Graduate Spotlight: Karson Gopffarth

This December, legacy student Karson Gopffarth will walk the stage to receive his bachelor’s degree after several years of pouring his love and creativity into Hardin-Simmons University. Independent of his rich family history at HSU (including his siblings, of which he is the last to graduate), Gopffarth has made a name for himself as a caring student leader on campus.

“My favorite part about HSU was initially the friendships I made,” he shared. “I’m still beyond grateful for those, but I have also loved to see the legacies that my grandmother, parents, and in-laws have left here.”

Gopffarth will attend HSU’s competitive Physician’s Assistant school in the summer.

With a major in biology and a minor in honors, Gopffarth shared that his course of studies in these two diverse communities has exposed him to intelligent faculty and peers that have challenged him in numerous ways. He will continue studying with several of his peers when he attends HSU’s competitive Physician’s Assistant Program in the summer of 2023.

“I became interested in becoming a PA my senior year of high school after learning about how flexible the profession is within its specialties,” shared Gopffarth. “I have always been interested in biology, and learning more about the human body, so that I can be a better health care provider in the future, continues to be my motivation.” 

Throughout his time at HSU, Gopffarth has achieved much as an active leader on campus, displayed through HSU’s selection of him as the 2022 University Homecoming King and 2021-2022 Cowboy of the Year. 

Karson Gopffarth with the Julius Olsen Honors Council.

Gopffarth has served in leadership positions within the Student Activity Board (SABERS) and the Julius Olsen Honors Council and has participated as a member of the Pre-Health Club, the hiking club (Hunters, Gatherers, and Travelers, or “HGT”), and the International Student Fellowship (ISF). 

“Other than the source of a lot of free meals, the clubs I have been involved with have been the reason I’ve gotten to experience the most HSU has to offer,” joked Gopffarth. “From being able to create elaborate events with SABERs and going wild places with HGT (and everything in between with other clubs), they have helped create new friendships and deepen old ones. They’ve also allowed me to see and hear so many individuals’ stories that make up HSU’s student body.” 

Megan McKinney and Karson Gopffarth posing with his 2021-2022 Cowboy of the Year Award.

In his free time, Gopffarth loves to swim, paint, sing, watch movies with friends, or cook. Furthermore, he loves to collect plants and has around 40 plants in his apartment. Above all, Gopffarth brags on his incredible friends for being supportive. Karson would like to thank Jack Lowry, Megan McKinney, and Josh Hazen specifically for being great leaders and friends to him. 

Despite his freshman year at HSU being cut short because of COVID, Gopffarth has learned to roll with the punches and make the most out of challenging situations with the help of his friends.  

“My favorite memory at HSU was SNOVID in 2021. Being able to be with friends and come up with dumb ways to have fun while the world outside was in chaos was a blast. We had movie nights, cooked meals together, stood on a frozen pond, and even had a surprise engagement happen,” Gopffarth shared. “I’ve been given a precious group of friends and they’ve made my memories at HSU unforgettable.” 

Karson with his painting in Moody Student Lounge.

Congratulations, Karson! Thank you for the time and creativity you have dedicated to making Hardin-Simmons a welcoming environment for so many. HSU is YOUR school, and we’re happy to have your name added to the Alumni Wall.