Scholarship, Virtue Award Recipients Announced at Round Table Luncheon

(Abilene, Texas) – Recipients of the Lucile Sandefer Memorial Scholarship and the Virtue Award were announced at the annual Round Table Scholarship Luncheon March 3rd in HSU’s Van Ellis Theater. Katherine Park was awarded the student scholarship and Billie Martin received the Virtue Award. The luncheon also featured speakers Christy Wilson Beam, an HSU alumna and author of memoir “Miracles From Heaven,” and film producer DeVon Franklin.

Park, a junior social work major and leadership studies minor from Montgomery, Texas, maintains a 3.93 GPA of while participating in a wide range of campus activities. Park is a member of, and co-chaplain for, the HSU Spurs Dance Team. She is also involved in the Leadership Studies Program, service chair for Alpha Iota Omega, president of the HSU Social Work Club, a mentor in the HSU Mentoring Program as well as the Social Work Club Mentoring Program, and works as a tutor. Park serves as part of the HSU Resident Life staff as a Resident Assistant in Anderson Hall.

“It is a huge blessing and honor to be chosen by the ladies of the Round Table for the Lucile Sandefer Memorial scholarship, and I am immensely thankful for the people who have impacted my life and the opportunities HSU has given me to become the person I am today,” Park said.

Park received “Spur of the Year” award, which is given to the member that the team votes most embodies the values of the Spurs and who is an ambassador for HSU through the way she lives. In addition to this award, she also received the “Sharpest Spur” award, for having the highest GPA on the team during the 2013-2014 season. During the 2014-2015 academic year, she was chosen to be one of two recipients of the HSU Alumni Legacy Scholarship by the Alumni Board of Directors. At the end of her sophomore year she was nominated by the HSU Mentoring Program to receive a Best of the Best (BOB) Award from Abilene Regional P-16 Council.

Virtue Award recipient Martin has a relationship with HSU stretching back to 1944 when she moved from Anson, Texas to begin her collegiate studies. Martin graduated from the University with a B.A. in 1948 and a Master of Education degree in 1954. She returned to the 40 Acres as a faculty member in 1952, coaching women’s volleyball and tennis, directing women’s intramurals, and teaching P.E. classes.

“I love the University and what it stands for,” she said, while accepting her award Thursday. “I’m privileged to be part of it for so many years.”

In 1977, Martin received the prestigious State Honor Award for meritorious service from the Texas State Association of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation. The following year, she became the first woman elected as president of the HSU Faculty.

Martin served as sponsor of Tri Phi social club for 19 years, and also sponsored the International Club. In 1970, she married the late Dr. J. G. Martin, chairman of HSU’s Music Education and Church Music departments. She retired in 1993 as an Associate Professor in Physical Education.

Martin is a member of the HSU Cowgirls (now Ex-Cowgirls) spirit organization. She remains an active member of the HSU Fellowship, an active group of retired faculty and staff members who meet on campus several times per year.

About the Lucile Sandefer Scholarship and Virtue Award

During its centennial year celebration, Round Table members established the annual luncheon event as a fundraiser for the scholarship that is awarded to a female student during the event.

In addition to the scholarship, The Virtue Award is presented to a woman who has demonstrated support of Hardin-Simmons and reflects the service principles and virtues of the founders of the Round Table organization.

Recipients of the Lucile Sandefer Memorial Round Table Scholarship

2016

Katherine Park, Montgomery, Texas, a social work major with a minor in leadership who maintains a 3.9 grade point average while being involved with the HSU Spurs Dance Team and many other campus organizations.

2015

Saleena Ramzanali, Hawley, Texas, a pre-med major who maintained a 4.0 grade point average while being active in many campus organizations.

2014

Andrea Beard, Dallas, Texas, a public relations and advertising major with a minor in Leadership Studies. She was also a member of the Gamma Beta Phi honors service fraternity.

2013

Holly Lewis, Colorado City, Texas, biology major with biochemistry minor, set to graduate in 2015 with plans to attend medical school.

2012

Whitney Browning of Seymour, Texas, majored in exercise science and pre-physical therapy. She was also a member of the HSU Honors Program.

2011

Nicole Little, biology major from Weatherford, Texas, served as member of Gamma Beta Phi and coordinator of several informal campus study groups.

Danielle Kizer, pre-med biology major from Fort Worth, Texas, served on the Freshman Activity Team, new student Bible study, and as a volunteer at Hendrick Medical Center

Recipients of the Round Table Virtue Award

Billie Martin, 2016; Bea Shackleford, 2015; Martha Lacewell, 2014; Dr. Rosa Lee Prichard, 2013; Tina Hunter, 2012; Dr. Virginia Connally, 2011

Supporting the Event

The HSU Round Table gratefully appreciates the following luncheon underwriters and sponsors whose names and honorees were recognized at the event.

Gold Star Underwriter
Dodge Jones Foundation
Dr. Rosa Lee Prichard
Dr. Jud Powell
Dian Graves Owen Foundation
Purple Iris Underwriter
First Financial Bank
First Baptist Church Foundation
Jolene Sollivan
Heritage Sponsor
Shelton Family Foundation
Mike and Marsha Hammack
Hendrick Medical Center

Table Sponsor
Diane Cole
Bill and June Dent
Dr. Lanny and Carol Hall
Susan Keeling
Tiffany Hammer
Dr. Dorothy Barnes
Nancy Jones
Kaye Schwertner
Dr. Brett and Jill Teague
Becky Rentz
Tina Hunter
Tommy and Judy Brisco
Abilene Regional Medical Center

https://www.hsutx.edu/hsuroundtable