Christy Wilson Beam to Headline Scholarship Fundraiser at Hardin-Simmons University

Abilene, Texas _  HSU Alumna Christy Wilson Beam (’95), will headline the Hardin-Simmons University Round Table Scholarship Luncheon on March 3, 2016. Beam’s memoir, “Miracles From Heaven,” has been made into an upcoming movie to be released March 16^th starring Jennifer Garner, Queen Latifah, and Martin Henderson. 

Also speaking at the event will be DeVon Franklin, producer of “Miracles from Heaven.” Franklin is president and CEO of Franklin Entertainment. He is also author of “Produced by Faith” and a popular motivational speaker and preacher. 

Beam was born and raised in Abilene. She graduated from Hardin-Simmons with a Bachelor of Behavioral Science in Education and a specialization in Reading. She now resides near Burleson, Texas, with her husband Dr. Kevin Beam (B.S. ’94 and HSU Athletics Hall of Fame honored quarterback), and their three daughters, Abby, Annabel, and Adelynn. Beam’s memoir was published in 2015 by Hachette Books.

Beam says she and her family witnessed a miracle through their daughter Annabel. It is because of God’s unending mercies and faithfulness that Beam felt the story of this miracle must be told. “Miracles from Heaven” describes in detail the events surrounding a young girl’s medical trials, a mother’s heartache, a family’s devastation, and a miraculous healing that occurred through the most unusual circumstances. Her memoir is described as a testament to faith and family, and a balm for any soul longing to know the powerful reality of God’s love.

Susan Keeling, chair of the 2016 Round Table luncheon, said the organization chose Beam as speaker because of her family’s miraculous story and because it wanted to honor an alumni during HSU’s 125^th anniversary year. 

Franklin, the movie’s producer through his company Franklin Entertainment, was named as one of the top 100 influential African-Americans in America by Ebony Magazine and as one of the Most Influential Christians Under 40 by BeliefNet. He served as SVP of Columbia TriStar Pictures for a decade during which time he championed box office successes including “The Pursuit of Happyness,” “The Karate Kid,” “Jumping the Broom,” and “Heaven Is For Real.” He began his career as an intern for Will Smith and James Lassiter at Overbrook Entertainment. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a minor in Cinema-Television from the University of Southern California. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Meagan.

About the Event
While tables for the popular luncheon event have already sold out, those interested in attending may inquire about a waiting list by contacting Andrea Cross at across@hsutx.edu.

For those already holding tickets to the sold-out event, doors to the Van Ellis Theater will open to luncheon guests at 11:30 a.m., with lunch to begin at 11:45. The program will begin at noon. 

https://www.hsutx.edu/hsuroundtable

About the Lucile Sandefer Scholarship and Virtue Award

During its centennial year celebration, Round Table members established the annual luncheon event as a fundraiser for the scholarship that is awarded to a female student during the event.   

In addition to the scholarship, The Virtue Award is presented to a woman who has demonstrated support of Hardin-Simmons and reflects the service principles and virtues of the founders of the Round Table organization.  

Recipients of the Lucile Sandefer Memorial Round Table Scholarship

2015
Saleena Ramzanali, Hawley, Texas, a pre-med major who maintained a 4.0 grade point average while being active in many campus organizations.  

2014
Andrea Beard, Dallas, Texas, a public relations and advertising major with a minor in Leadership Studies. She was also a member of the Gamma Beta Phi honors service fraternity. 

2013

Holly Lewis, Colorado City, Texas, biology major with biochemistry minor, set to graduate in 2015 with plans to attend medical school.

2012

Whitney Browning of Seymour, Texas, majored in exercise science and pre-physical therapy. She was also a member of the HSU Honors Program.

2011

Nicole Little, biology major from Weatherford, Texas, served as member of Gamma Beta Phi and coordinator of several informal campus study groups.

Danielle Kizer, pre-med biology major from Fort Worth, Texas, served on the Freshman Activity Team, new student Bible study, and as a volunteer at Hendrick Medical Center

Recipients of the Round Table Virtue Award

Bea Shackleford, 2015; Martha Lacewell, 2014; Dr. Rosa Lee Prichard, 2013; Tina Hunter, 2012; Dr. Virginia Connally, 2011

Supporting the Event

The HSU Round Table gratefully appreciates the following luncheon underwriters and sponsors whose names and honorees will be recognized at the event.

Gold Star Underwriter

Dodge Jones Foundation

Dr. Rosa Lee Prichard

Dr. Jud Powell

Dian Graves Owen Foundation

Purple Iris Underwriter

First Financial Bank

First Baptist Church Foundation

Jolene Sollivan

Heritage Sponsor

Shelton Family Foundation

Mike and Marsha Hammack

Hendrick Medical Center   

Table Sponsor

Diane Cole

Bill and June Dent

Dr. Lanny and Carol Hall

Susan Keeling

Tiffany Hammer

Dr. Dorothy Barnes  

Nancy Jones

Kaye Schwertner

Dr. Brett and Jill Teague

Becky Rentz

Tina Hunter

Tommy and Judy Brisco

Abilene Regional Medical Center

Hardin-Simmons University

Round Table Scholarship Luncheon

Thursday, March 3, 2016

11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Van Ellis Theatre, 2410 Cedar Street, HSU campus  

https://www.hsutx.edu/hsuroundtable