Presidential Investiture to Take Place September 1 at Behrens Auditorium

(Abilene, Texas) – Eric I. Bruntmyer will formally mark the beginning of his tenure as Hardin-Simmons University’s 16th President at the Investiture ceremony on September 1, 2016.

The Board of Trustees invites all members of the greater Hardin-Simmons University community, honored guests, and special friends to join the University as it warmly welcomes the 16th President to campus through worship, reflection, and celebration.

“This will be a marvelous day in the history of Hardin-Simmons University,” said Dr. Mike Waters, chair of the Board of Trustees. “For 125 years, Hardin-Simmons has educated men and women to prepare them for their chosen careers and to impact the world for Christ. Eric Bruntmyer is uniquely qualified to lead the University into the future, as evidenced by his passion for Christian higher education, his commitment to excellence, and his innovative nature.”

The ceremony will take place Thursday morning in Behrens Auditorium on the Hardin-Simmons campus. The ceremony will include music, a faculty processional, former HSU presidents and current board members, honored guest speakers from the Abilene and Dallas communities, delegates from other universities, and the presentation of the presidential medallion.

The ceremony will formally invest President Bruntmyer with the symbols and responsibilities of his office. The symbols include the University Mace, which represents the enduring dream of the founders of HSU, and the University Medallion, which represents the authority with which the Board of Trustees entrusts the president.

President Bruntmyer took office on June 1, 2016, succeeding President Dr. Lanny Hall. 

The Investiture ceremony takes place during the University’s Quasquicentennial Anniversary. The University is celebrating 125 years since its foundation agreement was adopted in 1891. 

The schedule of events for the day is as follows:

Investiture Ceremony
9:30 a.m.
Behrens Auditorium

Investiture Lunch (Invitation Only)
11:30 a.m
Johnson Building Multipurpose Room

Campus Welcome Party Celebration
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

For additional information on the event, please visit the investiture website: https://www.hsutx.edu/investiture/

About the President:

President Bruntmyer was unanimously elected the 16th President of Hardin-Simmons on February 26, 2016. Bruntmyer came to HSU from Dallas Baptist University (DBU) where he had served as Vice President of Financial Affairs since 2003. As an administrator and professor, he has demonstrated a commitment to Christian higher education through the use of his unique gifts, training, and skills.

In his role at DBU, Bruntmyer created, implemented, and monitored the university’s budget, working with the administrative team to increase revenues from $40 million to more than $108 million from 2003 to 2015. Bruntmyer also served as one of the attorneys for DBU, and developed and launched an Intensive English program in South Korea, while managing numerous areas and departments across campus.

Bruntmyer taught doctoral, masters, and undergraduate courses for DBU, Tarrant County College and Dallas County Community College including courses in Higher Education Law and Finance, Financial and Managerial Accounting, Business and Public Law, Texas State and Local Government Negotiations, and Conflict Resolution Management. Active in both his administrative duties and teaching responsibilities, Bruntmyer’s passion for leadership in Christian higher education is born out of his faith and desire to serve.

Bruntmyer, who did undergraduate work at Texas Tech University, earned his Juris Doctor Degree with a concentration in Business and Litigation in 1994 from Baylor School of Law. In 2006, he also earned a Master of Business Administration degree, with a concentration in Accounting, from DBU.

Prior to his leadership at DBU, Bruntmyer was in private practice as an attorney.

A member of the State Bar of Texas and the Dallas Bar Association, Bruntmyer holds membership in many professional organizations including the National Association of College and University Business Officers, Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas, Council of Christian Colleges and Universities, and the National Association of College and University Attorneys.