Ashley Anderson's Story

I had a friend who went to Hardin-Simmons who encouraged me to apply here. While I was on tour, I could really feel the community here, and I could see myself coming to HSU.

During my freshman year, I went to basically every event that was offered because I wanted to make friends and get involved. I joined a social club and met a lot of really great girls. I also got involved with the Baptist Student Ministries and with ResLife as an RA.

However, I was so busy that I had kind of neglected doing my quiet times. I remember after going to Night of Worship, I felt like I needed to get back into having that daily time with God. Both the BSM and my professors showed me that they cared about me on a spiritual level. One of my professors took prayer requests at the beginning of each class. He always liked to remind us that what we were learning in his class was important, but there was something even more important that came first. I can think of so many times that Hardin-Simmons has encouraged my walk with God.

When I was a freshman, I met some upperclassmen who were constantly pouring into me. They showed me that they really cared about me and wanted to get to know me. Now that I am an upperclassman, I want to do that for others. I want to be involved in everything I can, to give back to the people who have poured into me.

Being a senior, I have been able to reflect on these past four years. Hardin-Simmons has impacted me in ways I never thought were possible. Being able to be involved in so many things here as made me a better person and stretched me to do things which I didn’t know I was capable of doing. I have met people who I will be friends with the rest of my life. Everyone here, from my friends to the faculty and staff, have shaped me into who I am today.

Hardin-Simmons is a place where I have met my lifelong friends, and I will always cherish the memories I have made here.