Hardin-Simmons, Hail to Thee

A member of the Class of 1955, Lawrence Webb offers a salute to his alma mater, Hardin-Simmons University. He recalls lessons he learned both in the classroom and in campus life. - From President Rupert Richardson's Bee Speech, he learned to look to God in nature. - In his first class, the professor urged students to learn to respect people with different opinions and say, "You may be right." - He learned from George Hine, the sports publicity director, that he was probably too pious for his own good. - In a class, Dr. Hoyt Ford taught him that he didn't need to have all the answers in every situation. - He found lifelong friendship with classmates John Campbell and Jerry Reynolds who returned as professors. - From Euell Porter, he learned to sing and love rich choral music. - Dean W. Truett Walton was a mentor on campus and for decades after the author graduated. - He learned to appreciate English literature from W. D. Bond, who also tried to teach him bait-casting. - Back in Abilene from his first year in seminary, he had his first experience performing weddings, at the invitation of fellow HSUers Maxine Reid and Fred Blalock. - In the literal meaning of alma mater (fostering parent), he felt many professors and staffers filled that role. - Working in the kitchen of "The Beanery," he learned lessons in work and life from Jeff Lott, the janitor. - His freshman English professor, Dr. Robert Burrows, encouraged him in his writing interests which he combined throughout his career along with being a minister and teacher. In 2011, 60 years later, he visited with Dr. Burrows and his wife in Wisconsin.