Dr. Eddie C. Hadlock

College President – Community Leader

Dr. Eddie C. Hadlock was born in Prescott, Arizona, to Earl “Rusty” and Robbie Hadlock. He graduated from Buena High School in Sierra Vista, Arizona. As a youth, he was active in extracurricular activities, including student government, the Boy Scouts, football, basketball, and track. He played French horn in the band and was elected student body president during his senior year.

The life and career ahead of him would include serving his nation as an officer in the United States Navy, public school teaching, counseling, extensive involvement and leadership in his church and community, and distinguished service in college administration.

He began his university education at Hardin-Simmons University where he earned his bachelor of science degree with a major in business education and a minor in physical education. At HSU, he was elected vice president of his freshman class and Sophomore Senator. He was in Tau Alpha Phi and ROTC, and was a wing advisor in Ferguson Hall and head wing advisor in Anderson Hall. In addition, he worked the front desk in the new Moody Center and ran the bowling alley. He was, also, in the Navy Reserves in Abilene.

His graduate studies led to a master of education degree in counseling from East Texas State University. Continuing his studies at ETSU, he earned his doctorate in education with a major in Guidance (with emphasis in student personnel administration) and minors in psychology and community college education. His dissertation focused on the Relationship Between Psychological Security and Risk Taking on Career Choice.

Following his graduation from Hardin-Simmons in 1967, Eddie proudly served his nation in the United States Navy. He completed Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island and the Naval Supply Corps School, in Athens, Georgia. From there he served as Assistant Supply and Disbursing Officer on the USS Charleston.

Following his military service, Eddie began a career in public education in which he would serve for 45 years. For the first four years he would be a teacher in two different school systems and would also complete his master’s and doctorate degrees. He taught special education for the Virginia Beach Public Schools and served as a career education teacher in the Plano Independent School District.

He moved to higher education in 1974 and spent the remainder of his career at that level. His service included work at North Central Texas College and Odessa College. His positions included work as a vocational counselor, director of vocational counseling and testing, registrar, director of admissions, dean of student services, dean of arts and sciences, vice president of instruction, interim president, and president.

As president of North Central Texas College, Dr. Hadlock led the construction of the technical education building, the opening of a new campus in Flower Mound, Texas, the addition of Graham Independent School district to the NCTC college district, and successfully securing the College’s first U.S. Department of Education Title III Grant, entitled “Strengthening an Institution.”

President Hadlock has a long history of involvement in his community. He has served as a member and as president of the Cooke County Camp Fire Board of Directors, President of the Edison PTA, President of the Gainesville Kiwanis Club, and bond election treasurer for the Gainesville Independent School District’s Educational Excellence Committee. He, also, served the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce as board member, vice president and chairman.

His professional memberships include the Texas Association of Community Colleges, Texas Association of Community College Chief Student Affairs Administrators (including servicing as vice president of this statewide organization), Texas Community College Teachers Association, Texas Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers and the Junior College Student Personnel Association. In addition, Dr. Hadlock served for 14 years as a member of the Reaffirmation Committee of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and as Chair of the North Texas Community College Consortium.

Devoted to his church, First Baptist Church of Gainesville, he has been heavily involved in the ministry of his congregation. He has served on the Board of Deacons since 1974 and has been elected twice as the Chairman of the Deacons. For ten years, Dr. Hadlock served as Director of Television Services and he chaired the Pastor Search Committee in 2001. He currently teaches Sunday School and is Coordinator of Senior Adult Activities.

He is married to the love of his life, former Abilenian, Donna Karr Hadlock. They met while at HSU, at a Baptist Training Union activity at First Baptist Church of Abilene and Dr. Elwin Skiles performed their wedding ceremony. They have two adult children, Dr. Heather Hadlock and David Hadlock, and two grandchildren, Ashton and Zander.

As a Christian gentleman, a Navy veteran and a distinguished higher education professional, Dr. Hadlock has represented his alma mater well. It is a high honor for Hardin-Simmons University to recognize one of her own and to formally induct Dr. Eddie C. Hadlock into the HSU Hall of Leaders.