Jesper Jiang's Story

The first time I visited the HSU campus and met science faculty members, I could tell they really care about students and want us to succeed.

After meeting with one of the Biology professors, Dr. Wicks, she looked at me and said, “I know you’ll come here.” It was a full year before I was back on campus for the beginning of my freshman year. When I saw Dr. Wicks and the Dean, Dr. McNair, incredibly, they both remembered my name. Dr. Wicks even joked, saying, “See, I told you that you would come here.”

While I first thought that maybe Dr. McNair and Dr. Wicks were interested in me because I’m a science major, I soon realized that professors in other fields care just as much about students, whether or not a student’s major is in the field they teach. Whenever I don’t understand something, my professors are willing to help. I have never felt intimidated about asking questions, and they have never hesitated to help me.

Just because professors really care about students, don’t think that the academics are easy. While we get individual attention here, that we wouldn’t get at a large school, our professors know our capabilities and push us more to excel. My professors challenge me to grow academically every day, to go beyond my comfort zone.

At Hardin-Simmons, our classes are taught by professors with doctorate degrees, not graduate students.

My Chemistry professor, Dr. Chambers, brings real-life experiences into the classroom from his time working as a chemist for one of the world’s largest companies. His insight helps us better understand real-life applications of what we study, which puts us at a level above other students.

What is especially rare is that academics and faith intertwine harmoniously at Hardin-Simmons. We see examples of the Christian faith being lived out every day on campus. Our weekly chapel is an amazing time when students, faculty, and staff come together as one. My spiritual life may not always be as strong as it should, but the times of worship we share encourage and strengthen me.

I can’t imagine being anywhere other than Hardin-Simmons.