Range Rider, Spring 2009 Page: Front Inside
72 p. : ill. ; 28 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Back to the Future
Jesse C. Fletcher
President EmeritusIt's back to the future for Hardin-Simmons University. On March 5, 2009,
the Board of Trustees unanimously elected Dr. Lanny Hall to be the uni-
versity's 15th president. Dr. Hall was HSU's 13th president as well.
The trustees feel this action brings the experience of the past
along with energy and vision for the future to the presidential position.
Dr. Hall succeeded me in 1991 and served for 10 years with dis-
tinction, marked by progress and significant achievement. He stepped
down in 2001 for health reasons and became HSU chancellor when
Craig Turner was named as our 14th president.
But Dr. Hall's health rebounded with time, and six years ago he
assumed Howard Payne's presidency where he had formerly served
as provost. He did a great job at our neighboring institution, but still
had Cowboy purple-and-gold in his system. When Dr. Turner went to
Catawba in North Carolina, the trustee's attention, after a thorough
nation-wide search, focused on Dr. Hall.
Our new president, who was welcomed with a standing ovation
when introduced to the faculty and staff, will assume his role as HSU's
15th president around June 1, 2009. In the meanwhile, the interim team
will finish out what has been, in light of current economic conditions,
a surprisingly good year.
Much credit goes to the operational team of Harold Preston
'69/'72, senior vice president for finance and operations officer, and
Bill Ellis '75, university provost, with the help of Mike Whitehorn,
senior vice president for student development, Shane Davidson, vice
president for enrollment management, and Leland Harden '84, vice
president for institutional advancement. My assignment in the "show
and tell" position has been easy and rewarding because of their efforts,
backing, and inspiration.
A dedicated group of trustees led by Chairman Hilton Hemphill
'63 and a representative search committee worked hard, responsibly,
and wisely for 11 months to bring us to this exciting, new stage in the
university's 118th year.
The year of interim has really been business as usual at HSU with
a strong financial position despite the national recession, an achiev-
ing and pioneering faculty effort, and student successes galore in the
classroom, academic competition, community, and on the athletic
fields. Examples of that parallel stories that celebrate the lives and
roles of HSU alumni around the world.
So it's time to give thanks to the Father-God who guided those who
began our pilgrimage and who continues to lead and enable us. It's
time to ask him to again bless this storied Forty Acres and especially
Dr. Lanny Hall and his first lady, Carol (Bardin) Hall, as they return to
the campus where they both began as students in 1967.
For them, and for us, it's back to t future.
Jesse C. Fletcher
President Emeritus
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Hardin-Simmons University. Range Rider, Spring 2009, periodical, 2009; Abilene, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth284709/m1/2/: accessed April 30, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Hardin-Simmons University Library.