kuhn
taking over as drum major. Kuhn was the
college gym coach at the time and is the
person responsible for the band's distinctive
parade step which moves the group along at
200 beats per minute as opposed to the more
sedate 120 steps used by many bands.
In 1934, the band came under the leadership of Marion B. "Little Mac" McClure.
McClure directed the band until the fall of
1973, just long enough to see the construction of a dream in the completion of new
facilities for the Cowboy Band in the summer of 1972.
In 1973, after McClure's death, the third
director (and former band member) Lawson
Hager, took up the baton. In 1981, Bill
Woods, a former drum major with the band,
12
became just the fourth full-time director in
the long and glowing history of the band. The
band is one of the most widely-traveled
bands around. It has performed at five Presidential inaugurations: Herbert Hoover in
1929; Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1941; Dwight
D. Eisenhower in 1953; Richard M. Nixon in
1969; and Jimmy Carter in 1977.
Mrs. Dorothy McClure, wife of the late
McClure, completed a history of the band,
1923-1973, in 1983.
The 800-member Cowboy Band Foundation, composed of former band members,
actively supports the band in providing the
Cowboy Band Hall, scholarships, and other
financial assistance for projects such as
overseas trips.
Cowboy Band
Student Activities
Adopt-A-Child Day
HSU students team to be "parents" for
elementary school children from several
Abilene schools in early December. The
visitors are special guests at a Christmas
party. The children and their "parents"
tour the campus, get an inside look at a
residence hall, eat a meal in the University
cafeteria. At the Christmas party, HSU
students give the visitors gifts before they
leave the "Forty Acres" campus.
13
Adopt-A-Grandparent Day
The Rest Home Ministry of the Baptist
Student Union each year sponsors AdoptA-Grandparent Day during the Thanksgiving
season. Students adopt grandparents from
several rest homes in Abilene and bring
them to the campus for a dinner in the
cafeteria. Following the meal, students hold
a special program and provide entertainment
for the senior citizens.
All School Sing
The All School Sing was founded in 1961
by Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, the national male
music fraternity, and Sigma Alpha lota,
Gamma Phi Chapter, international professional fraternity for women in music, for the
purpose of involving the campus in a musical
project to promote singing and unity through
music. The Sing, which usually packs
Behrens Chapel with a capacity audience,
has become the highlight event of the annual
Parents Day on the campus.
Proceeds from the Sing are used to promote worthwhile musical projects on the
campus, in the community, and on a national
level. Organizers and those in charge of the
Sing believe music to be a powerful force
in strengthening and developing individual
personality.
The Sing has three divisions: men's,
women's, and mixed. Cash prizes are
awarded to the winners. A sweepstakes
trophy is awarded to the organization with
the greatest accumulation of points.
14
Orange Picking Trip
Since 1972, the orange picking trip in
February to the Lower Rio Grande Valley
at a University-owned orchard near Edinburg
has become a popular activity for HSU
students. The first year, students picked
oranges to help finance the present Rupert
N. Richardson Library. In recent years, the
trip has been a focal point to raise funds for
HSU Student Foundation scholarships for
worthy students.
Parents Day
Parents Day is held each fall, providing
opportunities for parents to become acquainted with the HSU faculty, staff, and
administrators, and for HSU personnel to
become acquainted with parents. The All
School Sing, which is held on Friday and
Saturday nights, is the main event of the
weekend for the parents and students alike.
Pledging
Campus organizations conduct newmember pledging activities for five weeks
during the fall and spring semesters.
President-to-Presidents
Each month, Dr. Jesse C. Fletcher, HSU
president, meets with presidents of the
various organizations on the campus for
mutual sharing. It has become a popular
time for students to meet personally with Dr.
Fletcher and for him to have dialogue with
them.
Intercollegiate Rodeo
Ski Trip
Hardin-Simmons was the first college or
university in America to sponsor an intercollegiate rodeo. The first intercollegiate
rodeo at HSU was held on April 18, 1947.
Cowboys and cowgirls compete for honors in
such events as bareback, saddle bronc, calf
roping, bull riding, steer wrestling, and
ribbon roping from schools in Texas, New
Mexico, and Oklahoma.
The rodeo is held in Carl Myers Memorial
Arena, on Grape Street. A rodeo sweetheart
is selected annually by the student body and
is presented nightly in the grand entry along
with the coed riders of the Six White Horses.
During the Christmas holidays, students
for the last several years have made a ski
trip to New Mexico or Colorado under the
sponsorship of the Cowboy Activity Committee.
Student Composers Concert
Each year, students from the School of
Music are featured in premiere performances
of their original works in Woodward-Del I is
Recital Hall. The concert is presented by
Dr. Wesley S. Coffman, dean of the School
of Music, and Dr. Andy J. Patterson, head of
the Department of Music Theory-Composition.
15
The Beanie
Among others who have spoken on the
"Forty Acres" are U.S. Senator Mark
Hatfield, poet Louis Simpson, and William F.
Buckley, Jr., political commentator. The
official name of the fund is "The Cullen
Endowment Fund for Faculty Enrichment."
Freshmen wearing beanies is a tradition
started many years ago to encourage spirit
in the freshman class, and has been reemphasized in the last year or so.
University Queen Coronation
Fall Convocation
A University Queen is chosen by the
student body from five finalists, who are also
chosen by popular vote. The queen is recognized at a coronation in Behrens Chapel. Each
girl, in a white formal and carrying a red
rose, is escorted to the auditorium while her
theme song plays. The president of the
University crowns the queen after the winner
is announced. The four runners-up are designated as University Princesses.
The first all-University convocation of the
fall term at HSU is held in Behrens Chapel
for new and returning students. The pastor
of First Baptist Church of Abilene always
reads I Corinthians 13 (the Love Chapter) of
the Bible. Faculty members are attired in
academic regalia for the occasion.
The reading of I Corinthians began in the
early days of the University(sometime during
1892-1900) at the request of Dr. James B.
Simmons, a Baptist pastor of New York City,
whose name is honored that day as a part
of the University's official name.
Western Heritage Days
HSU takes on a definite western flavor
in April in conjunction with the traditional
HSU Intercollegiate Rodeo. Horses and
cattle (or least a sample of each), wagons,
tradesmen plying traditional crafts, bluegrass music, a barbecue, and more are
assembled. Primary school children are invited to the campus. Western Heritage Days
also features a Western Art Show on campus.
Finals "Study Breakfast"
Twice a year, students gather in the Moody
Center cafeteria from 10 to 11 p.m. for a
"Study Breakfast" on Tuesday night of finals
for the fall and spring semesters. During the
fall semester, Dr. Jesse C. Fletcher, president of HSU, and his five vice presidents
serve the meal. During the spring semester,
the vice president for academic affairs, and
the deans of the various schools of the
University serve the food.
Academics
Awards Day
"Preview HSU" for New Students
Each spring, special awards are made to
outstanding students in an assembly at
Behrens Chapel.
Freshmen and new students are offered
opportunities during the summer
months to take part in a crash course on
campus life. The program is designed to
acquaint the incoming new students with an
overview of life at HSU in capsule form,
giving them a head start in meeting faculty,
staff, and upperclassmen. The weekend
provides them a general orientation before
the rush of registration and flurry of campus
activities. Highlights include social mixers
with other new students, slide shows on
campus life, academic advising, music
Cullen Lectures
The Cullen Foundation of Houston has
provided endowment funds which make
possible for the University to invite various
notable personalities to the campus for
lectures. Students, faculty and staff, and the
community have opportunities to hear and
meet these guests. Actor Charlton Heston
was on the campus in the spring of 1983.
16
i
17
exams and auditions. Interaction sessions
and residence hall living opportunities are
also provided as well as opportunities for
parents to meet in a separate informationsharing session. In 1984 "Preview HSU"
became known as "New Frontiers."
Religious Life
Campus Revival
Each fall, a campus revival is held on
the campus in Behrens Chapel, featuring
outstanding speakers and musicians. The
spiritual renewal emphasis is planned and
directed by the Religious Activities Office.
Christmas Vesper and
Tree Lighting Ceremony
Two activities which have become firmly
entrenched as traditions in the last few years
are the Christmas Vesper Service in Behrens
Chapel and the campus Christmas Tree
Lighting Ceremony.
The HSU Concert Choir, the HSU Chorale,
the HSU Orchestra, and the Brass Choir are
featured. The program is free and open to
all students on the campus as well as for
HSU friends and community people.
"As an institution founded and sustained
by Christian men and women, the celebration of God becoming man through the
birth of Jesus is very significant to us at
Hardin-Simmons University," says Dr. Jesse
C. Fletcher, president. "We are grateful to be
surrounded by a community of believers
which shares our feeling of reverence and
joy at this time of the year."
Following the vesper service, a lighting
ceremony of the beautiful Colorado Blue
Spruce Christmas tree near the Reflection
Pond at the entrance of the campus lasts
about 20 minutes. The president or his
designated representative throws the switch
to light the majestic tree, which remains lit
throughout the Christmas season.
18
Christmas Tree
Cornerstone Series
The Cornerstone Series, a sequence of
Bible lectures, is presented to help perpetuate the ideals set forth in the Foundation Agreement of Simmons College, now
Hardin-Simmons University. These ideals are
commensurate with the New Testament
revelation of Christ, the Cornerstone of our
Christian faith.
The Series has been endowed by Dr. and
Mrs. Lee Hemphill of Abilene in honor of
his parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. C. W.
Hemphill of Coleman, Tex. Dr. Hemphill is
vice president emeritus of HSU. Both Dr. and
Mrs. Hemphill are HSU graduates.
Easter Service
Students gather at the Reflection Pond or
another place on the campus for a sunrise
service on Good Friday. This event is under
the sponsorship of Religious Activities.
19
Missions Emphasis Week
The annual missions emphasis is one part
of the Connally Endowed Chair of Missions.
This chair is endowed by Dr. Virginia Boyd
Connally and her late husband, J. E. Connally, of Abilene. The endowment allows
HSU to bring missionary personnel to the
campus to hold related seminars each
spring.
Missionary-in-Residence
Program
Because of HSU's support and participation in the cause of missions, the University
in cooperation with the Southern Baptist
Foreign Mission Board provides for the
Missionary-in-Residence Program on the
campus. Each year, students have the opportunity to get acquainted with missionaries and their families. HSU provides
office space in the Religious Activities area
of Moody Center. The missionaries conduct
special meetings, share in conferences and
in classes and assist with information
about the missions effort of Southern Baptists around the world.
Religious Activities Spring Break
Trip
Since 1965, HSU students have taken part
in student-led revivals in churches. For 17
years HSU students traveled by chartered
bus to Indiana. In 1983, HSUers traveled to
Colorado and received an invitation to return.
Each year they lead preaching, music, skits,
and minister under the leadership of
Religious Activities.
Staley Christian Scholar Series
The Staley Distinguished Christian
Scholar Series at HSU is a project of the
Thomas F. Staley Foundation of New York.
This lectureship was established in the fall
of 1969 by Mr. and Mrs. Thomas F. Staley
of Rye, N.Y., in memory of their parents,
Dr. and Mrs. Thomas F. Staley and Judge and
Mrs. H. H. Haynes of Bristol, Tenn.
20
The Thomas F. Staley Foundation is firmly
persuaded that the message of the Christian
Gospel, when proclaimed in its historic fullness, is always contemporary, relevant and
meaningful to any generation.
To this end, the Foundation seeks to bring
to the college and university campuses of
America distinguished scholars who truly
believe and who can clearly communicate to
students.
Alumni
Founders Day
The first Founders Day observance, under
the sponsorship of the Alumni Association,
was held in April 1938, when radio station
KRBC broadcast the event. The practice of
presenting medallions to 50-year graduates
was begun in 1967. The returning graduates
are recognized in chapel and are escorted by
student leaders.
Following the chapel program, the assembly moves to the campus quadrangle in
front of Moody Center to pay tribute to some
of the early day leaders and benefactors of
HSU. The leaders include Dr. and Mrs. James
Simmons, the first major donor and a New
York Baptist pastor whose name is a part of
the university; their son, Dr. Robert Simmons, who continued support to the college;
Dr. and Mrs. O. C. Pope, an early day
president (1898-1901); and Dr. and Mrs.
Jefferson Davis Sandefer. Sandefer served
for 31 years (1909-1940) as president, longer
than any other leader of HSU.
Presidents and secretaries of the student
classes have a part on the program at the
quadrangle. The president of the Baptist
Student Union offers a memorial prayer and
the Reserve Officer Training Corps delivers
a 21-gun salute and plays taps.
Homecoming for Ex-Students
HSU's Homecoming for ex-students is a
long-standing tradition. Exes from throughout Texas and the 49 other states, as well
as occasional visitors from other countries
are on hand. The presentation of the John
J. Keeter Award, the highest honor HSU
21
bestows on an ex-student, is one of the
major highlights. There are a variety of
activities, class and organizational reunions,
a homecoming parade on the campus, teas,
and receptions.
Exes also have opportunities to see a
drama or musical, view the HSU Cowboy
basketball team take on a Trans America
Conference opponent and witness the
crowning of a Coming Home Queen.
The annual Alumni Association barbecue
is held in Mabee Complex and officers of
the alumni association are elected.
Phonathon
The Phonathon is named in honor of Dr.
Rupert N. Richardson, president emeritus
and retired history professor who has been
associated with HSU most of his adult life.
It is a part of HSU's Annual Fund, which
raises unrestricted funds to support the
University's budget.
During the month of April, up to 200
students man a bank of telephones set up in
the lobby of HSU's Moody Center to call HSU
alumni scattered over the nation, asking
them for pledges to the Annual Fund. The
goal for the Phonathon each year is
equivalent to Dr. Richardson's age multiplied by $1,000.
22
Phonathon
Athletics
A.B. and Nelva Foster
Athletic Hall of Fame
Five men who helped push HSU into
national prominence in athletics were the
first five inductees into HSU's Athletic Hall
of Fame in September, 1979. They were Virgil
Bradley, F. Alton Terry, Clyde Turner, Warren
Woodson, and Rudolph Mobley. Each year,
additional inductees are included in the Hall
of Fame which is housed in the University's
Mabee Physical Education-Health-Athletic
Complex. The Hall of Fame is named in
honor of A.B. and Nelva Foster of Pecos,
Tex. Foster was a member of the 1946-47
football and basketball teams. The couple
gave generously to provide for the Hall
of Fame room at HSU. The 1946 football
team was the only undefeated, untied
team in the Southwest that year, capping a 10-0 regular season with a
victory in the Sun Bowl.
Sports Legacy
With appearances in nine bowl games by
its football teams, two trips to the NCAA
basketball playoffs, a NAIA national championship in golf, a NCAA individual champion in track, and numerous major conference championships and all-conference
selections over the years, Hardin-Simmons
University enjoys one of the richest athletic
legacies of any school its size in the nation.
In the decade of the forties, the Cowboys
were the 10th winningest major college
football team in the nation. From 1941-45,
HSU was the seventh winningest team in
the nation behind Tennessee, Tulsa, Notre
Dame, Alabama, Duquesne, and Army.
Frank Kimbrough returned to his alma
mater in 1935 to guide HSU to its athletic
fortunes, and to "the golden era of big-time
football". Kimbrough-coached teams, won
84% of their games, went to two bowl
games, and garnered two undefeated
seasons. In Kimbrough's first season, his
team tied New Mexico in the first annual
Sun Bowl.
23
Campus Landmarks
Rudolph H. "Doc" Mobley led the nation
in rushing, breaking the national record
held by Wizzer White.
Warren B. Woodson became head coach
in 1941 when Kimbrough went to Baylor. In
1942 the Cowboys posted a 10-0 regular
season record, winning the Border Conference, and rolling over Southwest Conference rivals Baylor and SMU.
Murray Evans stepped into the throne
and coached the Cowboys from 1952-55.
Evans had quarterbacked the 1941 team for
Woodson and then played several years for
the Detroit Lions before returning to the
"Forty Acres."
Sammy Baugh, the great pro quarterback
and assistant coach to Evans took over as
head coach in 1955. The Cowboys played
their toughest schedule in history under
Baugh. He returned to pro coaching in 1960
and the HSU football regime rapidly declined.
Clyde "Bulldog" Turner was the first
"small college" player to gain a starting
berth in the College All-Star game. He went
from collegiate football to play 12 years
(eight years as all-pro) for the Chicago
Bears in the National Football League.
Hubert Martin became athletic director
and head basketball coach in 1912. He is
credited with establishing basketball as a
"serious sport" at HSU.
Alton Terry gave HSU its only NCAA National Champion. In 1936 he was the NCAA
javelin champion, and earned a spot on the
United States Olympic Team that went to
Berlin, placing fifth in the world toss.
24
Cowboy Baseball
Bell/Bell Tower
Truly a campus heirloom, the bell was
presented to Simmons College in the late
19th century by Mr. G. C. Bennett of Millsap.
Swung in the bell tower of Old Main building
with a rope that could be pulled, it served
as a timepiece for Simmons College.
Bell/Bell Tower
Students arose by the bell and attended
classes by the bell. The clear tones coming
from the 700-pound masterpiece rang out
to people within half a mile. "It had
a wonderful tone," says Dr. Rupert N.
Richardson, president emeritus. On special
occasions, such as athletic victories, much
bellringing was in order. When Simmons
Science Hall was built, most of the Old Main
building was torn away and the bell tower
destroyed. The old bell then was set on
the roof of Science Hall and never swung.
During this time the bell was dropped from
the roof of the Science Hall to the ground.
The bell cracked and its mellow tone was
gone forever.
Realizing that the old bell was a priceless
token of the early Simmons years, Mrs. J. D.
Sandefer set to work to secure the building
of an attractive bell tower. Her son, J. D.
Sandefer, Jr., aided in this, and the old
college bell has become another campus
marker. The bell now is displayed atop a
bell tower near Moody Center.
25
Campanile Bells
The Class of 1930 provided a gift to the
University in 1982 toward the purchase of a
Schulmerich "Campanile Bells" instrument,
reintroducing ringing bells as a part of
campus life since 1919.
The new system is based on a technology
as far removed from the 700-pound bell that
was rung by hand as the world of today is
removed from 1919. It consists of miniature
bell units of bronze bell metal which are
struck by metal hammers, producing exact
bell tones almost inaudible to the human ear.
The "Campanile Bells" instrument constitutes a perfect polyphonic peal—the tonal
equivalent of 10,712 pounds of cast bells.
The bells function under clock control.
They serve the campus community by
striking the hours from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m.
daily. An added feature is a clock-controlled
tape player, which utilized prerecorded
magnetic tape cartridges of carillon
selections that can be set automatically to
play a predetermined number of selections
or bell-ringing programs at chosen times of
the day.
The former U.S. government weapon is
dedicated to Clyde "Babe" Shaw of Ovalo,
a former Simmons College (now HardinSimmons University) student who gave his
life in battle. Dr. Rupert N. Richardson,
president emeritus, says he knew Shaw and
his mother well. As a volunteer, Shaw was
killed in cutting the barbed wire in front
of his trenches so that his comrades might
go over the top at less peril.
A plaque in front of the cannon is
inscribed with the names of 13 former
students who died during World War I. Dr.
C. E. Adams, an HSU ex and earlier Babe
Shaw's basketball coach, provided the
funds for refurbishing the cannon and its
site. He made the presentation to HardinSimmons school officials.
The memorial in front of the cannon reads:
TO ALL HARDIN-SIMMONS MEN AND WOMEN
WHO HAVE SERVED THEIR COUNTRY IN WAR.
Campus Signs
Hardin-Simmons graduating Class of
1928 paid for the 35 foot-long granite sign
located at the main entrance to the campus
off Ambler. The sign is constructed of red
granite brought from Marble Falls, Tex. It is
built upon a concrete base, is two feet
thick and stands three feet high.
The Class of 1956 provided the HardinSimmons University metal sign located at
the corner of Ambler and Pine.
Cannon
The cannon near the entrance to HSU
commemorates the former students who
gave their lives for their country. It is named
"Arizona Bill" in honor of one of the war
dead, Kenneth (Arizona Bill) Burns, who was
killed during World War I as he carried a
message through a thick stream of fire.
It is located in an area knows as Fort
Babe Shaw and has rested near the entrance
to Hardin-Simmons since shortly after World
War I.
26
Cannon
Cowhand
The statue of "The Old Cowhand" was
sculpted in the early 1940's by a former
HSU student, the late Robert E. (Bob)
Rogers. Rogers, a student at the University
before the war, erected the statue in
memory of West Texas cattlemen, who
made possible the founding of HardinSimmons. The statue is now located in the
foyer of the Cowboy Band Hall. The living
models for the statue were Brooks Middleton, now of Haskell and Richard L
Cazzell of Amarillo.
27
Dam-it
Gazebo
Brought from the east side of town as a
pup in 1916 by Gilbert (Gib) Sandefer, Fritz,
the pup, grew up with theClass of 1920. How
he got his name Dam-it is still a matter of
speculation. He contracted pneumonia in
January 1920 and died. All the campus
mourned his death. He was buried on
campus and the site is marked with a metal
plate that is firmly fastened to a huge limestone rock sunk flush with the earth.
The inscription on the plate reads "Dam-it—
he's dead. College Mascot." The marker is
located across the street at the foot of a
large tree in front of the north wing of
Anderson Hall and toward the center of
Ferguson Hall.
The generosity of the Class of 1929 made
possible the construction of the Gazebo on
the east side of the Reflection Pond near
the main entrance of the HSU campus on
Ambler Avenue. The gift was made in 1979.
Dedicated Tree
The HSU Student Congress dedicated an
oak tree and placed a marker nearby in honor
of the students who have given their
lives in honor of their country since World
War I. The tree and marker are located on the
east side of the Reflection Pond near the
Babe Shaw Cannon memorial. The inscription reads:
Gazebo
THIS TREE IS DEDICATED
TO THE
HARDIN-SIMMONS UNIVERSITY
STUDENTS WHO HAVE GIVEN
THEIR LIVES TO THEIR
COUNTRY SINCE WORLD WAR I
DEDICATED
NOVEMBER 1, 1981
HSU STUDENT CONGRESS
Fountain
The Classes of 1964 and 1965 paid for the
construction of a fountain, 18 feet in
diameter, and sporting nine sprays and 20
white lights. It was designed by Don
Bridges, director of physical properties.
28
Memorial Quadrangle
Honored early day leaders and benefactors are buried in the memorial quadrangle in front of the present day Moody
Center. The leaders include: Dr. and Mrs.
James Simmons, the first major donor and a
New York Baptist pastor whose name is a
part of the University; their son, Dr. Robert
Simmons, who continued support to the
college; Dr. and Mrs. O. C. Pope, an early
day president (1898-1901); and Dr. and Mrs.
Jefferson Davis Sandefer. Sandefer served
for 31 years (1909-1940) as president, longer
than any other leader at HSU.
Mrs. James (Mary E.) Simmons was the
first buried at the gravesite in 1897. The
last person buried at the site was Mrs. Pope
who outlived her husband by half a century.
Because President Sandefer and his wife
were linked with the University for so long,
it seemed appropriate for them to be buried
on the campus.
29
The Flag Pole
Petrified Tree Stump
HSU's Class of 1919 made possible the
Petrified Tree Stump which is situated
across from Abilene Hall. It was taken from
the sand beds in the vicinity of Clyde and
was brought to the campus by the late D.
Q. Riddle, editor of the Bronco and a
member of the 1919 class.
The Reserve Officers Training Corps
(ROTC) erected a flag pole near the main
entrance of the campus as a memorial to
Maj. Albert B. Maroscher, former assistant
professor of military science at HSU, who
was killed in action in Vietnam on April 15,
1968. The pole, manufactured by the 111th
Engineer Headquarters, Texas National
Guard, is 62 feet high and is surrounded by
a 10-foot octagonal concrete surface with
approach sidewalks on the east and west
and benches on the north and south. A
bronze plaque in honor of Maj. Maroscher
has been placed at the flagpole.
Maroscher was a Romanian native and
later became a naturalized American citizen.
Petrified Tree Stump
Reflection Pond
Since 1978, one of the impressive landmarks on the "Forty Acres" has been the
Reflection Pond, made possible by Mr. Frank
Wood, Jr. Don Bridges, director of physical
properties at HSU, supervised the project.
The pond has Koi fish, direct descendants
of those in the pond of the Imperial Palace
in Tokyo, the home of the Emperor. They
were obtained from the Fort Worth
Botanical Garden.
jtht
30
am
Reflection Pond
I V 9 V j,
1KSS OTB5» : .^w"1"**
The Flag Pole
31
Walton Grove
Walton Grove, at the east side of
Mabee Hall since 1973, was begun in honor
of Dr. W. T. Walton, longtime HSU administrator and faculty member and vice
president emeritus, who worked closely
with the Reserve Officer Training Corps
program on the campus as liaison. The oak
tree grove in honor of Dr. Walton also bears
the names of the highest ranking NCO's
who have served with the ROTC program
since its inception. The plaque honoring Dr.
Walton reads, in part,
WALTON GROVE
HONORING
DR. W. T. WALTON
FOR HIS YEARS OF LIAISON SERVICE
WITH THE HSU ROTC...
The names on the oak tree plaque are:
Sgt. Maj. Arlie L Mosley, 1952-1,960; M. Sgt.
Elmer K. Busby, 1960-1965; Sgt. Maj. Gerry
M. Pierce, 1965-1968; Sgt. Maj. James S.
Daniels, 1968-1971; Sgt. Maj. Charles M.
Storey, 1972-1975; and Sgt. Maj. John R.
Landry, 1975-1981.
Dr. Jesse C. Fletcher, HSU president
Dr. Rupert N. Richardson, president emeritus
Dr. Elwin L. Skiles, president emeritus
Dr. W. T. Walton, vice president emeritus
Tid McAden, associate dean of student life
The Administrative Council
Other faculty, staff and students
32
Compiler—Charles R. Richardson
Editor/Layout/Design—Darrell W. Wood
Hardin-Simmons University
2200 Hickory
Abilene, Texas 79698
(915)677-7281