Alumni Organizations & Awards
Alumni Association
All HSU graduates automatically become members of the Alumni Association. All Association members receive the Range Rider and other Alumni mailings and communications.
This governing body for the Alumni Association meets regularly and assists in structuring alumni-related programming. This working board of 21 members (max) represents a wide variety of demographics. They meet 4-5 times a year. Each member is integral to the Board’s success.
The Alumni Association Board, in partnership with the Office of Alumni Engagement, seeks to communicate with alumni and to provide avenues for alumni to continue and further their relationship with HSU and with others among the 25,000 alumni throughout the world.
Click here to apply to serve on the Alumni Association Board of Directors. Applications are due by October 28, 2024.
The Hardin Simmons Board of Young Associates (BYA) is a select group of alumni who volunteer to help HSU achieve its mission. Members are under the age of 40 and passionate about providing quality education in a Christian environment for all HSU students.
The Board is involved in many areas including but not limited to; assisting in recruitment, fundraising, promoting academic excellence and student leadership, encouraging alumni support and participation, and providing assistance as requested for projects and activities.
Membership is offered to applicants who are three years past their graduation date and under the age of 40. Total number of members does not exceed 75. Membership to the Board is granted upon invitation through the BYA membership committee with the approval of the University and Board of Trustees.
Check back for the Board of Young Associates Application link in February 2025.
The Board of Development is made up of alumni, exes, and friends who desire to support Hardin-Simmons University. The Board members support the University through awarding student scholarships, promoting awareness, sparking interest, and providing financial support for the University. The Vice President for Engagement and Advancement serves as the administrative officer for the Board. The board meetings are held at Homecoming and in the Spring.
For more information email advancement@v-lanterna.com or call 325-670-1260.
Alumni Awards
The Alumni Service Award is the highest alumni honor HSU can bestow. It has been presented since 1943 to former student(s) who has contributed the most in his or her field of endeavor toward the betterment of HSU, or who has rendered the greatest service to the University. Awards are selected by a committee whose members are established by a campus leadership role.
2024 John J. Keeter, Jr. Alumni Service Award
Ms. Dorothy (Houston) Kiser, ’65/’92
Ms. Dorothy (Houston) Kiser earned a Bachelor of Science in religious education from HSU in 1965 and an MBA in 1992. Dorothy began her 30-year career at HSU in 1980. She served as secretary to the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Assistant Registrar, Registrar, and Associate Vice President of Student Records and Registration. She was active in registrar organizations at the local, state, regional, and nation levels, serving as president and many other leadership positions. In 1988, she was named HSU Staff Member of the Year. Since retiring from HSU, Dorothy has stayed connected as member of HSU Fellowship serving as the Vice President for Programs, through serving on the HSU Academic Foundation, and previously serving on the Board of Development and Alumni Association Board of Directors. She is also a loyal attendee to many of HSU’s sporting and campus events. |
This award, given since 1970, is presented to alumni whose personal and professional accomplishments are exemplary of the ideals and aims of the University and thus bring honor to HSU. Awards are selected by a committee whose members are established by a campus leadership role.
2024 Distinguished Alumni Award
Dr. Tracy (Sheehy) Manly ’93 Dr. Tracy (Sheehy) Manly earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from HSU in 1993. Her career in higher education has spanned 25 years. Since January 2023, she has served as Provost and Vice President for Academic Administration at Southwest Baptist University. Immediately prior, she was the Acting Provost / Senior Vice Provost for Academic Initiatives and Albert Rogers Professor of Accounting at the University of Tulsa. Dr. Manly has published more than 25 refereed journal articles and book chapters on topics related to business ethics, accounting instruction, and tax compliance and policy. While at HSU, she was a member of Sigma Alpha social club and served as the president her senior year. She was awarded the Jesse N. Fletcher Award for Outstanding Business Undergraduate in 1993. Tracy was recognized as one of HSU’s Outstanding Young Alumni recipients in 2009. |
Mr. Matthew Morris ’02
Mr. Matthew Morris earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in finance from HSU in 2002. Hired by Gus Bates Insurance & Investments as their 6th employee, Matt helped Gus Bates I & I grow from $900k in revenue to $15m. While serving as president of Gus Bates I & I, Matt navigated their merger with HUB International in 2020. Matt now serves as Area President of HUB International over the Fort Worth Market. In 2019, Matt was recognized by the Fort Worth Business Press as one of the 40 under 40 honorees. As an HSU student, Matthew was a member of Delta Mu Delta business fraternity and played the French horn in the HSU Concert Band. He was recognized as an All-American Offensive Lineman while on the HSU Cowboy football team. Matt has stayed connected to HSU over the years and served on the Board of Young Associates from 2006-2011. |
Dr. Sarah (Jones) Morris ’02
Dr. Sarah (Jones) Morris is the owner of Sarah J. Morris, DDS and Associates in Fort Worth, TX. She holds membership in multiple local, state, and international dental associations and has been voted by peers as one of Fort Worth’s “Top Docs” and “Top Dentists” each year since 2007. Among the top 4% of dentists in the USA, Dr. Morris was selected as a fellow in the International College of Dentistry. In her spare time, Sarah volunteers with multiple organizations, providing free dental care to needy populations. Sarah earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from HSU in 2002. As a student, Sarah was Vice President of Beta Beta Beta’s- Delta Psi Chapter, a member of the Health Care Professions Society, a member of the Cowboy Activities Committee, and played intramural sports. She served on HSU’s Board of Young Associates from 2006 to 2011. |
Recipients of the Outstanding Young Alumni Award have achieved a significant level of distinction within their chosen field or have brought extraordinary benefit to the world. They reflect the quality and caliber of today’s HSU students and alumni. At the time of their selection, recipients have graduated from Hardin-Simmons not more than 20 years prior and are not over the age of 45.
2024 Outstanding Young Alumni Award
Mrs. Sarah (Wesley) Cameron ’12
Sarah Cameron graduated from HSU in 2012 with a BBS in social work. After graduation, she returned home to Arizona and began working at Hands of Hope, a Christian pregnancy center where she assisted women as an advocate for their health and healing. In 2014, Sarah and her husband Alec felt God’s call to become licensed foster care parents. After multiple foster placements, the Lord led a sibling group to Sarah and Alec and they are now a forever family. Sarah works as a foster care trainer at Christian Family Care Agency where she uses her hands-on-experience as a foster parent to teach, equip and support the next generation of foster families. She also works at Sage Creek Ranch Events as an event manager where she creates experiences that make her clients feel seen and heard, making their event as special as it can be. Sarah and Alec have three daughters and one son. The family attends Second Mile Church. |
Dr. Jordan Daniel ’07
Jordan Daniel received a BBS degree in sport, fitness, and leisure studies in 2007 and a M.E. in sport and recreation management in 2008, both from HSU. In 2013 he received a Ph.D. in recreation, parks, and tourism science from Texas A&M University. Jordan is an associate professor in the department of kinesiology at Angelo State University. Initially hired in 2013 as an instructor of kinesiology, he has progressed through the professorial ranks. He has presented at multiple conferences and published or co-published numerous articles in the sports and recreation arena. While at HSU, Jordan played football for the Cowboys, serving as team captain in 2007. He was an ambassador in the leadership program and served as a resident assistant in Anderson Hall. Jordan and his wife Jill have three daughters and are members of Southland Baptist Church in San Angelo. |
Dr. Ben Lovvorn ’04
Ben Lovvorn serves as the Executive Pastor of First Baptist Church Dallas where he leads and oversees all matters related to the church’s ministry, administration, and operation. Lovvorn also leads FBC Dallas’ worldwide broadcast ministry, Pathway to Victory, which airs on over 1,000 radio stations and 11,000 cable and satellite systems and serves as the President of First Dallas Media which owns and operates one of the most listened to Christian radio stations in the country. Ben graduated from HSU in 2004 with a BBA in business management. He earned a juris doctorate from Baylor University Law School in 2007 and completed a Ph.D. in Christian leadership in ministry from Liberty University in December 2023. While at HSU, Ben received the Outstanding Management Student Award and the John Wood Award in Business Ethics. He played football for the Cowboys, winning two ASC Championships, and was named to the NCAA ASC All-Academic Team. Ben and his wife Parris have four sons and one daughter. |
Click through to see the most recent Hall of Fame inductees.