Gloria Gaither to Headline Scholarship Fundraiser at Hardin-Simmons University

Gloria Gaither, songwriter, singer, educator, and author, will headline the Hardin-Simmons University Round Table Scholarship Luncheon on March 6, 2014.

Best known for her contribution to the world of contemporary gospel music, Gaither has written lyrics for more than 700 songs, primarily to music composed by her husband Bill Gaither. Together, these Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum inductees have earned four Grammy Awards, ten Dove Awards, and the ASCAP Songwriters of the Century Award.

Gaither’s songs have become standards in the hymnals of a spectrum of Christian communities, and Gloria’s academic pursuits have allowed her to influence and shape her world beyond the reach of the gospel music audience.

While many people are familiar with her gospel songs, this year’s Round Table entertainment will feature Gaither’s life story as Dr. Laura Pogue, HSU associate professor of English and dean of General Education Studies, interviews Gaither about her distinguished career.

Graduating cum laude with majors in English, French, and sociology from Anderson University, Anderson, Indiana , Gaither went on to earn a master’s degree in literature from Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana. She has also been distinguished with Honorary Doctorates from eight universities.

Gaither has served on the Board of Directors for the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities and has also served as a member of the United Christian College Fund Board of Trustees.

She is a published author with over 40 books that span the topics of family and human interest, women’s issues, and the stories behind the songs, as well as a variety of books for children.

She has also been recognized, both nationally and internationally, as a researcher into the literature of John Steinbeck. She has written for the Steinbeck Quarterly and Steinbeck Studies, and has presented papers on Steinbeck at Ball State University’s Carol Ann Kendrick Memorial Steinbeck Lecture Series, the Taylor University Steinbeck Conference, and the International Steinbeck Conference in Kyoto, Japan.

Gloria and her husband Bill still live in Alexandria, Indiana, where they began their lives together 50 years ago. They have three children and seven grandchildren.

About the Event

While tables for the popular luncheon event have already sold out, plenty of seating is still available in HSU’s Behrens Auditorium, which shares the stage with the Van Ellis Theatre.

Individual tickets, not including lunch, may be purchased at the door of Behrens Auditorium for $10 cash or check. Doors to the auditorium will open at noon, with the show to start at 12:15 p.m.

For those already holding tickets to the sold-out event, doors to Van Ellis Theatre will open to luncheon guests at 11:30 a.m., with lunch to begin at 11:45.

About the Lucile Sandefer Scholarship and Virtue Award

During its centennial year celebration, Round Table members established the annual luncheon event as a fundraiser for the scholarship that is awarded to a female student during the event.   

In addition to the scholarship, The Virtue Award is presented to a woman who has demonstrated support of Hardin-Simmons and reflects the service principles and virtues of the founders of the Round Table organization.

Recipients of the Lucile Sandefer Memorial Round Table Scholarship

2013

Holly Lewis, Colorado City, Texas, biology major with biochemistry minor, set to graduate in 2015 with plans to attend medical school.

2012

Whitney Browning of Seymour, Texas, majored in exercise science and pre-physical therapy. She was also a member of the HSU Honors Program.

2011

Nicole Little,biology major from Weatherford, Texas, served as member of Gamma Beta Phi and coordinator of several informal campus study groups.

Danielle Kizer, pre-med biology major from Fort Worth, Texas, served on the Freshman Activity Team, new student Bible study, and as a volunteer at Hendrick Medical Center.

Recipients of the Round Table Virtue Award

Dr. Rosa Lee Prichard, 2013; Tina Hunter, 2012; Dr. Virginia Connally, 2011

Supporting the Event

The HSU Round Table gratefully appreciates the following luncheon underwriters and sponsors whose names and honorees will be recognized at the event.

Gold Star Underwriter

         Dodge Jones Foundation

          Rosa Lee Prichard

          Jud Powell

          Mr. and Mrs. Paul Draper

Purple Iris Underwriter

          First Financial Bank

          First Baptist Church Foundation

          3KN Family Partnership

          Pollye Lowry

Heritage Sponsor

          Shelton Family Foundation

          Hendrick Health System

          Mr. and Mrs. Mike Hammack

Table Sponsor

          June Dent

          Kaye Spalding and Cindy Wier

          Nancy Jones

          Dr. Dorothy Barnes

          Diane Cole

          Jolene Sollivan

          Mr. and Mrs. Buddy Baldridge

          Dr. and Mrs. Tommy Brisco