The Brand (Abilene, Tex.), Vol. 84, No. 6, Ed. 1, Friday, October 4, 1996 Page: 4 of 12
This newspaper is part of the collection entitled: Texas Digital Newspaper Program and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the Hardin-Simmons University Library.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Page 4 The Brand October 4 1996
- -
Photo courtesy of Dr. H. Taylor Rankin
Dr. Rankin (back left) and Dr. Grover (far left) recently led a group of
Hardin-Simmons students on an environmental expedition in Roswell
NM.
Ecology trip provides
experience to students
By Jake Long
Staff Writer
Seventeen Hardin-Simmons students
from Dr. H. Taylor Rankin's ecology class
recently traveled to Roswell N.M. on an
environmental appreciation trip.
After arriving late Thursday night at
the White Mountain wilderness area the
group's expedition began the following
morning. They started with a hike along
the Apache Trail and approximately five
miles later reached their destination
Monjeal Peak.
The students encountered a different
type of environment on the hike com-
pared to their surroundings in Abilene.
Dr. Rankin wanted his students to notice
the different types of wildlife and vegita-
tion due to the increase of elevation.
As they traveled along the trail the
students recorded in their journals infor-
mation about any unfamiliar wildlife they
saw.
"It gave them a chance to see an
environment unspoiled by man's activi-
ties" explained Dr. Rankin professor of
biology.
However the hike was not exactly a
pushover for the students. The elevation
from the trailhead was 3753 ft. to an
increase of 9641 ft. at Monjeal Peak. The
students had to adjust to the drastic
change of elevation considering Abilene
is at an elevation of 1730 ft. Despite the
situation the expeditioners had an opti-
mistic attitude concerning the hike.
"Our hike was pretty strenuous but
everybody had a positive attitude. I was
impressed with how enthusiastic the
group was" responded Dr. Herbert
Grover professor of environment man-
agement and biology at HSU who
accompanied Dr. Rankin on the trip.
Halfway through the hike the group
took some time to apply the "hands-on"
methods they had learned in the class-
room. The purpose of the experiment
included determining the trees per area
based on the number and density of trees
per acre. They used the point-quarter
method to accomplish this goal. The
point-quarter method determines the size
and types of different trees in order to cal-
culate the trees per area.
"Although our purpose was to deter-
mine the numbers of trees per area I also
wanted them to actually gain some expe-
rience" explained Dr. Rankin.
According to Dr. Grover the trip pre-
sented to the students how different fac-
tors such as soil and climate effect the
environment. There the students could
have a better understanding of the con-
cepts they have learned by observing the
factors on the trail.
"We wanted to give the students a
concrete way of putting the factors
together" said Dr. Grover.
For some of the students this oppor-
tunity was their first encounter with
nature. As a result a greater appreciation
towards the wilderness was developed.
"This trip was beneficial for biology
and geology majors because it allows
them to gain hands-on experience" said
senior Brady Kolb. "Since this class
involves a field-type subject the trip
allowed us to see nature's whole picture
instead of being inside studying a book."
Campus Digest
Church vocation majors increase at HSU
Dr. H. K. Nccly Jr.'dcan of the Logsdon School of Theology reported that a
total of 288 students arc listed in church vocations compared to 266 last year. This
represents a 7.6 percent increase.
Graduate enrollment in the Logsdon School is also on the increase.
The Master of Divinity program in its second year directed by Dr. Vernon
Davis has a total of 29 students compared to 15 last year.
There are 57 graduate ministry students this year at HSU which also includes
18 in the Master of Arts degree in religion. There arc 10 graduate students in the
programs across the campus.
PT students will participate in fund-raiser
The faculty and students in the master of physical therapy program at Hardin-
Simmons will be participating in the American Heart Associations Heart Walk on
Saturday Oct. 12.
The activity is in honor of physical therapy month which October has been
recongized as by the American Physical Therapy Association and health care
providers across the nation. In addition Mayor Gary McCalcb will make a procla-
mation of physical therapy month in Abilene on Oct. 10.
Students who would like to participate in the walk-a-thon are asked to contact
the AHA at 627-0070 and request to be in the Hardin-Simmons group. Donations
to sponsor the students in the Heart Walk can be made out to the American Heart
Association and sent to the physical therapy department HSU Box 16065.
Students help make thank-a-thon a success
Student volunteers from five organizations helped contact alumni and friends
on Sept. 16-17 to thank them for supporting the Loyalty Fund with their gift sup-
port. Volunteers from Alpha Iota Omega Kappa Phi Omega Sigma Alpha Theta
Alpha Zcta and Tri Phi contributed their time in calling nearly 400 individuals
making Loyalty Fund gifts this year.
The Loyalty Fund is HSU's annual giving campaign which provides scholar-
ship support for undergraduate students. All donations received through the Loyalty
Fund and Phonathon directly help students with scholarship assistance in the year
they are received.
A total of $909903 was received during the budget year ending last May
exceeding the annual goal by 10 percent.
Last April many of the same students participated in the university's annual
two-week Phonathon. "When asked again for help the students responded with
enthusiasm " said Michelc Sanders campaign secretary who helped coordinate the
thank-a-thon. "They were delighted to call and visit with the alumni who have
helped provide scholarship support through the Loyalty Fund."
"This was a tremendous success" said Bobby Cobbs assistant vice president
for development and campaign director. "Everyone we called appreciated the word
of thanks and enjoyed the chance to visit with a student. We plan to make this an
annual event."
HSU to hold class reunions during homecoming
Hardin-Simmons University has planned for seven class reunions during
Homecoming on Saturday Oct. 26. HSU's three-day weekend begins Thursday
Oct. 24 and concludes Sunday Oct. 27 with a worship service in Logsdon.
Classes that are scheduled to hold reunions include 1936 1946 1956 1966
1971 1976 and 1986. A number of other organizations will be meeting during the
weekend as well.
Exes are urged to contact the HSU Alumni Office at 9 1 5-670-1 3 1 7 if they need
additional information on times of special dinners or reunions.
Best Western
Colonial Inn
3210 Pine Street
Abilene. Texas 79601
(915)677-2683
Fax (915) 677-8211
For Reservations Call
1-800-528-1 234
The BEST WESTERN COLONIAL
INN is proud to support the
HARDIN-SIMMONS UNIVERSITY
COWBOYS by continuing our special
$42 rate for families for HSU students.
Book your HOMECOMING reserva-
tions early.
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
The Brand (Abilene, Tex.), Vol. 84, No. 6, Ed. 1, Friday, October 4, 1996, newspaper, October 4, 1996; Abilene, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth97645/m1/4/: accessed April 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Hardin-Simmons University Library.