Joe Black and Harold Preston to Receive Honorary Doctorates

(Abilene, Texas) On Saturday, Hardin-Simmons University will award Joe Black and Harold Preston honorary doctorate degrees for exceptional work both in their professional fields and in their communities.

Annually, Hardin-Simmons bestows honorary doctorates on select men and women who are nominated by alumni, faculty, and other staff. These individuals must display both exemplary contributions to their professional fields as well as serve as a respected Christian witness. Both Black and Preston have exceeded these requirements and are highly deserving of the highest recognition Hardin-Simmons offers.

Joe Black has had a distinguished golfing career that spans four decades. Beginning in Lamesa High School, Black continued golfing during his years at Hardin-Simmons University where he played on the 1953 NAIA National Championship Team. After HSU, he played three years on the PGA Tour. In 1958, he became a Tournament Supervisor on the PGA Tour Staff. In his years on the tour, Black built his reputation as a Rules of Golf expert. He also served 48 years on the Masters Tournament Rules Committee where he spent much of his time handling the rules and scoring at the 18th green. 

In 1965, Black became Director of Golf at Brookhaven Country Club in Dallas, TX as well as Vice President of Golf for Club Corporation of America.  Black soon became involved in the politics of the PGA of America and was elected Treasurer of the Northern Texas PGA (1969-70) and then President (1971-72). He became the National Treasurer in 1977, and President of the PGA of America in 1981.

Black is also a member of the Texas Golf Hall of Fame, Hardin-Simmons University Sports Hall of Fame, and the PGA of America Hall of Fame. In 2005, Black was selected to receive one of Hardin-Simmons University’s most prestigious awards, and was inducted into the Hall of Leaders. 

Harold Preston began his journey at Hardin-Simmons University by earning his Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting (1969) and later his Master of Business Administration (1972). Throughout his career at HSU, Preston held many responsibilities from working in the business office, human resources, budgeting, and facility operations to the oversight of the Six White Horses program. 

Preston served as Vice President of Financial Affairs for Howard Payne University from 1974 to 1991. In 1991, he returned to his alma mater to become Senior Vice President of Financial Affairs. Preston served HSU with distinction from 1991 to 2014. In 2007, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools awarded him the James T. Rogers Meritorious Service Award for his excellent contributions to his field, HSU, and higher education in general.  Even after retiring from his position at Hardin-Simmons, Preston has remained active as a Financial Reader for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, a role in which he has served since 1991.