Carson Ozbun and the HSU Bible Impact

Of all our HSU traditions, the one that has the most life-changing potential is the Bible given to each incoming student. Since 2013, thousands of new HSU students have received a purple leather Bible during their first semester on campus due to the generosity of alumni and friends of the university.

Carson Ozbun

Carson Ozbun hails from Amarillo, TX, and majors in economics. He impressively and successfully manages to share his time in the classroom with the football team as a defensive end and with the track team as a discus thrower. Carson is also an RA for Ferguson Hall, treasurer for the Student Government Association, and still finds time to work off-campus at a local restaurant. While juggling these many responsibilities is a feat for anyone, an even bigger highlight of Carson is his winning character and infectious smile.

Anyone who has had the pleasure of meeting Carson will quickly find themselves laughing and at ease. Through his kindness, he uses his talents and personality to teach others about God. Carson received a purple HSU Bible his freshman year, as is the tradition on campus. He shared, “Receiving a Bible my freshman year was amazing. Since everyone has an HSU Bible, it is very easy to start up Bible studies and have quick reading sessions with your friends.”

Carson initially chose to attend HSU to play football, and when he stepped on campus, he immediately fell in love with the university. “The Christian atmosphere on campus is a blessing to me,” Carson said. “I constantly am around like-minded individuals, which allows me to pursue Christ better.”

When asked how HSU has impacted him over the years, Carson shared, “The most impactful moment I have had on campus was when I had the opportunity to lead two of my best friends and teammates to Christ on a random Thursday in the dorms. I went to my friend’s room to watch a movie, but God had other ideas about what would happen that night. It was the most spiritually powerful thing I have witnessed in my life so far.”

Cason aspires to be a business owner with a focus on real estate. He also has a passion for leading others.

I would recommend HSU to potential students because of the shared love for Christ on campus. The faculty and staff here at Hardin-Simmons want the very best for its students and will do everything in their power to help students succeed.

Traditions are powerful because they’re passed down from generation to generation. Please consider giving a Bible to an HSU student to carry on HSU’s commitment to teaching and training young men and women for Christ. Carson added, “I would not be the person I am today without the people of Hardin-Simmons, including those who give Bibles to freshmen when they first get on campus.”

Carson Ozbun, along with current students Nina Tarasovets and Hillary Haywood, was invited to help spread awareness of the Bible tradition. Each of these students is a reminder that no matter the path taken to get here, or the path taken after graduation, the Bible received during their first semester is a reminder of the Christian faith and values instilled in their time at Hardin-Simmons University.