HSU Honors Faculty and Staff

(Abilene, Texas) Members of Hardin-Simmons University’s faculty and staff were recently honored at the annual “Stars of the Purple and Gold” Faculty and Staff Appreciation Lunch held May 6.

The event is sponsored and hosted by the HSU Alumni Association. Mrs. Britt (Yates) Jones, Assistant VP for Advancement and Director of Alumni Relations, and Mrs. Nancy McNair Jones, Alumni Association past president, were the hosts of the event. Alumni and friends of HSU paid for the lunch, service pins, retirement gifts, and nearly all related expenses.

HSU’s President Dr. Lanny Hall thanked current faculty and staff for their service and offered words of encouragement from a recent graduate who said that HSU was a perfect fit for her because of its caring atmosphere.

“Everyone you encounter takes time out of their day to help you, from the sweet ladies in the cafeteria to your professors, to your advisers. They helped me make major life decisions as well as calm my anxiety about minor decisions,” the HSU graduate said.

Hall said HSU’s founders declared that the school would bring students to Christ and teach them for Christ.

“For 125 years now, students have made their way here from all directions – north, south east, and west – to pursue God’s direction for their lives,” Hall said. “They have come to find their way toward fulfilling their goals.”

The Staff and Faculty members of the Year were nominated by HSU staff. The criteria selection includes loyalty and service to HSU, competence and dedication to responsibilities, high Christian ideals, friendliness and willingness to work productively with everyone, and good rapport with HSU constituents.

Dr. Larry McGraw, the 2015 Faculty Member of the Year winner, presented the 2016 award to Dr. Dennis O’Connell, Professor of Physical Therapy in the Holland School of Sciences and Mathematics.  O’Connell was described by his peers as a model HSU faculty member who promotes student development, has a passion for teaching, and is an advocate for professional development. 

Mrs. Cheryl Davis, the 2015 Staff Member of the Year, presented the 2016 award to Mrs. Becky Sergeant, Administrative System Support Specialist in Technology Services. Sergeant was selected by fellow staff members for her servant heart, calming presence and presence as a prayer warrior. She was described as being as a dedicated, trustworthy and diligent staff member who goes above and beyond for any staff, faculty or student.

The former staff and faculty members of the year were announced by HSU Fellowship’s Mr. David Stovall. Mrs. Collene Simmons received the Former Faculty Member of the Year honor and Mrs. Clara Stovall received the Former Staff Member of the Year honor.

Other HSU employees receiving awards were:

Five years of service:
Mr. Nathan Bachert ’13 | Webmaster

Mr. Bart Craig ’91 | Head Golf Coach

Dr. Emily Dean | Assoc. Prof., Ed Studies/Dir. of Houston-Lantrip Ctr.
Mrs. Serina Fairchilds | Admin. Asst., Dean, Kelley College of Business
Mrs. Andrea Foster | Admin. Asst. to Athletics

Mrs. Kacey Higgins | Registrar

Mrs. Carrie Isaacson | Asst. Prof., Art

Mrs. Sharyn Lilly ’91 | Gifts Coord.

Dr. Jeremy Rhodes | Asst. Prof., Sociology

Mr. Mickey Sartor | Maint. Tech., Plumber

Mrs. Bobbie Turner | Campus Guest Coord.

Dr. Janet Viola | Assoc. Prof., Nursing

Mr. Jeff Whitehead ’01 | QB Coach/Offensive Coord.

Dr. Bryan Yorton | Dept. Head, Assoc. Prof.; Philosophy

Ten years of service:
Mrs. Kimberly Beal | Records/Publications Coord.
Mr. Jesse Burleson ’00 | Head Football Coach
Mrs. Kimberly Cooper ’11 | Asst. Prof., Nursing
Dr. Jeffrey Cottrell | Assoc. Prof., Low Brass
Dr. Kristin Isaacson | Asst. Prof., Cello/String Bass
Dr. Andrea Jensen | Dept. Head, Asst. Prof.; Biology
Mr. Mike Jones | Dept. Head, Prof.; Art

Dr. Jeffrey Key | Dept. Head, Prof.; Political Science
Dr. Doug McIntyre | Assoc. Prof., Business Admin.
Mr. Stephen McNally | Detective
Mrs. Valerie Miller ’11 | Asst. Prof., Nursing

Dr. Kelly Pigott | Chaplain/Assoc. Prof., Church History

Dr. Charles Ruot | Prof., Fitness/Sport Sci.

Mr. Chuck Sartor | Director of Facility Services

Mrs. Tina Sartor | Asst. to Assoc. Dean, Logsdon Seminary

Mrs. Ellen Simmons | Prof., Periodicals & Documents Librarian
Mrs. Jenn Waldmann | Director of Annual Giving

Fifteen years of service:

Dr. Kent Chambers ’99 | Assoc. Prof., Chem./Envir. Mgmt.
Dr. Tim Chandler | Prof., Communications

Dr. Tiffany Fink | Prof., History

Dr. Robert Friberg ’05 | Prof., Physical Therapy
Dr. James Heflin | Prof., Preaching/Pastoral Ministry

Dr. Peter Isaacson | Assoc. Prof., Violin/Orchestra Director
Dr. Nancy Kucinski ’83 | Dean of Grad. Studies; Mgmt. Prof.
Mrs. Nancy Morrison | Asst., Director of Institutional Research
Mrs. Melinda Murphy | Loan Collections; Asst. Cashier

Mrs. Shaylee Piland ’99/’03 | Assoc. Prof., Accounting

Dr. Clell Wright | Prof., Church Music 

Twenty years of service:
Mrs. Gracie Carroll | Asst. VP, Academic Advising & Retention
Dr. Mary Lou Garrett ’00/’08 | Asst. Prof., Physical Therapy
Mrs. DeLys Mitchell ’02 | Admin. Asst. to Provost
Dr. Robert Moore | Prof., Fitness/Sport Sci.

Mr. Travis Seekins ’96/’03 | Assoc. VP, Tech. Services
Twenty-five years of service:
Ms. Debbie Jones | Program Director of White Horse

Thirty years of service:

Dr. Mark Puckett | Prof., Piano/Artist in Residence

Mr. David Stuckey | Dept. Head, Assoc. Prof.; Fit & Sport Sci.

Thirty-five years of service:

Ms. Linda Fawcett | Prof., Art

Forty years of service:

Dr. Randy Armstrong ’66x | Assoc. Dean, Cynthia Ann Parker College of Liberal Arts

Forty-five years of service:
Dr. Joe Alcorta ’64 | Prof. of Spanish