Values and Continued Education Define Commencement Charges to HSU Graduates

“When he fell at mile 19 medical personal encouraged him to withdraw from the race, but he staggered forward, finishing a full hour after the winners. The stadium was nearly empty of spectators when he crossed the finish line,” said Neese. “One of the reporters covering the event asked him why he did not quit. He responded: ‘My Country did not send me 10,000 miles to start the race, they sent me to finish the race.’ Completing a college education is a test of endurance, and today you cross your finish line,” said Neese.

Neese knows perseverance. In his 17^thyear, he is the longest-serving athletic director in HSU history and has held the post longer than any other AD in the American Southwest Conference. Under his administration HSU has won 68 team ASC championships, more than any other conference school. Neese graduated from HSU in 1987 with a Bachelor of Behavioral Science. In 2002, he earned his Master of Education in Counseling and Human Development from HSU.

“Congratulations graduate. Your education starts now,” said Neese, as he encouraged a lifetime of continued education. “You have had to do a lot of reading to get to this point and in my opinion, your success depends on you continuing to read and study.”

Giving the charge during the afternoon commencement, Leta Tillman, professor and interlibrary loan librarian, told graduates they faced the end of life as they know it.

“I hope your life at HSU has prepared you for what lies ahead,” said Tillman, addressing what she called the five most important things a graduate must know: reading, research, responsibility, relationships, and respect.

“Read. Read with understanding and learn how to apply it,” advised Tillman.

Quoting Eleanor Roosevelt, Tillman said of responsibility, “’One’s philosophy is not best expressed in words; it is expressed in the choices one makes. We shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility.’”

She predicted bags and boxes will be packed and unpacked over the next few weeks as graduates move from the life they have known for the last several years.

“Today is the end of life as you know it, but it is also the beginning of your new life as you know it,” said Tillman.

Tillman has reviewed close to 700 children’s books as overseer of the HSU Richardson Library collection available to students in teacher preparation programs. Her published works are part of the Heart of Texas Literary Center journal Lorgnette. She will retire at the end of May after 13 years at HSU.

Of the candidates for graduation, 217 students were earning bachelor’s degrees, 48 earning master’s degrees, and three students were earning doctorates.

As is tradition, a special musical performance was given during both morning and afternoon commencement ceremonies by Wenhui “Sherry” Dou, Heilongjiang, China, who earned a Master of Music degree in piano performance.

Dou received a standing ovation as she was announced as the recipient of the Hemphill Graduate Honor Award, which recognizes the graduate who has excelled in academic studies, possesses character and behavior consistent with the university’s purpose, and exhibits potential for significant contribution to his or her chosen field. Duo has persevered to earn her master’s degree, surmounting blindness and having to learn English as a second language.

Recipients of other special awards were Raymond Cadjew, named the 2014 recipient of the George Skiles Anderson Award, presented to a senior male with three or more years in residence at HSU who has excelled in character, personal development, and service to the university.

Lauren Maurer was the recipient of the 2014 Minnie L. Anderson Award, presented to a senior female who has spent three or more years in residence at Hardin-Simmons University and has excelled in character, personal development, and service to the university.

Devon Howard was named the recipient of the Julius Olsen Medal. The Olsen Medal is awarded to the graduate who has the highest grade average, who has exemplified the highest scholarly achievement, and has completed at least 90 semester hours of residence credit at Hardin-Simmons.

Ten students were recognized for earning a perfect grade-point average: Raymond Cadjew, B.S. biology, Snyder, Texas; Emma Hardin, B.S. nursing, St. Hedwig, Texas; Bailey Jarvis, B.B.S. communications, Abilene, Texas; Clara Kromer, B.B.S. communications, Austin, Texas; Stephanie Robinson, B.S. nursing, Abilene, Texas; Hannah Steed, B.B.S. communication sciences and disorders, San Angelo, Texas; Devon Howard, B.B.A. accounting and economics, Abilene, Texas; Lauren Maurer, B.M music, Abilene, Texas; Michele Norman, B.B.S. elementary education, Canyon, Texas; and Isaac Patterson, B.B.A. management, Abilene, Texas.

Distinguished by their gold honor cords, 85 students graduated cum laude, magna cum laude, and summa cum laude. Twenty spring graduates were recognized for being named to Who’s Who in American Universities and Colleges.

Neese thanked the parents and families of the graduates for trusting HSU to provide an environment where education is enlightened by faith. He thanked the HSU faculty and staff for a job well done, and in closing, he reminded graduates of the words of philosopherandpsychologistWilliam James who said, “The greatest use of a life is to spend it on something that will outlast it.”

Degrees offered at Hardin-Simmons University:

Seven bachelor’s degrees, encompassing over 50 major fields of study, are awarded by Hardin-Simmons University. Bachelor’s degrees were first conferred by HSU in the year 1895. Including those recognized at the spring commencement 2014, there have been 23,112 such degrees conferred by the university.

Seven master’s degrees, encompassing 18 major fields of study, are awarded by Hardin-Simmons University. Master’s degrees were first conferred by HSU in 1926. Including those recognized during the spring commencement, there have been 4,735 such degrees awarded by the university.          

Three doctoral degrees with three major fields of study are awarded by Hardin-Simmons University: a Doctor of Education in Leadership Studies, a Doctor of Ministry, and a Doctor of Physical Therapy. Doctoral degrees were first conferred by HSU in 2004. Including those recognized during commencement, there have been 299 such degrees awarded by the university.