Hardin-Simmons University President Announces 2016 Retirement

“After much prayer and consideration, I have reached the conclusion that I would like to retire on May 31, 2016,” said Hall. “It has been – and continues to be – a very high honor to serve as president of this university I love.”

Hall was elected as HSU’s president for the second time in 2009 after previous service as HSU’s 13th president from 1991 to 2001. Hall also served as HSU’s chancellor from 2001 to 2003.

“I firmly believe that Dr. Hall has been an outstanding president, and we want to thank him for all of his positive contributions to the University during his tenure,” said Jerry Sawyer, Chairman of HSU’s Board of Trustees. “I am confident that in years to come, we will continue to see many great things at HSU which are a direct result of his faithful leadership.”

Hall’s announcement provides the university eleven months for leadership transition – ample time for which Sawyer and the HSU Board are appreciative.

“Lanny has proven himself an effective leader time and time again. His shoes will be hard to fill,” said Saywer.

During his 45-year career, Hall has enjoyed varied leadership roles in higher education and government, including service as a congressional aide; public school teacher; three-term state representative from Tarrant county; state agency executive; and university professor, vice president, president, and chancellor.

After earning his Ph.D. in educational administration from the University of Texas in Austin in 1985, Hall’s commitment to Baptist higher education has allowed him the unique distinction of serving three Texas Baptist-partnering universities as president during the last twenty-six years of his career: Hardin-Simmons University (Abilene, TX), Howard Payne University (Brownwood, TX), and Wayland Baptist University (Plainview, TX).

Of all his experiences, Hall counts his 18-plus years at HSU as a particularly rich blessing.

“Carol and I treasure all the years we have been here,” said Hall in a letter announcing his retirement to faculty and staff. “We all pray for the promising and bright future of HSU.”