The HSU Round Table - Hardin-Simmons University

Whitney Boyd, the 2019 Round Table scholarship recipient, poses after receiving her award.

History of the HSU Round Table

Simmons Round Table, today’s HSU Round Table, was founded in the fall of 1910 by Simmons College First Lady, Mrs. Lucile Sandefer, to cultivate friendships among faculty wives. From the first meeting, which was held around Mrs. Sandefer’s round dining room table, a very extensive movement began. Under her leadership and business acumen, these industrious ladies undertook projects that would transform and enhance the rugged frontier campus.

To mention a few of their initiatives, in 1915 the group purchased and planted 100 pecan trees, many of which remain on the campus today, and constructed an irrigation system to water the new plantings. In 1919 when electricity first became available to the surrounding community, the HSU Round Table convinced the City Council to install lights on the campus. Their fundraising projects brought the first concert grand piano to campus, and the early club members sponsored several concerts. In more recent years, the club placed a sun dial on the campus lawn, and participated in the Millennial Light Project though the purchase of a light outside Moody Center.

Over the years, Round Table has been impacted and influenced by social and cultural changes. Today membership is extended to wives of administration and staff members. Yet, for a century the organization has remained true to Mrs. Sandefer’s vision. The mission of the organization is to continue to serve the students and HSU family as a whole, while producing an environment that facilitates friendships among faculty wives.

The Purple Iris

The roundtable has designate the purple iris as its flower of choice because it represents wisdom, knowledge, honor, and dignity which are attributes of its founding members and continue to be valued by members today.

The HSU Round Table Virtue Award

The Virtue Award is presented at the annual round table luncheon to a woman who has exhibited exemplary leadership within her sphere of influence, who has exhibited fiscal, emotional or physical support to the ongoing of Hardin-Simmons University, and who represents Christian values and beliefs foundational to Hardin-Simmons University.

Grave markers in the HSU Triangle.

HSU “Triangle” Recognized as Texas Historical Marker

On Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, the HSU Campus Triangle was officially declared a Texas Historical Marker. Watch this TV news segment from KRBC to learn more.

In 2019, HSU Alumna Mickey Cassle received the Round Table Virtue Award for her many efforts throughout Abilene, including Pioneer Drive Baptist Church and the HSU Board of Trustees.

Renowned gospel artist Janet Paschal and her sister, Kay, provided entertainment for 2019 Round Table attendees.

A table of attendees at the 2019 Round Table luncheon.

Photo of a table of alumni with president Bruntmyer

Photo of an alumni giving speech at HSU Round Table.

HSU Round Table Scholarship

The HSU Round Table Scholarship shall be presented to a female Hardin-Simmons student who will begin her junior year at Hardin-Simmons the upcoming fall semester and who has maintained a 3.0 GPA since beginning her freshman year at Hardin-Simmons. She shall have participated in campus extracurricular activities and exhibited leadership qualities representative of Christian values and beliefs foundational to Hardin-Simmons University.

Contribute

Scholarship contributions may be sent to:
Hardin-Simmons University
Round Table Scholarships
HSU Box 16000
Abilene, Texas 79698
For Questions Call (325) 660-5279
Or Purchase an HSU ornament to contribute (November and December only).

Apply

Apply for the Round Table Scholarship by filling out the Round Table Scholarship Application