Hillary Haywood and the HSU Bible Impact
Of all our HSU traditions, the one that has the most life-changing potential is the Bible given to each incoming student. Since 2013, thousands of new HSU students have received a purple leather Bible during their first semester on campus due to the generosity of alumni and friends of the university.
Hillary Haywood
Hillary Haywood is a sophomore from Abilene, Texas, and majors in biology. Along with a rigorous class schedule, Hillary balances her time with on-campus and off-campus jobs, plus various clubs. She is an RA for Anderson Hall, works at Chick-fil-A and babysits on Sundays, plus is a member of Sigma Alpha and HScrU. After graduation, Hillary aspires to go into the medical field and become a pediatrician.
Hillary is a legacy student. Her mother, Tina, graduated from HSU in 1990. Being able to experience the same traditions and similar experiences as her mom is special to Hillary.
Hillary is driven and kind. One of her favorite things about HSU is the community. She said, “It’s so great running into people you know.” She is a model student and encourages her peers to get involved on campus.
Hillary received a purple HSU Bible her first semester, as is the tradition on campus. She shared,
HSU is praying for me; giving me a Bible helps me grow in my faith and spirituality. This Bible is a physical representation of the Christian community of HSU.
Traditions are powerful because they’re passed down from generation to generation. Please consider giving a Bible to an HSU student to carry on HSU’s commitment to teaching and training young men and women for Christ. Hillary added, “I feel so loved and welcome by everyone on campus. It is a wonderful thing to be able to speak about Jesus anytime and all the time with anyone.”
Hillary Haywood, along with current students Carson Ozbun and Nina Tarasovets, was invited to help spread awareness of the Bible tradition. Each of these students is a reminder that no matter the path taken to get here, or the path taken after graduation, the Bible received during their first semester is a reminder of the Christian faith and values instilled in their time at Hardin-Simmons University.
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