Get ready, our annual Mabee Madness Basketball Pep Rally is here!🏀
Join us on Monday, October 26, at 6:30 p.m. in Mabee Gym to kick off basketball season with our Cowgirls and Cowboys.
HSU Alumni, we’ve got a challenge for you! 🤠💜
What if you could help a future Cowboy find their place at HSU AND help them receive a $5,000 scholarship?
Homecoming is a reminder of what makes HSU special. Now, it’s your turn to help the next generation experience it for themselves.
Watch to see how you can make it happen!
youtu.be/IcmE7VTmqaw?si=jeJ5…
What if this is where your story begins?
Texas Free College Application Week is here, but at HSU, applying is always FREE! 🎉🤠
Take the next step toward a college experience filled with purpose, community, and opportunities to become the person you’re called to be.
Start your HSU application today here: hsutx.edu/admissions/apply-t…
Last week, Hardin-Simmons University welcomed Dr. Daniel Oney for the annual Ray Lewis Lecture. Presented by HSU’s Kelley College of Business and Professional Studies, the annual lecture brings business leaders, economists, and community members together to discuss issues shaping Texas and the nation.
Dr. Oney presented “Markets, Megawatts, and Manufacturing,” examining the economic and technological trends shaping the future of Texas, including artificial intelligence, energy, data centers, manufacturing, and growth across West Texas.
Thank you to Dr. Oney for sharing his expertise with the HSU and Abilene community.
Read the full recap here: hsutx.edu/about-hsu/news/har…
Hardin-Simmons University has been recognized among the nation’s leading institutions in the 2027 Best Colleges rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, earning high marks in multiple categories and qualifying for two U.S. News ranking badges.
Among its strongest showings, HSU was ranked:
#38 in Regional Universities West
#16 in Top Private Schools
#29 in Best Value Schools
#25 in Best Colleges for Veterans
“We are honored to be recognized by U.S. News & World Report for the value and quality of the education students receive at Hardin-Simmons University. These rankings reflect the dedication of our faculty and staff, the achievements of our students, and our commitment to providing a Christ-centered education that prepares graduates to lead and serve in their professions and communities.” - President Bruntmyer
Read more here: hsutx.edu/about-hsu/news/har…
Four U.S. Open appearances. A doubles title. And now, he’s a Cowboy.
Before calling Hardin-Simmons home, freshman Keegan Ratliff had already built an impressive journey in para-standing tennis, competing among some of the top players in the world.
Keegan captured the doubles title and finished runner-up in singles in his division last year before returning to the U.S. Open for the fourth time this year.
Now, he’s bringing that same drive to Hardin-Simmons. Whether pursuing his degree, playing tennis as a Cowboy, or helping bring greater visibility to the sport, Keegan continues to carry the perseverance and passion that have shaped his journey.
Read more here: hsutx.edu/about-hsu/news/fre…
The Cornerstone Series began today, inviting the Hardin-Simmons University community to pause, reflect and consider what it means to live out God’s calling.
Today’s message was shared by Hannah Lankford, Capitol Hill and Community Group Minister at Waterfront Church, who challenged us with the question: “What is the calling of God for your life?”
As we reflected on that question, we were reminded of three ways we are called to live as followers of Christ:
Share His love.
Be made new.
Be His ambassador.
God calls each of us to a life of purpose, transformation and service. May we continue to seek His direction and faithfully live out His calling in our lives and in the communities around us.
The Cornerstone Series continues this week on Wednesday and Thursday. We invite you to join us as we continue to gather, grow in faith and center our hearts on Christ.
Hardin-Simmons University is pleased to welcome Jason Tolbert as its new Vice President for Finance, bringing more than two decades of experience in financial leadership, stewardship, and Christian higher education to the university.
Tolbert joins HSU after serving for the past 11 years as Vice President for Finance at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. Prior to that, he spent 11 years managing endowments for Arkansas Baptists, helping institutions steward resources to advance their missions.
A native of Arkansas, Tolbert is eager to return to West Texas, a region he fondly remembers from his childhood.
“I loved West Texas then, and I can’t wait to be back in Cowboy country,” Tolbert said. “My family and I are grateful for the warm welcome we have already received, and we can’t wait to call Abilene home.”
Read more here: hsutx.edu/about-hsu/news/har…
On this day of remembrance, we honor the lives lost on September 11, and remember the courage and sacrifice of so many. May Christ’s presence continue to bring healing, comfort, and hope to all.
There’s a lot to celebrate as a new academic year gets underway at Hardin-Simmons University! 💜
From growth in undergraduate enrollment to record-setting campus housing, this fall’s numbers reflect exciting momentum across HSU.
📈 Undergraduate enrollment increased to 1,264 students, up 1% from last year
🏠 982 students are living on campus, a 9% increase and the highest residence hall occupancy in HSU history
🎓 Student retention climbed to 69.13%, continuing a positive three-year trend
🩺 Nursing enrollment grew from 111 to 150 students, including 58 new Nursing students this fall
📚 Health Professions continues to grow and now represents approximately 40% of HSU students
⭐ This year’s incoming class brings strong academic achievement, with higher average SAT scores and more first-time freshmen ranking in the top 10% of their graduating classes
📍 More first-time freshmen from the Big Country chose HSU this fall
💜 Approximately $27 million in scholarships were awarded to undergraduate students
Each number represents a student choosing HSU, finding their place, and taking the next step toward their future.
Thank you to our faculty and staff who make that experience possible every day.
#WEARECOWBOYS
The Future Is Now: Technology & Energy Summit is underway!
Join the conversation through our free livestream: hsutx.edu/live
Thank you to our sponsors, Google and Atmos Energy, to our community partner, The Abilene Chamber of Commerce, and to our media partners, KTAB News and KRBC News, for helping to make The Future Is Now possible.
Football is back, and you know what that means… TAILGATE TIME! 🏈🤠
We’re kicking off the season with our first tailgate! Come hang out, show your Cowboy spirit, and get ready for game day with the HSU community.
11:00 a.m. | Saturday, Sept. 5 | Don Bridges Courtyard
FREE Bahama Buck's snow cones!
Performances by: HSU Cheer, HSU Spurs, and the World Famous Cowboy Band
HSU vs. Chapman | 12:00 p.m. | Shelton Stadium
Save the date!
Serve Like Simmons is happening on Thursday, September 10, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. at various locations across Abilene!
Faculty, staff, alumni, and students are invited to come together for an afternoon of service and give back to the Abilene community.
Free lunch will be provided to all participants, and the first 75 people to check in will receive a free t-shirt.
Sign up here: bit.ly/46sEP12
A powerful charge to our students from HSU alumnus Phil Wilson '90 at today’s Convocation.
As another academic year begins, a reminder to think beyond the degree, the title, and the accomplishments still to come, and consider something even bigger.
“Not what you want to be, but who you want to be.”
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The Fall 2026 Fletcher Lecture Series is just around the corner, and we can't wait to welcome this semester's outstanding lineup of speakers to Hardin-Simmons University.
From healthcare and finance to manufacturing, homebuilding, and energy, each lecture offers the opportunity to hear from accomplished leaders who are making an impact in their industries.
View the full lineup and RSVP for upcoming lectures: hsutx.edu/fls
The newest edition of the Range Rider is ready!
Take a look behind the scenes as this issue comes to life. From the first spread on the whiteboard to the finished magazine.
📬 Arriving in mailboxes this week. Keep an eye out for yours or check out the link for a digital version.
hsutx.edu/about-hsu/leadersh…
Because of your generosity, Nina Tarasovets '26 had the opportunity to experience all that Hardin-Simmons has to offer.
Scholarship support opens the door to an HSU education, lifelong friendships, meaningful opportunities, and a Christ-centered community that continues to shape students long after graduation.
Thank you for investing in the next generation of Cowboys.
There's still time to help another student begin their HSU story.
connectnow.hsutx.edu/portal/…
Hardin-Simmons University’s Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program has received full accreditation from the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA)!
This milestone reflects the excellence of our program, faculty, and students and marks an exciting achievement for HSU’s commitment to preparing the next generation of speech-language pathologists.
