HSU Scholarship Luncheon Connects Students and Donors Through Stories of Faith, Generosity, and Transformation

At Hardin-Simmons University’s annual Scholarship Luncheon, more than 120 students and donors gathered on April 25, 2025, to celebrate the stories and generosity behind every endowed scholarship. Hosted on campus, the event offered a space for students to express gratitude and for donors to see the direct impact of their gifts.

A Grateful Voice

“This school has changed my life.” – Jack Helsley

Jack Helsley, a junior student-athlete history education major from Keller, Texas, addresses the room during the 2025 Scholarship Luncheon.

That was the message from Jack Helsley, a junior student-athlete history education major from Keller, Texas, who addressed the room with a heartfelt reflection on growth, hardship, and grace.

“My first semester here, I was only worried about how well I could read a defense, deliver an accurate pass, and lead a touchdown-scoring drive,” Helsley said. “I didn’t think much of school or the gospel mission. I threw off my shoulder pads after practice, and what I thought was my value and purpose went off with them.”

Over time, and with the support of professors, mentors, and friends, Helsley said his worldview—and his faith—were reshaped.

“With the encouragement, inspiration, and guidance from leaders on this campus, my framework has been challenged and renovated,” he said. “Throwing off my shoulder pads has become the moment when I no longer lose who I am but continue in who I am in Christ.”

He described his time at HSU as a season of “coruscation”—a word he said he learned here, meaning a quick flash or sparkle of light. Quoting C.S. Lewis, Helsley added, “Gratitude exclaims: ‘How good of God to give me this.’ Adoration says: ‘What must be the quality of that being whose far-off and momentary coruscations are like this.’”

To the donors in the room, he said, “Your generous hearts, commitment in giving, your faith and trust in students have made my time at Hardin-Simmons a time of challenge and growth, a coruscation of God’s glory and kindness. This school has changed my life.”

The Heart Behind the Gift

“I wanted to find a way for such a beautiful human being’s memory to live in perpetuity.” – Dr. Angela Nicolini-Starr

Donor and former adjunct HSU biology instructor Dr. Angela Nicolini-Starr shared the deeply personal story behind the Edward M. Wooten III Scholarship.

Donor and former adjunct HSU biology instructor Dr. Angela Nicolini-Starr shared the deeply personal story behind the Edward M. Wooten III Scholarship, which she established in memory of her late husband, an Air Force officer and former HSU business student.

“Ed was born in Lubbock in 1972. He graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1995, served in Operation Desert Fox, and was later awarded the Meritorious Service Medal,” she said. “But his most valiant fight was against a rare liver cancer.”

After his cancer returned in 2000, Ed chose to enroll in business classes at Hardin-Simmons.

“Instead of sitting at home recuperating while I went off to my optometry practice every day, he decided he wanted to take business classes here at Hardin-Simmons University. I know that he was thrilled to be taking a class from Dr. Thomas Kim, the former president of McMurry University, who came here to teach economics. Because of their shared intellect and many other commonalities, they held each other in very high esteem,” she said. “This place mattered to him.”

They married that same year, and eight months later, a month before his 29^th birthday, Ed passed away.

“I cried every day for three years,” she said. “But a year after his death, I was able to get it together enough to ask what it would take to start a scholarship in his name.”

Through that process, she found healing and purpose.

“Mainly, I did it because I wanted to find a way for such a beautiful human being’s memory to live in perpetuity,” she shared. “But I also wanted to honor students who, like Ed, were trying to better themselves and trying to make the world a better place.”

Each year, she meets the students who receive Ed’s scholarship, and she said every time, it reaffirms that she did the right thing.

“Someday, when you have found your careers, or your callings, you will have a chance to set up your own scholarships. Whether it’s in memory of someone you loved, or just because you want to give back,” she said in closing. “Not all of you will start your own scholarship, but if you send just $5 or $10 a year as alumni, it tells the university you care. It tells us you’re thankful.”