Hardin-Simmons, Hail to Thee (Paperback)

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.