An HSU Legacy Family

As you watch HSU graduates receive their degrees one by one at the annual graduation ceremony, you may notice a wide variety of students. One student may be the first in their family to receive a college degree, while another may be part of a long family legacy of HSU graduates. One recent graduate, Megan Kay Finley, walked the stage this May as a proud legacy student, following in the footsteps of many of her family members.

The Finley legacy began with 1953 graduate, Ada Betty Dunn-Finley. Originally from the small town of La Feria in South Texas, Ada Betty was a Cowgirl during her time at HSU and received a bachelor’s degree in business. One of her missions in life was to share her love of HSU with her family, and she was successful in that mission by spurring on many of her descendants to attend the university.

Ada Betty and her husband, Bryan Finley, had three children attend HSU: Ken, Karen, and Curtis. Following in Ada Betty’s footsteps, each of the children earned bachelor’s degrees in business that allowed them to enter successful careers in banking and finance, insurance and securities, real-estate, and marketing. Karen enjoyed an early career adventure as a recruiter for Hardin-Simmons, and Curtis currently serves on the HSU Board of Development.

All three of the children married Hardin-Simmons sweethearts, which made their returning for Homecoming festivities exciting news on campus each year.  Curtis married HSU grad Vickey, who earned a computer science degree that allowed her to distinguish herself professionally as a programmer for several corporations. Inspired by the legacy of HSU graduates on both sides of her family, their daughter Megan Kay Finley decided to attend HSU and experience it herself.

“The thought of growing my faith and education at a place my family loved was so exciting to me,” shared Megan. “Getting to follow in the footsteps of my mom and two aunts by joining Greek life was something I looked forward to and was ultimately one of the best decisions I made while attending HSU.”

This year, Ada Betty gave Megan her 1953 class ring, which Megan has worn proudly in remembrance of her grandmother’s legacy. After years of hard work, Megan graduated in May with a degree in nonprofit management. Her next step will be moving to Austin to work for a large nonprofit.

“HSU has helped me grow as a person and has taught me many valuable lessons. This school has brought me lifelong friendships, helped me grow my faith, and prepared me for the journey ahead,” Megan said. “Carrying on my family’s legacy was something that was important to me, and getting to represent who they are and what they stand for was something I wanted during my time in college. I am so glad I decided to follow in my families’ footsteps and attend HSU!”

Legacy students are greatly appreciated at HSU, and there is a legacy student scholarship that is offered to incoming students whose grandparents or parents have graduated from HSU. To learn more about this scholarship, email alumni@hsutx.edu.