Dr. 埃尔温L. 斯基尔斯

Pastor – University President

A native of Callahan County, 斯基尔斯 was born June 15, 1912, in the Scranton community, 刘先生的独生子. 和夫人. A.I. 斯基尔斯 and grandson of a prominent early West 德州 Baptist preacher, George W. 公园.

At the age of three months, 斯基尔斯 first became an Abilenian when his parents moved to the city in the fall of 1912 so that his late father could continue his education at Simmons College, 现在许. 斯基尔斯’ father eventually graduated from Draughon’s Business College.

斯基尔斯 graduated from Cisco High School in 1930 and attended HSU from 1930 to 1932. 1932年到1935年, he attended Baylor University in Waco, receiving a bachelor of arts degree in 1934 and a master of arts degree the following year.

He had determined by the time he finished high school that he would enter the ministry and was ordained by the First Baptist Church of Cisco in 1933.

斯基尔斯 attended Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., earning the master of theology and doctor of philosophy degrees in 1938 and 1941.

In 1938, he married Ruth Kinder of 首页r, La., a student whom he met at Baylor. She received a bachelor’s degree from Baylor in 1937.

A member of what journalist Tom Brokaw has deemed “The Greatest Generation,” 斯基尔斯 served as a chaplain in the United States Navy during the Second World War.

For a quarter century, he served as pastor of Baptist churches in Russellville, 肯塔基州, 里士满, 维吉尼亚州, 乔治敦大学, 肯塔基州, 彭萨科拉, 佛罗里达和阿比林, 德州. He had served as Pastor of First Baptist Church in Abilene for 13 years when he was elected President of Hardin-Simmons University in 1966.

During 斯基尔斯’ presidency at HSU, the physical appearance of the campus was changed drastically. New buildings constructed included the Sid Richardson Science Center, the Mabee 军事 Science Building, the president’s home on Cedar Street, 牛仔乐队大厅, Woodward-Dellis Recital Hall, Rupert and Pauline Richardson Library, maintenance building and warehouse, and the Central Heating and Air Conditioning Plant. Funds also were raised for the Mabee Physical Education-Health-Athletic Complex. Other improvements included the Brand Swimming Pool and 娱乐 Area, the Streich Tennis Center and a new baseball field.

也许, he is most remembered for quoting his “signature scripture” each time he approached the microphone in Behrens Auditorium. It was Psalm 118:24: “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Dr. 斯基尔斯 was a great orator, a dignified gentleman who possessed a clever sense of humor and an extremely effective fundraiser who understood the importance of expanding the institution’s contacts throughout the nation and the world. During his last commencement, the Board of Trustees awarded their beloved president with an honorary doctorate. He was named Chancellor – a title he held for six years – and was then named as President Emeritus.

斯基尔斯 also served as a trustee of Hendrick Medical Center in Abilene, trustee chairman at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, trustee of both the Southern Baptist Foreign Mission Board and Sunday School Board.

In 德州 Baptist life, he served as chairman of the Baptist General Convention of 德州 Program Coordinating Committee and as vice chairman of the BGCT Executive Board. In 1995, he was named an Elder Statesman by the Independence Baptist Association – a prestigious statewide honor.

Dr. 斯基尔斯 and his wife, Ruth, had three children – Win, Ann and Sarah. A total of five grandchildren and two great grandchildren followed. Ruth 斯基尔斯 died in 1983, a tremendous loss for the 斯基尔斯’ family and for the Abilene community. Dr. 斯基尔斯 passed away on Friday, 3月22日, 2002, 享年89岁, having been a significant force in 德州 Baptist life for more than five decades. His children made the lead gift to the 斯基尔斯 Building on the HSU campus – a beautiful and lasting tribute to their father. The building opened in 2003, a year after Dr. 斯基尔斯的死亡.

In recognition of his dedicated service to Hardin-Simmons University and his exceptional ministry in the cause of Christ, Hardin-Simmons University proudly inducts Dr. 埃尔温L. 斯基尔斯 into the HSU 领袖堂.