Doubling the Impact

When Jerrad Grisham ’09 first stepped onto the Hardin-Simmons campus as a high school recruit, he didn’t know much about the university that would shape the next two decades of his life. But one visit was enough.

“Once I got on campus on one of my recruiting trips, I knew HSU was the place for me,” he said. “Coming from a small town, I really liked the warm and inviting feel. Everyone was very friendly, the facilities were nice, and it just felt like home.”

That feeling never faded.

Today, Jerrad serves as the Permian Area Director for Oilfield Services and Equipment at Baker Hughes in Midland. His career path — shaped by a double major in management and marketing and strengthened through hands-on classes in the Kelley College of Business — has taken him into high-level leadership roles across the oil and gas industry. But no matter how far he has advanced professionally, his connection to HSU has remained central.

It’s where he met lifelong friends. It’s where he built the foundation for the leader he is today. And it’s where he met his wife, Kelsey (Byars) Grisham ’11, a former HSU soccer player. With his nephew now a freshman football player, Jerrad sees HSU becoming a multigenerational family story.

Giving Back With Purpose

Jerrad has consistently supported HSU over the years, but what sets him apart is his strategic giving. Through the service offered by Double the Donation, Jerrad learned that Baker Hughes has a matching gift program where every dollar he contributes becomes two.

“It just makes sense to take advantage of the program,” he says. “The more donations we can secure in support of our students, the better.”

What he appreciates most is how matching gifts amplify a single act of generosity. A $500 gift becomes $1,000. A $1,000 gift becomes $2,000. And those doubled dollars translate into more scholarships, more opportunities, and more students experiencing the HSU he loves.

For Jerrad, stewardship isn’t abstract—it’s personal. Baker Hughes’ commitment to investing in the communities where employees live and work mirrors the values he learned at HSU.

Investing in Students, Changing Futures

When Jerrad gives, he’s thinking of students just like he once was—eager to learn, hopeful about the future, and working hard to keep debt as low as possible.

“I truly hope that students can go to Hardin-Simmons and get the best possible education while having the ability to leave with minimal student debt,” he shares.

And then he repeats the phrase that has stayed with him since his playing days:

“It’s a great day to be young and a Cowboy.”

Coach Keeling’s words still echo in his mind—an encouragement to approach each day with purpose, gratitude, and the determination to make a difference. It’s a mindset that has carried Jerrad through leadership challenges, career transitions, and seasons of growth.

“Having a positive outlook and mindset goes a long way,” he says. “Knowing you’re an HSU Cowboy just makes it that much better.”

Guided by that same Cowboy spirit, Jerrad hopes more alumni will explore whether their employer offers a matching-gift program. It’s one of the simplest ways to multiply the impact of a single gift, yet many donors never think to check.

“Most companies have funds set aside for this,” he emphasizes. “The money is there—let’s get it donated to Hardin-Simmons as a match!”

Jerrad’s motivation is simple: Hardin-Simmons is special. It shaped him, shaped his family, strengthened his faith, and continues to inspire him.

“With support from generous donors and company match programs, we can keep moving the university forward,” he says. “We can continue to expand the legacy of Hardin-Simmons.”

Interested in doubling your impact?

See if your employer offers a matching gift program and discover how quickly your generosity can go twice as far. Learn more here.