What I Love About HSU

Valentine’s Day is a time of love all over the world, and Hardin-Simmons University is no different. To celebrate the holiday, we want to focus on the love that some of our students and staff share about our great campus. 

Kacie Eurek ’17/’19, Director of University Marketing, said, “HSU is my home. From undergrad in 2013 to now being the Director of University Marketing in 2024, this place continues to show me so much love. Throughout each year, HSU has brought me new loves into my life whether it be friends, mentors, my relationship with my husband, my two cats that I found on campus, or the people I work with every day. I am beyond blessed by HSU, and my love will continue to grow as an alum and staff member.” 

Corrine Whitaker ’22, Assistant Director of Student Engagement, said, “I just really love the people here. They feel like family, especially because I went to school here, there are people who poured into me. Working here, I have the opportunity to do the same. And I like throwing a birthday party for our goose!” 

Jackie Simpson, Financial Aid Counselor, said, “The people are awesome here and make the campus feel like a family environment. I love helping the students and seeing them come from everywhere to HSU. I love the campus, it’s very pretty and the pond is beautiful. I love Gilbert, of course, and Gilbert’s coffee shop, too. Most importantly, I love the people. My daughter attends here, and she’s loving it too.” 

Ali Dragoo ’22, Senior Admissions Counselor, said, “I love the office environment we have here. I love my coworkers, and we love each other. We try to make everything lighthearted and fun and try to help each other every day. We also try to make everything fun for the students as much as we can. The work environment is my favorite thing about HSU.” 

Paige Jennings ’22, Admissions Counselor, said, “What I love is how everyone makes me feel seen and appreciated. Even if I don’t know the person personally, they make me feel like they care about me while I’m on campus. What I love is that we can work really hard helping prospective students, but we can have fun with both each other and the students coming in.” 

Dr. Jason King ’99/’02, Professor of English and Writing, said, “For me, HSU feels like home. I’ve spent more than half my life here, both as a student and more than fifteen years as a faculty member. My history is here, my friends are here, and I love the university in general because it’s a place where it’s focused on learning, being our best selves, and thinking about the ways that our learning integrates with the faith of life.” 

Charis Ochu, a junior biology major, said, “I love the family that I have built here at HSU. This might sound cliche, but I cannot imagine what life would have been like if I had not met the people who I now call friends in HSU.” 

Landry French, a senior English major, said, “What I love about HSU is how the professors are all approachable. I don’t feel afraid at all to ask my professors questions or to talk to them about whatever. They’re like friends, but they grade your papers.”