Round Table Luncheon to Feature LaDonna Gatlin

Motivational speaker LaDonna Gatlin will be the featured guest speaker at the 2017 Round Table Luncheon scheduled for February 28 in Van Ellis Theater.  

Gatlin was a part of the Gatlin Brothers and performed in Abilene at HSU’s Rose Field House. She is also the author of “The Song in You: Finding you Voice, Redefining Your Life,” and she contributed to “Chicken Soup for the Soul.” 

Her achievements go beyond book writing and singing. She not only holds a Certified Speaking Professional award but also holds the CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame Award, both awarded by The National Speakers Association.  

“We’re looking forward to having LaDonna Gatlin, author, singer, and motivational speaker, on February 28. LaDonna sang with her brothers, Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers, during their early years, in HSU’s former athletic gym, Rose Field House. Soon after, she followed her own path in music,” said luncheon co-chair Carol Hall. “We thought it’d be nice to invite her back to campus after all these years, and she was thrilled to be offered the invitation.” 

The luncheon benefits the Round Table Scholarship, and applications for the $3,000 scholarship are still being accepted: https://www.hsutx.edu/hsuroundtable/scholarships/application/.   The Round Table Organization instituted the annual scholarship luncheon in fall 2010 in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the organization. 

Simmons College First Lady Mrs. Lucile Sandefer founded the Round Table Organization in 1910, and the group received its name from the first meeting that was held around Sandefer’s round dining room table. 

 HSU owes its beautiful campus partly to the group because in 1915, 100 pecan trees were purchased and planted by the Round Table organization, and many of the trees still stand today. Not only did the group bring beauty to campus, but they also brought light. In 1919 the group convinced the City Council to install lights on campus.  

 Diane Cole, luncheon chair, said, “HSU Round Table is grateful for the underwriters and sponsors who have so generously and faithfully provided the financial support for outstanding speakers and performers, thereby enabling the scholarship to grow and thrive.”