Hardin–Simmons University (HSU) is a private Baptist university founded in 1891 in the city of Abilene, Texas. The institution, formerly known as the Abilene Baptist College was founded by a group of Texan cattlemen and pastors with the aim of providing a Christian education to the people of southwest Texas. It was renamed Simmons College in 1892 and changed again in 1934 to Hardin–Simmons University.
HSU is home to students studying a wide range of undergraduate and graduate level programs. The university offers six undergraduate degrees across 70 majors and seven graduate qualifications across 18 programs. HSU’s academic offering is split across seven schools: the College of Fine Arts, the Cynthia Ann Parker College of Liberal Arts, the Holland School of Sciences and Mathematics, the Irvin School of Education, the Kelley College of Business, the Logsdon School of Theology and the Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing. The university can boast small class sizes, giving students the chance to build meaningful relationships with their professors.
The main HSU campus covers 96 carefully landscaped acres with over 33 major buildings. As well as classrooms, residence halls and apartment complexes the HSU campus also features the student centre that has many leisure activities and space for students to meet and relax together. Campus life is enriched by the 50 or so student clubs and societies including service, religious, honour and academic groups as well as a number of fraternities and sororities.
