Why I Give: Ewart Jones '90

Ewart Jones graduated from Hardin-Simmons in 1990 with a degree in Public Communication and is currently the Weiss College Coordinator for Rice University in Houston. Read below as Ewart talks about connections and memories from his time at Hardin-Simmons, focusing on his favorite professors, involvement in SING and his social club. Ewart also shares a funny memory about first meeting the then-president of the university, Dr. Lanny Hall.

Q. When did you attend HSU?
A. 1986-90

Q. Why did you choose HSU?
A. I wanted a smaller, liberal arts environment for undergraduate studies after coming from a rather large high school.

Q. Who were your most memorable teachers and mentors?
A. Charles Richardson, Randy Armstrong, Charlene Strickland Bevill

Q. What is a favorite story or memory of HSU from your time there?
A. When I came to Hardin-Simmons, I knew absolutely no one. Freshmen SING was instrumental in helping me to make friends and subsequently forge lifelong relationships (plus we won and swept the competition that year). I cannot overstate the importance of that experience and the influence it has had on my life, which sounds a little dramatic, but hours of singing and dancing really bond people together.

Q. How do you stay involved with and connected to HSU?
A. My connection now is mostly virtual and through relationships with my brothers in Theta Alpha Zeta, a social club, which was founded during my time at HSU. I am proud to be a charter member and am passionate about raising funds for our club's scholarship entitled the Brandon Kirby Memorial Scholarship. This fund honors one of our Theta alumni who has since passed away.

Q. Why did you choose to give back to HSU?
A. I give back in appreciation for those who made my time there so special and for the opportunity to provide for future students.

Q. What do you think other people should know about giving back to HSU?
A. There are a variety of ways to positively impact the lives of others.

Q. Is there anything else you want to share?
A. One of my favorite interactions as an alumnus was the semester immediately after I had graduated. Dr. Lanny Hall had just started his tenure as HSU president and came over to a group of recent graduates at a gathering during Homecoming. It was a great conversation and he jokingly asked me about donating to HSU now that I was an alumnus. I told him I would get right on that…after I paid off my student loans. But I love HSU so much that I started donating before the loans were even paid off.

You, like Ewart, can make a positive impact on the lives of HSU students. Contact Ash Wright, Vice President for Advancement and Engagement, at plannedgiving@hsutx.edu or (325) 670-1260 to learn more.