Scholarship Recipient: Dan Tagailo

Tell us about your journey to HSU.

I graduated with my bachelor’s degree in 2023, and I always had the intention to pursue my Doctoral degree in Physical Therapy. I applied to multiple different universities, but Hardin Simmons stood out to me because of the emphasis on servant leadership and medical missions within the physical therapy program. I was accepted to multiple universities, but I really wanted to attend HSU’s Physical Therapy program despite the higher tuition cost compared to the other schools I was accepted into. I knew God was leading me here and He has shown Himself faithful repeatedly. He has allowed me to achieve the Mann Scholarship which has helped cut the costs of my tuition here.

Finances are a concern for a lot of students and families. Tell us about the impact the scholarship has had on you.?

The Mann Scholarship has been hugely beneficial to me and my family. Currently, only my dad has a steady income in our household since my mom stays home full-time to care for my brother, who has special needs. Obtaining a Doctoral degree has been a full-time workload for me, so I have not been able to work while I am pursuing my education. Through the funds provided by this scholarship, my tuition costs have been reduced, and this has helped lessen the load on my family, as well has helped keep me focused on my studies. It has given us an extra sense of peace of mind because it can be stressful living from paycheck to paycheck. Because of the extra funds provided, I have extra time not working, so I am able to serve others as a class chaplain and serve at my local church.

How has your degree program helped prepare you for your future career calling?

The Physical Therapy department at HSU has a strong emphasis on service, leadership, and reaching the world for Christ. I believe God has called me to serve in the medical mission field, so I have been truly blessed to be in a program where medical missions are at the forefront of the professors’ mindset. As students, we are taught to be clinicians with a Biblical worldview and to treat each patient the way Jesus would have treated them. To me, that is something special that no other PT program teaches. Servant leadership is the biggest lesson that I have learned here, and I am excited to put it to use in the medical mission field after I graduate.

What has been your greatest achievement thus far?

I would say my greatest achievement thus far has been seizing the opportunities to impact others in a variety of ways. During my undergraduate years, serving as an RA allowed me to mentor guys in my hall in a meaningful way. Now as an HSU graduate student, the opportunities to serve others in the Physical Therapy program have been plentiful and personally fulfilling. I have had the opportunity to volunteer within our local community, such as serving at a public school health event and participating in my local church ministry. I have never regretted taking a moment to be a blessing to another person, and looking back, I can say that is the greatest achievement for me.

What is next for you?

I will hopefully graduate in December 2025, and I plan on practicing as a licensed Physical Therapist and going on foreign medical mission trips to help others around the world. I want to use my degree and occupation to share the Gospel to others. I want to use physical therapy to heal people physically and share Jesus who can heal them spiritually.