Outstanding Young Alumni Awards, 2022

On March 4, 2022, Hardin-Simmons University celebrated three distinct alumnae who were awarded the Outstanding Young Alumni Award. Dr. Kassia Krone ’09/’11, Ms. Molly Moser ’10, and Mrs. Robbyn Reid ’09/’11 returned to campus with friends and family to celebrate the honor.

Recipients of the Outstanding Young Alumni Award have achieved a significant level of distinction within their chosen field or have brought extraordinary benefit to the world. They reflect the quality and caliber of today’s HSU students and alumni. At the time of their selection, recipients have graduated from Hardin-Simmons not more than 20 years prior and are not over the age of 45.

Dr. Kassia (Jackson) Krone received her B.A. in English education in 2009 and her M.A. in English in 2011 from Hardin-Simmons University. She received her Ph.D. in English from Texas Christian University in 2016.

Kassia is a force of nature. She is a goal setter and always reaches her goals while setting the standard for others to follow. Since leaving HSU, Kassia has been awarded the W.A. Young Distinguished Teacher Award from Friends University, where she currently works, and the Distinguished Teaching Award from TCU.

Kassia is currently an Assistant Professor of Composition at Friends University, where she also serves as General Education chair and co-chair of Friends’ Diversity Council. She is the current sponsor of Friends University’s chapter of Sigma Tau Delta and English Club. She also created the Summer Book Club program for alumni and current students. She teaches a wide range of English courses in addition to general education classes at Friends University.

Kassia is also the High Plains Regent of Sigma Tau Delta, an international English Honor Society and serves on the leadership board of The Carson McCullers Society. She is the co-author of Yours in Filial Regard: The Civil War Letters of a Texas Family and the author of her forthcoming book, Hollywood’s Monstrous Moms: Depictions of Disability and Motherhood. Her work is also featured in Mississippi Quarterly.

Kassia’s research interests include Southern Studies, Women and Gender Studies, Disability Studies, and Film.  When not researching or teaching, Kassia enjoys writing mystery novels. She is also a huge movie buff and an avid board gamer.

While at HSU, Kassia was an active member of Simmons Classic Ensemble, New Song Praise Band, Sigma Alpha, and the Graduate Student Council.

Kassia and her husband Aaron reside in Wichita, KS, and are pregnant with their first child.

Molly Moser graduated from Hardin-Simmons in 2010 with a Bachelor of Behavioral Science degree in communication. Since then, she has been committed to the local community of Abilene through her work and by serving on multiple boards.

Currently, Molly serves as the manager of the Abilene Convention Center, where she oversees and coordinates the comprehensive administrative and operational activities of the Abilene Convention Center to ensure customer satisfaction for lessees, clients, and patrons at the facility.  Prior to this role, Molly served at the convention center as the events coordinator and worked at the Grace Museum as the event and volunteer coordinator.

She was awarded the Hero of Tourism designation by The Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau in 2014, 2015, and 2019.  Molly is the Board Chair of the Day Nursery of Abilene Board of Directors, a Loaned Executive for the United Way of Abilene, and a designated member of the Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of Directors. This February, she was awarded the Employee Campaign Coordinator of the Year by the United Way of Abilene.

Molly’s passion is people. She works hard for others and has a constant drive for excellence. It is no surprise we find her at the heart of Abilene, managing the convention center. Molly is able to positively impact the entire Big Country due to her job. Through the convention center, she brings various opportunities to town, exposing audiences to new experiences in the arts, community engagement, health, and more.

Molly has the ability to bring people together to collaborate, to build friendships, and to bring out the best in others. Not only does she celebrate others, but she also creates the space for others to join in celebration. She believes in growing appreciation and awareness for others.

Molly’s love for people and community comes from her faith. She is steadfast in her love for people because of her love for faith.

While a student at HSU, Molly was active in Sigma Alpha and the New Student Orientation (NSO) steering committee. When a student, like now, she devoted her time and energy to others.

Molly raises people up through support, advocacy, and friendship. Her love has no bounds. Whether she is hosting a birthday party for her dog, Jett, or walking to end Alzheimer’s, Molly pours her whole heart into this community.

Robbyn (Tribbey) Reid attended Hardin-Simmons University where she received her Bachelor’s of Business Administration in December 2009 and her Masters of Business Administration in May 2011.

Before earning her graduate degree in 2011, Robbyn was employed by Double Eagle Development in Fort Worth, which began her career in oil and gas accounting and finance. Robbyn worked in the oil and gas industry until starting her own business in 2017.

In 2017, Robbyn decided it was time to pursue her lifelong goal of owning her own business. Robbyn’s dad, Robert, had always dreamed of building a senior apartment complex. At a young age, Robbyn also developed a passion for his idea. In fact, before graduating with her MBA, Robbyn’s final paper was titled “Influencing Factors for Consideration of Relocating to a Senior Living Facility.”

Partnered up with her husband, Blake, and her parents, Robert and Lynette, the foursome developed, built, managed, and maintained an 81-unit senior apartment complex in Granbury, TX called The Residence at Legacy Park. The development started on a 10-acre coastal field in the summer of 2017.   From engineers to architects to utilities and subcontractors, Robbyn and her family built the entire 85,000sq foot development from the ground up. The last phase was completed in April of 2021.  Robbyn served as the property manager as well as the accountant, marketer, event coordinator, and more once the complex was in operation. The Residence at Legacy Park was 100% occupied with a waiting list.  In January 2021, Robbyn and her family felt God calling them back to the Big Country. The Residence at Legacy Park went on the market and sold in May 2021.

Robbyn is also a builder and a licensed real estate agent. During the time she was building The Residence at Legacy Park, she also built and sold spec and custom homes and a few flip projects. She also assisted in the sale of several other large commercial properties and large farm and ranch transactions.

Robbyn and her husband, Blake, now reside in Tuscola, TX with their two daughters. Ava turned four in September. She attends Beltway CDC for pre-school and is involved in dance at Key City Dance Company and is a Jim Ned Indian flag football cheerleader. Audrey turned one in July and is her sister’s biggest cheerleader.

Robbyn and her family are now embarking on a few new projects including commercial development, a lodging development, and buying dirt (investing in land).

Robbyn is a builder. A builder of communities and a builder of relationships. She has a strong work ethic and excels in everything she sets her mind to. Robbyn is a lifelong learner, always pursuing to understand more than just knowing.

http://https://youtu.be/XLde1A_EXaQ