HSU freshman competes at U.S. Open
When most freshmen arrive on a college campus, they’re focused on adjusting to classes, meeting new friends and finding their place. For Hardin-Simmons University freshman Keegan Ratliff, the start of college also included a trip to New York City, where he recently competed against some of the world’s top para standing tennis players at the U.S. Open. Click here ti read HSU news release.

HSU freshman Keegan Ratliff at U.S. Open

ACU launches new brand, external campaign
Abilene Christian University recently launched a new brand and external campaign following two years of listening, research and planning. The effort was designed to more clearly articulate what distinguishes ACU and strengthen how the university tells its story to current students, prospective students, families, and alumni. Click here to read ACU news release.

Fletcher Series deadline at HSU
Deadline to register for the Oct. 6 Fletcher Lecture Series at Hardin-Simmons University is Sept. 28. Jean Savage, president and CEO of Trinity Industries, will speak on Oct. 6 at 11:30 a.m. in the Houston-Lantrip Center. Click here to register.

Join The Well’s Fun Run 5K
The Well Church is holding its 5th annual Ready Set Glow Fun Run 5K is Oct. 11. The deadline is to register is the same day. The glow-in-the-dark race will take you through the heart of downtown before ending with the Glow Party in The Well’s Green Space. The party will feature food trucks, kids activities, music and nonprofit booths. Click here to register.

ACU student wins national dunking competition
ACU Junior Cam Hazzard – a triple major, an honors student, a trumpeter in ACU’s Big Purple Band – has now added “world champion dunker” to his resume, taking home the trophy and $500,000 in the Dunkman World Championship recently in Atlanta. An excited contingent of Wildcats joined a watch party in Moody Coliseum to watch Hazzard put on quite a show for the nationally televised audience in the competition backed by NBA legend Shaq O’Neal.

Rehab Center annual round up
The annual Round Up for Rehab Sale will be held Sept. 22, beginning with lunch at 11 a.m. The sale, which will begin at 1 p.m., and lunch will be held at the Abilene Livestock Auction, 3265 N. Judge Ely Blvd. For more information, call 793-3510 or 557-7073. 

Summit registration deadline
Deadline to register for the 120th Summit at Abilene Christian University is Sept. 22. Summit will be held Oct. 7-9. Theme will be “Romans 12: A Call to Genuine Love,”  Click here to register. 

‘Messiah’ rehearsals begin at Howard Payne University
Rehearsals began Monday, Sept. 14, for Handel’s “Messiah” and will continue each Monday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Rehearsals will be in the Davidson Music Complex at Howard Payne University. Singers from throughout the region are invited to join the Brownwood Community Chorus for the concert on Dec. 8 with a full orchestra. Click here to read HPU news release.

Christian Service Center fall luncheon
Steve Ridgell, Director of Domestic Ministry for Herald of Truth, will be guest speaker for Christian Service Center’s fall luncheon on Sept. 25. The luncheon will begin at 11:30 a.m. at the Abilene Country Club. New Executive Director Meredith Horn will be introduced as the replacement for Jim Clark, who is retiring. Call (325) 673-7531 for ticket information.

ACU creates new center for pre-law professions
Abilene Christian University has established the Center for Pre-Law Professions – led by executive director Chris Riley, J.D., associate professor of government and criminal justice – to unify and enhance its growing pre-law program. Click here to read ACU news release.

Chris Riley

HSU homecoming to feature alumni vendor market 
Hardin-Simmons University will feature an Alumni Vendor Market, 5-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, during the Homecoming Friday Night Festival. The market, which will be on the Newman-Richardson lawn, will showcase the businesses and talents of alumni. Vendors need to provide a tent and tablecloth. HSU will provide a table and chairs. Click here to register. 

ACU featuring ‘Rally Cats Experiences’
Rally Cats Experiences are back in 2026-27 at Abilene Christian University. Sign up or renew young Wildcat fans, ages sixth grade and younger. VIP and sport-specific packages will be offered. Learn more and register here.

HSU master’s program earns full accreditation
Hardin-Simmons University’s Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program has received full accreditation from the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA), marking a significant milestone for the university and its commitment to preparing the next generation of speech-language pathologists. Click here to read HSU news release. 

Registration open for university homecomings
Hardin-Simmons, McMurry, and Abilene Christian universities have opened registration for their homecomings. First up is Hardin-Simmons, Oct. 15-18. Click here to register. Click here for a schedule. Next is ACU, scheduled for Oct. 29-Nov. 1 Click here to register. Click here for a schedule. McMurry’a homecoming will be held Nov. 5-8. Click here to register. Click here for a schedule.

HSU alumni awards
Hardin-Simmons University recently announced its 2026 John J. Keeter, Jr., Alumni Service Award and the Distinguished Alumni Award recipients. They will be honored at the Alumni Awards Banquet on Thursday, Oct. 15, kicking off Homecoming 2026. Jane (Dennis) Hager ’67 B.S, won the Keeter Award. Distinguished Alumni Awards went to: Mr. Bennie Kniffen ’72 B.B.A., Chief Melvin Martin ’76 B.S., and Dr. Courtney Queen ’97. Click here to read more about each recipient.  

Summit registration opens  
Registration for ACU’s annual Summit, which will be held Oct. 7-9, opened Monday, July 20, and ends Sept. 22. Cost for the pre-Summit workshop, to be held Oct. 6 and 7, is $25. The workshop will feature Dr. Willie James Jennings, the Andrew W. Mellon Professor of Theology and Africana Studies at Yale University Divinity School. Theme for Summit is “Romans 12: A Call to Genuine Love.” Click here to register for all Summit events.