Distinguished Alumni Award

The Distinguished Alumni Award, given since 1970, is presented to alumni whose personal and professional accomplishments are exemplary of the ideals and aims of the University and thus bring honor to HSU. Awards are selected by a committee whose members are established by a campus leadership role.

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2012-2013 Recipient(s)

Dr. Patricia L. Blanton
BA 1962

Patricia Blanton has led a distinguished career in dentistry dating back to her first faculty appointment in 1967. Most recently, she became president of the American College of Dentists in October 2011 and first vice president of the American Dental Association that same month.

The first female president of the Texas Dental Association, she received her PhD in anatomy from Baylor University in Dallas and her DDS from Baylor College of Dentistry.

Patricia has spent most of her professional career at Baylor College of Dentistry where she is currently a professor emeritus in the Department of Biomedical Sciences.

Among her many honors are a nomination to the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame for health and research, the Baylor College of Dentistry Distinguished Alumni Award, and the Commanders Award from the Europe Regional Dental Command.

Pat is a member of HSU’s Ex-Cowgirls, is a founding member of Tri Phi, and has served on the University’s Board of Development.

In addition to her numerous academic positions and professional appointments, Patricia practices periodontics and implantology full-time in Dallas.

Mrs. Paula (Turney) Edwards
BM ’77/MM ’78

Paula Edwards has been choral director at her alma mater, Robert E. Lee High School, in Midland, TX, since 1989.

As a student at Hardin-Simmons University, she was involved in Student Foundation and Sigma Alpha Iota. Studying with conductor Dr. Loyd Hawthorne, she earned degrees in Music Education and Conducting.

Paula began her career teaching all-level music in Brandenburg, KY. She returned to Texas to become choral director at Madison High in San Antonio. During her nine years at Madison she served as Fine Arts Chair, All-State Section Leader and Region Vocal Chair.

While at Lee, Paula has served in many leadership roles for the TMEA All-State Choir program including Mixed Choir Organizer. She frequently hosts Area Auditions, UIL Contests, and Region Clinic and Concert events.

During Paula’s tenure at Lee, the choirs have received consistent “Sweepstakes” ratings at UIL contests, sung four times at TMEA, and participated in numerous overseas concert tours.

Paula is married to Phillip Edwards ’76. They have two children, Clare and Elizabeth.

Col. James L. Furgerson, MD
BS ’88

An ROTC scholarship helped make it possible for James Furgerson to attend Hardin-Simmons, where he ran varsity cross-country, worked in the biology lab, and served as cadet commander of the ROTC detachment.

After graduation, James attended medical school at Baylor College of Medicine (’92), entered active duty as an intern at Brooke Army Medical Center in 1992, and completed a residency in internal medicine in 1995.

He became a member of the teaching faculty at Brooke and served as CCU medical director and asst. chief of the cardiology service before becoming the fellowship program director in 2004, the position he holds today.

In 2007, James was deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, where he served as an attending cardiologist and intensivist at the 28^th Combat Support Hospital.

Highly-decorated, James is board certified in internal medicine, cardiology, and cardiovascular computed tomography. He is an Asst. Professor of Medicine at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.

James is married to Teresa K. Lee ’89. They live in near San Antonio with their children Jase (19) and Meredith (17).

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2012-2013 Recipient(s)

Mrs. Elizabeth (Cohorn) Abernethy
BA 1971

Since her days as a rookie teacher for Hamilton ISD, Beth Abernethy has invested 41 years of her life as an educator, with 23 of those years spent in Administration.

Beginning in 2002, Beth has served as executive director of the Region VII Education Service Center. Based in Kilgore, Texas, Region VII encompasses 17 countries. Beth was just the third female awarded this role with any of the 20 Education Service Centers since their inception in 1967.

Beth (MSEd University of Central Arkansas) holds both a Lifetime Texas Superintendent and Principal certificate. She was a finalist for the Texas Association of School Boards 2002 Superintendent of the Year Award.

At HSU, Beth was a member of Alpha Chi, Delta Social Club, and Student Congress. She is married to Nathan Abernethy '71. Their son Barrett '07 is a newly-minted member of HSU's Board of Young Associates.

Contact Beth at eabernethy@aol.com

Mr. Charles Davis
BM 1984

In June of 1999, Chuck Davis joined the U.S. Department of State as a Foreign Service Officer. Since then he has served in Hong Kong, Beijing, London, Amman, and Singapore. He has held positions in Political/Economic affairs, Consular affairs, Management, and served as the Deputy Director of the Iraq Support Unit in Amman, Jordan. He currently works in Management at the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv.

Previously, Chuck enjoyed over nine years as a Baptist Student Ministries Director following two years as Minister of Youth and Music for Calvary International Baptist Church in Taipei, Taiwan.

At Hardin-Simmons University, Chuck was active in Phi Mu Alpha, Baptist Student Ministries (BSU) and Cowboy Band.

Chuck is married to HSU alumna Elaine Martin Davis, class of 1983, an Abilene native and licensed Social Worker. They have two children, Daniel (19) and Allison (16).

Contact Chuck at diplodad@yahoo.com

Mr. Robert C. Moates
BA 1951

WWII veteran Bob Moates worked for 20 years as an executive with Palmer Broadcasting Company (Cable TV Division), the predecessor to Comcast Cable, in Naples, Florida. Following his retirement in 1987 as vice president of the company's board of directors, Bob became a Realtor.

Bob also worked energetically with a wide variety of service and professional organizations including a stint as president of the Naples Chamber of Commerce. As a charity auctioneer, he helped raise over $11 million for various groups.

Since 1978, Bob and his wife Jane (Rowland '51X) have donated over 13,000 pairs of sneakers to children in need. In 2006, Bob was named Naples' Outstanding Citizen of the Year and was invited to Washington, D.C., to receive the Jefferson Award for Public Service.

As an HSU student, Bob served as business manager of the Brand, as Vice President of the Student Body, and helped found the HSU Rangers organization.

Contact Bob at auxshunear@aol.com

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2010-2011 Recipient(s)

Dr. Ruth Schleifer
BA 1982

Ruth Schleifer is a solo medical practitioner, specializing in Obstetrics & Gynecology. In 2000, she opened her West Hartford, CT, private practice, WomanCare.

Dr. Schleifer was the first female elected to the PHO Board of Directors at St. Francis Hospital and is currently serving her third term. She is also on the peer review committee for Women and Infants. She served her residency in Obstetrics & Gynecology at St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center in Hartford 1990-1994.

More recently, Ruth attended the University of Connecticut School of Law, 2000-2004, and passed her Bar Exam (on the first try) in 2005.

She has two medical publications to her credit, and has participated in four Surgical Mission trips to the Dominican Republic with Medical Missions International.

While a student at HSU, Ruth was active in Delta Zeta Chi social club, among other organizations.

Mr. Marv Knox
BS 1979

Marv Knox is editor of the Baptist Standard, newspaper of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, a position he’s held since January 1999 after serving for three years as associate editor.

Mr. Knox’s writing and editing have been honored with awards from the Dallas Press Club, the Religious Public Relations Council and the Baptist Communicators’ Association. He is past chairman of the board of directors of Associated Baptist Press; past president of the Whitsitt Society, a Baptist heritage organization; and past chairman of the HSU media relations advisory board.

In 1996, he was named a distinguished alumnus of the HSU’s Logsdon School of Theology, and he was awarded the honorary doctor of humane letters degree from DBU in 2004.

At HSU, he was Brand editor for three years, and was president of both Alpha Phi Omega and Student Foundation.

Marv and his wife Joanna (Jarchow ’79) have been active in the HSU Alumni Association since graduation.

Major General Jose S. Mayorga
MBA 1989

Major General Mayorga became the 50th Adjutant General for the State of Texas in April, 2009.

He is responsible to the Texas Governor for providing ready trained forces of the Texas Army Guard, the Texas Air Guard, the Texas State Guard, and the Adjutant General’s Department, better known as the Texas Military Forces, in support of state operations.

The general is also responsible to the President of the United States for providing ready trained forces in support of federal missions.

Jose earned his B.S. degree in 1977 from Texas A&I, Kingsville. He served four years on active duty with the Regular Army, before accepting a Reserve commission. He joined the Texas Army National Guard in 1982.

He is a registered Professional Engineer and, prior to becoming Adjutant General, had a 27-year civilian career with the Railroad Commission of Texas.

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Past Recipients

Name	Award Year	Bio
Dr. Patricia Blanton BA 1962	2012-2013	Bio
Mrs. Paula (Turney) Edwards BM 1977 MM 1978	2012-2013	Bio
LTC James Fergerson BS 1988	2012-2013	Bio
Mrs. Elizabeth (Cohorn) Abernethy BA 1971	2011-2012	Bio
Mr. Charles Davis	2011-2012	Bio
Mr. Robert C. Moates BA 1951	2011-2012	Bio
Dr. Ruth Schleifer BA 1982	2010-2011	Bio
Mr. Marv Knox	2010-2011	Bio
Major General Jose S. Mayorga MBA 1989	2010-2011	Bio
Mr. Harvey Catchings, 1974	2009-2010
Mr. Jack Graham, 1972	2009-2010
Mr. Gene Adams, 1954/1962	2008-2009
Mrs. Rebecca (Barlow) Jordan, ex 1966	2008-2009
Mr. Joe Stickland,1976	2008-2009
Mr. Naim (Steve) Ateek, 1963	2007-2008
Miss Stacy Blair, 1977	2007-2008
Mr. Hilton Hemphill, 1963	2007-2008
Mrs. Ann Smith Coody, 1959	2006-2007
Retired Brigadier General R.L. Hering, Jr., 1946	2006-2007
Dr. Bill O'Brien, 1955	2006-2007
Miss Betsy Brown, 1977	2005-2006
Mr. Larry English, 1969	2005-2006
Dr. Carl O. Trusler, 1968	2005-2006
Dr. Jan Evans Patterson, 1978	2004-2005
Mr. Bill T. Teague, 1961	2004-2005
Dr. W.E. (Bill) Thorn, 1948	2004-2005
Mrs. Frances (Fran) Osbourne Adkins, 1970	2003-2004
Retired Lt. Colonel Consuelo Castillo Kickbusch, 1976	2003-2004
Dr. Dan Yeary, 1961	2003-2004
Mr. Terry DuBose, 1966	2002-2003
Retired Colonel Jack Grogan Jr., 1967	2002-2003
Dr. Gene Wofford, 1952	2002-2003
Dr. Lynne Abney, 1970	2001-2002
Mr. Max Arrell, 1959	2001-2002
Dr. Verney Sallee, 1964	2001-2002
Mr. Charles Elliott, 1965	2000-2001
Dr. Nathan A. Ivey, 1948	2000-2001
Mr. Edmund Nichols, 1953	2000-2001
Mr. Steve Stroope, 1976	1999-2000
Dr. Jim Towns, 1965	1999-2000
Mr. Bob Tremaine, 1957	1999-2000
Mr. CLaude Dollins, 1963	1998-1999
Miss Marilois Kirksey, 1957	1998-1999
Mr. Bob Evans, 1961	1997-1998
Dr. Richard Ross, 1972	1997-1998
Miss Margaret Waldrop, 1968	1997-1998
Mr. Lonnie Allsup, ex 1951	1996-1997
Miss Francis McBeth, 1954	1996-1997
Mr. Jerry Reynolds, 1963	1996-1997
Mr. John Clayton, 1964	1995-1996
Mr. Dale Coody, 1959	1995-1996
Mr. Tom Womble, 1965	1995-1996
Mr. Jaylon Fincannon, 1968	1994-1995
Mr. Lewis Stephens, 1952	1994-1995
Mrs. Marijohn Melson Wilkin, 1940	1994-1995
Mrs. Judy Malone Finch, 1966	1993-1994
Mr. Fred McNab, 1976	1993-1994
Mr. Fred E. Aurbach, 1966	1992-1993
Mr. Robert Holladay, 1962	1992-1993
Miss Frances Carol Knight	1992-1993
Dr. Truett Latimer, 1951	1991-1992
Mrs. Linda Loutherback Putnam, 1967	1991-1992
Mr. Joseph Garrison, 1949	1990-1991
Mrs. Mary J. Curtis Island, 1971	1990-1991
Mr. Bryan Shelburne, 1965	1990-1991
Mr. Joseph Archer Gibson, 1924	1989-1990
Mr. William (Bill) T. Morgan, 1948	1989-1990
Mrs. Dellana West O'Brien, 1953	1989-1990
Mrs. Maridell Fisher Fryar, 1957	1988-1989
Mr. Charles Tandy, 1949	1988-1989
Mr. David Wong, 1954	1988-1989
Mrs. Nancy Sample Garms, 1960	1987-1988
Mr. Elbert E. Hall, 1931	1987-1988
Mrs. Elizabeth Junell Baugh, 1936	1986-1987
Mr. Bryce Jordan, 1942	1986-1987
Mrs. Helen Jean Bond Parks, 1948	1986-1987
Mr. William Gaddis, 1938	1985-1986
Mr. Charles McLaughlin, 1957	1985-1986
Mrs. Betty Pearce Stephenson, 1947	1985-1986
Mr. Nelson H. Dyess, 1951	1984-1985
Mr. James Flamming, 1955	1984-1985
Mr. A.B. Foster Jr., 1947	1984-1985
Mr. D. Dale Haralson, 1959	1983-1984
Mr. David S. "Scotty" Holland, 1950	1983-1984
Mr. Kenneth T. Whitescarver, 1942	1983-1984
Dr. Hollis E. Bivens, 1948	1982-1983
Mr. Doyle E. Larson, 1962	1982-1983
Mr. Jack T. Martin	1982-1983
Mr. Guy Caldwell, 1927	1981-1982
Mrs. Jeannette Tippitt Caldwell, 1928	1981-1982
Miss Aletha Fuller, 1945	1981-1982
Mr. Jack R. Taylor, 1953	1981-1982
Mr. Joseph H. Arnette, 1953	1979-1980
Mr. Claude A. Hicks, 1955	1979-1980
Mr. Fred R. Higginbotham, 1948	1979-1980
Mr. Gordon Wood, 1938	1978-1979
Mrs. Magnolia Starks McCullough, 1967	1978-1979
Mr. Jeter D. Fulbright, Jr., 1972	1978-1979
Mrs. Virginia Dale Moore, 1948	1977-1978
Mr. Glen Burroughs, 1949	1977-1978
Mr. Conrad Ramsey Lam, 1927	1977-1978
Mr. Fred Earl Ingerson, 1928	1976-1977
Dr. Zollie Steakley, 1929	1976-1977
Mr. Darold Hugh Morgan, 1944	1976-1977
Mr. John Hanna Brewer, 1930	1975-1976
Mr. Joe Wright Burton, 1929	1975-1976
Mr. James Nathan Tidwell, 1929	1975-1976
Mrs. Maye Bell Taylor, 1929	1974-1975
Mr. William T. Reid, 1926	1974-1975
Mr. W. Hines Sims, 1928	1974-1975
Mrs. Virginia Boyd Connally, 1933	1973-1974
Mr. T. Burns McKinney, 1938	1973-1974
Mr. Willie (Bill) L. Scott, 1947	1973-1974
Miss Elizabeth F. Riley, 1929	1972-1973
Mr. George H. Mahon, 1924	1972-1973
Mr. C. Moxley Featherston, 1948	1972-1973
Mr. Warren C. Hultgren, 1947	1971-1972
Dr. Dossie M. Wiggins, 1919	1971-1972
Mr. John Leland Atwood, 1926	1970-1971
Mr. Byron E. Pollock, 1929	1970-1971
Mr. Rupert N. Richardson, 1912	1970-1971