Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Elwin L. Skiles Social Sciences Building

On Friday, November 17, 2023, at 1:30 p.m., Hardin-Simmons University will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Elwin L. Skiles Social Sciences Building. The event will include special remarks, guest speakers, and refreshments.

All are invited to attend.

About the Elwin L. Skiles Social Sciences Building

Dr. Skiles, for whom the building was named, served as HSU president from 1966 to 1977.

Groundbreaking for the Elwin L. Skiles Social Sciences Building took place February 8, 2002, at the annual spring meeting of the Board of Trustees. The building opened a year later for fall classes in 2003 and was officially dedicated during Convocation celebrations.

Dr. Skiles, for whom the building was named, served as HSU president from 1966-1977 and president emeritus until his death in March 2002. During Skiles’ presidency at HSU, the physical appearance of the campus changed drastically. New buildings constructed included the Sid Richardson Science Center (now Newman-Richardson Science Center), Mabee Military Science Building (now Mabee Hall, home of the PA program),  president’s home on Cedar Street, Cowboy Band Hall, Woodward-Dellis Recital Hall, Rupert and Pauline Richardson Library, maintenance building and warehouse, and Central Heating and Air Conditioning Plant. Funds also were raised for the Mabee Complex. Other improvements included the Brand Swimming Pool, Streich Tennis Center (formerly where the Fletcher Fitness Center now resides), and a new baseball field.

Dr. Skiles is remembered for quoting his “signature scripture” each time he approached the microphone in Behrens Auditorium. It was Psalm 118:24: “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Many hands were responsible for the success of the building’s fundraising and construction.

Like most HSU construction projects today, The Crowe Group of Abilene served as general contractors, and the Tittle Luther Group served as the architects for the new building.

The Skiles family pledged $1 million toward the $3 million facility.

Texas Instruments of Dallas funded the Win Skiles Legislative Hearing Room in memory of Win Skiles, son of Dr. Skiles. Win Skiles served as vice president and general counsel for TI prior to his death. Before joining Texas Instruments, Win had served as Chief of Staff for United States Senator John Tower.

The second floor of the building features the Clayton Roundtable Room, named in memory of Dr. Lawrence Clayton, former dean of the School of Liberal Arts. The Dodge Jones Foundation funded this beautiful domed showcase.

The Womble Courtroom, named for alumni and key donors Tom ’65 and Mary Jane ’66 Womble, replicates an actual courtroom.

Inez Kelley and her late husband, Dr. Doyle Kelley ’51, established the Hall of Leaders through a generous gift. Located on the first floor of the Skiles Building, the Hall of Leaders provides permanent recognition of graduates, former students, and former employees who have distinguished records of achievement and have proven themselves as men and women of good character. These awards occur each year (Dr. Elwin Skiles was inducted into the Hall of Leaders in 2018).