2011-2012 Alumni Award Winners

John J. Keeter, Jr. Alumni Service Award

The Alumni Service Award is the highest alumni honor HSU can bestow. It is presented to the former student(s) who has contributed the most in his or her field of endeavor toward the betterment of HSU or who has rendered the greatest service to the university. Awards are selected by a committee whose members are established by a campus leadership role.

Mrs. Billie (Shirley) Martin
BA 1948, MEd 1954

Billie Shirley Martin and HSU have a relationship stretching back to 1944 when she moved from Anson, Texas to begin her collegiate studies.

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. In 1977, Billie 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.

Billie 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.

Billie is a member of the HSU Cowgirls (now Ex-Cowgirls) spirit organization. She remains an active member of the HSU Former Faculty/Staff/Administration Fellowship.

Contact her at billiemartin@suddenlink.net

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD

The Distinguished Alumni Award, given since 1970, is presented to alumni whose personal and professional accomplishments are exemplary of the ideals and aims of the University and thus bring honor to HSU. Awards are selected by a committee whose members are established by a campus leadership role.  

   This award will be presented during the Alumni Awards Banquet on Friday evening, October 21, 6:30 p.m., at the Johnson Building on the HSU Campus; $25.

Mrs. Elizabeth (Cohorn) Abernethy
BA 1971

Since her days as a rookie teacher for Hamilton ISD, Beth Abernethy has invested 41 years of her life as an educator, with 23 of those years spent in Administration.

Beginning in 2002, Beth has served as executive director of the Region VII Education Service Center. Based in Kilgore, Texas, Region VII encompasses 17 countries. Beth was just the third female awarded this role with any of the 20 Education Service Centers since their inception in 1967.

Beth (MSEd University of Central Arkansas) holds both a Lifetime Texas Superintendent and Principal certificate. She was a finalist for the Texas Association of School Boards 2002 Superintendent of the Year Award.

At HSU, Beth was a member of Alpha Chi, Delta Social Club, and Student Congress. She is married to Nathan Abernethy '71. Their son Barrett '07 is a newly-minted member of HSU's Board of Young Associates.

Contact Beth at eabernethy@aol.com

Mr. Charles Davis
BM 1984

In June of 1999, Chuck Davis joined the U.S. Department of State as a Foreign Service Officer. Since then he has served in Hong Kong, Beijing, London, Amman, and Singapore. He has held positions in Political/Economic affairs, Consular affairs, Management, and served as the Deputy Director of the Iraq Support Unit in Amman, Jordan. He currently works in Management at the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv.

Previously, Chuck enjoyed over nine years as a Baptist Student Ministries Director following two years as Minister of Youth and Music for Calvary International Baptist Church in Taipei, Taiwan.

At Hardin-Simmons University, Chuck was active in Phi Mu Alpha, Baptist Student Ministries (BSU) and Cowboy Band.

Chuck is married to HSU alumna Elaine Martin Davis, class of 1983, an Abilene native and licensed Social Worker. They have two children, Daniel (19) and Allison (16).

Contact Chuck at diplodad@yahoo.com

Mr. Robert C. Moates
BA 1951           

WWII veteran Bob Moates worked for 20 years as an executive with Palmer Broadcasting Company (Cable TV Division), the predecessor to Comcast Cable, in Naples, Florida. Following his retirement in 1987 as vice president of the company's board of directors, Bob became a Realtor.

Bob also worked energetically with a wide variety of service and professional organizations including a stint as president of the Naples Chamber of Commerce. As a charity auctioneer, he helped raise over $11 million for various groups.

Since 1978, Bob and his wife Jane (Rowland '51X) have donated over 13,000 pairs of sneakers to children in need. In 2006, Bob was named Naples' Outstanding Citizen of the Year and was invited to Washington, D.C., to receive the Jefferson Award for Public Service.

As an HSU student, Bob served as business manager of the Brand, as Vice President of the Student Body, and helped found the HSU Rangers organization.

Contact Bob at auxshunear@aol.com

ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

   The Athletics Hall of Fame honors former athletes and coaches who made a significant contribution to HSU and the athletics program. They are selected at least 10 years after completing their HSU playing career (after five years for coaches), by a committee including current and former HSU athletes from various sports. Nominations are accepted year-round.

   Saturday, October 22, at 6:30 p.m. at the Abilene Country Club; $25.

Mr. Jimmie Keeling
Head Football Coach

Coach Keeling led the Cowboys to the national playoffs - either NAIA or NCAA Division III - 11 times in 21 seasons (1990 - 2011), posting a 172-53 record. In July 2003, the All-American Football Foundation presented to him the Head Football Coaching Award. In 2004, he received the Grant Teaff Lifetime Achievement Award from the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Before coming to HSU, Keeling coached for 30 years at the high school level with a career record of 196-91-11. In 1995, he was inducted into the Texas High School Coaches Association Hall of Honor.

Mr. George Hine, Jr. (dec.) '49/'50
Sports Information Director

Shortly after entering HSU in 1947, George Hine, a military veteran, was named sports information director, a role he maintained for 10 years. He received national acclaim for the design and layout of his football, basketball and track brochures. His work was also recognized by Resolution of the Texas Legislature in 1949. George was president of the Border Conference Press Association four times. George went on to serve as SID, publications director, and head of the journalism department at Howard Payne and, in 1974, was elected to the NAIA Sports Hall of Fame for his outstanding contribution to the field of sports journalism.

Mr. Kirk Rogers '04
Football

From 1998-2001, Kirk Rogers was a wide receiver for the Cowboys offensive attack. He still holds the school and ASC records for career touchdowns (50). He is the career leader in pass reception yards (4,117) and average yards per catch (20.69). He was named the first-team-all-American in 2000 for helping lead the Cowboys to the Division III semifinals with a 12-1 record. After his collegiate career, Rogers played for the Kansas City Chiefs organization and was a member of their practice squad. He has been the wide receivers coach at Southlake Carroll for the last five years.

Mr. Gary Marable '77
Tennis Player & Coach

In his first year with HSU, 1974-1975, Gary Marable and teammate Sammie Courington played for the NCAA Division I Championship. During the 1975-1976 season, Marable was the team's most valuable player, posting a team-best 16-6 singles record and a 12-8 doubles record as the Cowboys won the New Mexico State Invitational and claimed wins over Baylor, North Texas State, Angelo State, and Abilene Christian. Marable later spent two seasons (1979-81) coaching HSU's tennis team, posting a 25-27 record. Gary has spent 28 years teaching and coaching at the high school level and is currently in his 22nd year at Canyon High School. In 2004, he was inducted into the Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame.