130 Years of Classes at Hardin-Simmons

On September 13, 2022, we celebrated the 130th year of classes at Hardin-Simmons University. While the school has been in existence for 131 years, classes did not begin until one full year after its inception. We have come a long way since September 13, 1892, and in honor of this celebration, let’s take a walk down memory lane.

Looking through the school’s first catalog, here is a list of five differences and similarities between 1892 and 2022.

Old Main, HSU’s first building.

1. In 1892, there was only one building on campus: Old Main.

Now, HSU is home to over 60 buildings, including academic and research spaces, on-campus living, recreation and athletic complexes, and more.  

2. In 1892, Simmons College was not just a college.

Simmons College offered preparatory classes for elementary, middle school, and high school students. While HSU does host Abilene ISD’s Holland High School on campus today, the campus now offers only collegiate and post-collegiate work.

3. In 1892, only female students lived on campus.

Since there was only a single building on campus at the time, the third floor was reserved for female students to live. Male students rented rooms in town and walked to campus each day. Today, HSU has residence halls, apartments, and houses for all students to live on campus.

4. In 1892, the total cost of attending HSU for a full year was $180 ($90 per semester).

In 2022, like in 1892, the cost of attendance was made affordable by a strong endowment and access to scholarships.

5. 1892’s catalog boasts, like today, “The work of the College will be Christian education.”

Hardin-Simmons is an institution of Christian education where teaching and evangelism take place in more than just the classroom. All through the years, HSU has been “a community dedicated to providing excellence in education enlightened by Christian faith and values.”