Scholarships Change Lives!
Because you give, every scholarship recipient has a personal story to tell. Whether a first-generation college student, a mentee of a dedicated faculty or staff member, or a championship Cowboy or Cowgirl, their stories illustrate HSU’s commitment to preparing students for personal and professional success. Here are a few.
Tim Baek
Senior – Music – China
Tell us about your journey to HSU.
My high school jazz band director’s best friend attended Hardin Simmons and played in the World-Famous Cowboy Band. I was interested in the Cowboy Band, researched them, and decided to apply.
Finances are a concern for a lot of students and families. Tell us about the impact the scholarship has had on you.
Receiving scholarships allows me to focus more on my studies, including practicing music, without worrying as much about finances. While I work to pay for things not covered by scholarships, the fact that scholarships help cover tuition helps a lot.
What HSU organizations have you been involved with?
I play for HSU’s jazz band, concert band, and the World-Famous Cowboy Band. I am a member and previous officer of the International Student Fellowship; and, I work on campus in the Media Services department.
How has your degree program helped prepare you for your future career calling?
The music courses I have taken have helped to widen my knowledge and experiences on the subject. I have learned how to play and teach new instruments and how to conduct instrumental ensembles.
What has been your greatest achievement thus far?
I’ve received a Cynthia Ann Parker College of Liberal Arts music award, the Cowboy Band Spears Medal, and was inducted into Pi Kappa Lambda music honor society.
What is next for you?
I don’t have a solid answer right now, but I want to teach eventually. I’ve come to HSU to study music so that I can teach music and influence children for Christ through music. Hardin-Simmons did that for me.
Mathias Duut
Junior – Biochemistry/Molecular Biology – Kenya
Tell us about your journey to HSU.
My name is Mathias and I’m from Ghana. After high school, I was praying and asking God for help to find a small liberal arts Christian college to attend. Fortunately, God answered my prayers through a friend who lived in Dallas then and recommended that I apply to Hardin-Simmons University. On the Hardin-Simmons website, most students shared how HSU was more like a family to them than simply a typical university. Coming from a country where students’ and teachers’ relationships are not typically close, I was impressed with the cordial relationships between HSU professors and students. I also saw on the website that HSU professors were God-fearing and integrated Christian faith into their teaching, something I had not seen on any other university website.
Finances are a concern for a lot of students and families. Tell us about the impact the scholarship has had on you.
Coming to HSU as part of the Christlieb program has been a blessing. Because I have been able to attend Hardin-Simmons, I have learned a lot, both academically and spiritually, from fellow students and professors. I have built friendships that will last forever while HSU prepares me to achieve my dream of becoming a surgeon. This wouldn’t be possible without the financial support of the Christlieb program.
What has your student experience been like at HSU?
It has been a great experience. I have made a lot of friends who encourage and motivate me both academically and spiritually. I have also become close to my professors and learned a lot from them.
How has your degree program helped prepare you for your future career calling?
As a Biochemistry Major, classes such as Biochemistry (where we learn how metabolism is regulated in the body), Anatomy and Physiology (where we learn the structure and functions of specific body parts), Organic Chemistry (where we learn the reactions that synthesize organic molecules and how pharmaceutical drugs are made), and Genetics (where we learn how individual genes or groups of genes are involved in health and disease) have prepared me well with the foundational knowledge needed to succeed in medicine.
What has been your greatest achievement thus far?
In the spring of 2022, I was honored with the Holland School of Science and Mathematics’ Best Student award in Chemistry and Physics.
How has HSU impacted you?
HSU has helped me grow as a person, both spiritually and academically, and has instilled in me the value of being part of a community.
What is next for you?
I plan to attend medical school after completing my undergraduate degree at HSU.
Madison Lewis
Graduate – Christian Studies – Goldthwaite, Texas
Tell us about your journey to and from HSU.
My journey to Hardin-Simmons began when I toured the campus in 2016 with my brother. I had an aunt who attended Hardin-Simmons, but I had never been to campus until that day. While visiting, I was blown away by the beautiful campus and the friendly community. Even though my brother did not end up attending HSU, I kept the idea of HSU tucked away until it was time for me to consider colleges. I graduated high school in 2020, which was not the easiest or most fun time to look at colleges. Thankfully, HSU made it easy for my family to visit and I fell in love with the campus, again. That fall I attended Stampede 2020.
Finances are a concern for a lot of students and families. Tell us about the impact scholarship(s) had on you.
Since my sophomore year of high school, I knew I was called to ministry and had begun searching for Christian colleges. At first, the price of a private, Christian university scared me. I was afraid my family couldn’t afford a private education, but as we looked into it, my parents and I were pleasantly surprised to see that HSU scholarships with the local scholarships I received, made my dream pursuable after all!
What HSU organizations were you involved with?
I was a ministry leader in the Baptist Student Ministry (BSM) from 2021-2023. I am a big fan of BSM! I was also a member and later co-president of Circle K, a volunteer organization at HSU. In addition, I worked with HSU Productions as a student worker in Visual Media and as a student writer for University Marketing.
How has your degree program helped prepare you for your career calling?
Studying Strategic Communication in addition to Christian Studies was a great combination because I was able to hone my writing and media skills while developing my knowledge and ministry experience. Both degrees prepared me for my specific area of media church ministry, a great need for many churches. My degree programs were designed to help me grow and flourish.
What has been your greatest achievement thus far?
Being awarded the Altom Christian Service Award during my senior year at Hardin-Simmons was hugely impactful. It was encouraging to feel that my heart for others was seen.
What is next for you?
I plan to continue working for Woodridge Baptist Church in Kingwood, Texas. I would love to make the trek up to my alma mater for Homecoming or other events when I can because HSU and the people there made such an impact on my life. I am already missing campus, even though it has been less than six months since I graduated. I am so blessed, not only to have been able to receive a college education but to have an education enlightened by faith – one that has opened doors in my career as well as personally developing my character.
Kaylen Peraza
Senior – Education – Artesia, N. Mex.
Finances are a concern for a lot of students and families. Tell us about the impact the scholarship has had on you.
The scholarships I have been awarded have greatly impacted my life. Coming from a single-parent home with two younger siblings, I am paying my own way through college. I’ve always worked hard to accomplish my dreams, however, without these scholarships, I know I wouldn’t be where I am today! I am beyond blessed and grateful to have received each scholarship.
What has your student experience been like at HSU?
My student experience here at HSU has been full of learning opportunities! Coming in as a freshman was difficult, and I always looked forward to finally being a senior! Now here I am. I student-teach in the Fall and graduate in December. My college journey has taught me to always trust God!
How has your degree program helped prepare you for your future career calling?
HSU does a wonderful job preparing students for their future careers! In the education program, we have wonderful advisors and professors who want to help us grow and become the best teachers we can be. We are given opportunities for field experiences even before we student-teach! Just this semester, in one of my classes we went to Taylor Elementary and taught our own reading lessons to our own small groups! I know my experiences here are going to be very helpful when I step foot into my own classroom!
How has HSU impacted you?
HSU has impacted me greatly, to say the least! College can be a difficult time, learning how to be on your own and “adulting,” but HSU has given me a family that made the college transition easier! I’ve made long-lasting friendships and am so grateful for my time at HSU. I can’t believe it’s almost over.
What is next for you?
I graduate in December and about two weeks after graduation I’ll marry my high-school sweetheart on New Year’s Eve! After the wedding, we will be moving to Omaha, Nebraska due to a fantastic job opportunity for my fiancé. I hope to get a job teaching as soon as I’m settled in! I also plan to pursue a master’s degree to become a reading specialist! I am so excited to see what God has planned!
Alex Govea
Junior – Worship Leadership – Argyle, Texas
Finances are a concern for a lot of students and families. Tell us more about the impact the scholarship has had on you.
I grew up in a very low-income household. Tuition with no scholarships always seems scary and impossible, but with the incredible generosity of this scholarship I am able to fulfill my dream as a First-Generation Student and experience things others in my shoes typically are not able to.
What HSU organizations have you been involved with?
I’ve been involved in Choir, Baptist Student Ministry, HGT Hiking Club and I am in Kappa Phi Omega.
What has been your favorite study spot on campus?
The tables outside of the library in Bridges Courtyard cannot be beaten! There is nothing like studying in beautiful weather and seeing all your friends walk by.
How has your degree program helped prepare you for your future career calling?
My major, Worship Leadership, has equipped me with skills all across the board. I’ve been poured into through this program and it has taught me not just about leading worship on stage, but also learning to be a Servant Leader when it comes to building relationships with people. What this major teaches, incredibly, is the behind-the-scenes aspect like: How does the sound go from my guitar to the speakers? How do I even set up speakers? What is the history of worship? All these topics I have learned and applied hands on in my classes.
What is next for you?
Right now, my wife and I feel God calling us to the metroplex to serve in a church while working on a master’s degree.
Jordan Oberbillig
Junior – Fitness, Recreation, and Sport Management – McKinney, Texas
Tell us about your journey to HSU.
My journey to HSU dates back to when I was in high school attending summer tennis camps hosted by HSU. I had always loved the school and its family-like atmosphere. I didn’t start my college journey at HSU but after my first semester at another college I transferred to HSU and it was one of the best decisions of my life.
What HSU organizations have you been involved with?
I am involved in many different areas of campus, including being the team captain for the men’s tennis team. I am involved with HSU’s student athletic advisory committee helping promote athletics on our campus. I am also on the leadership team for Abilene’s Tri-College FCA.
What has been your favorite study spot on campus?
My favorite study spot on campus has to be on the third floor of the library. It has everything you need from computers and printers to rooms with whiteboards and TV monitors.
What has your student experience been like at HSU?
My student experience at HSU has been amazing. Being able to call this University my second home and have the unwavering support of faculty and staff has made this experience special. The people are what make this place special – a community that cares for one another.
How has your degree program helped prepare you for your future career calling?
The kinesiology program has helped me in so many ways to prepare for my career as a coach. The classes, from practice planning to injury prevention, have well-equipped me to help my future athletes. My degree plan is also beneficial in that it is preparing me for many sports-related jobs. The faculty does so well at equipping us for many different sports and health-related fields.
What is next for you?
I plan on graduating with my undergraduate degree in the Spring of 2025. After graduating, I hope to stay at HSU and become a graduate assistant tennis coach while earning a masters degree in the new coaching program. After completing my master’s degree my dream is to coach a college or high school tennis program, leading players to success both on and off the court.
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If you are interested in creating your own endowed scholarship to impact tomorrow’s Christian leaders, contact HSU’s Advancement Office at 325-670-1379 or advancement@onetree365.com.