From Jay Moore: ‘Hardin and Simmons…Nah, Too Hard to Say’
Jay Moore’s newest book, “Abilene Daily: Snapshots of Home,” contains one or more
vignettes from Abilene’s history for each day of the year. Periodically, stories with some connection–however loose–to Abilene’s religious life will be featured in Spirit of Abilene. The book can be purchased at Texas Star Trading Co., 174 Cypress St. www.texasstartrading.com or call 325-672-9696. Books are $27.50.
Following is an excerpt from Jay Moore’s book, Abilene Daily: Snapshots of Home, dated Aug. 29, 1934
Hardin and Simmons…Nah, Too Hard to Say
Simmons University perfected the legal change of the school to become Hardin-Simmons University in August of 1934. Three months earlier the board of Abilene’s oldest university unanimously agreed to change the school’s name in recognition of the largest gift received to date. John and Mary Hardin of Burkburnett wrote checks totaling over $400,000, and their philanthropy was honored by changing the school name to “Hardin and Simmons University.”
Because “Hardin and Simmons” was not a name combination that delightfully rolled off the tongue, the “and” was dropped and legal documents replaced it with a hyphen. It has been “Hardin-Simmons University” ever since.
Spirit Of Abilene 