Dr. 埃尔温L. 斯基尔斯
牧师-大学校长
卡拉汉县本地人, 斯基尔斯出生于6月15日, 1912, 在斯克兰顿社区, 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.
三个月大的时候, 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, 他就读于韦科的贝勒大学, 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.
1938年，他与路易斯安那州荷马的露丝·金德(Ruth Kinder)结婚.他是他在贝勒大学认识的一个学生. 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.
四分之一个世纪, 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, 梅比军事科学大楼, 总统在雪松街的家, 牛仔乐队大厅, 伍德沃德-戴利斯演奏厅, 鲁珀特和波琳·理查森图书馆, 维修大楼及仓库, 以及中央供暖和空调设备. Funds also were raised for the Mabee Physical Education-Health-Athletic Complex. Other improvements included the Brand Swimming Pool and 娱乐 Area, 斯特雷希网球中心和一个新的棒球场.
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. 斯基尔斯是一位伟大的演说家, 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. 在他最后一次毕业典礼上, 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.
德州浸信会的生活, 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. 斯基尔斯于周五去世, 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. 该建筑于2003年开放，也就是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, PG电子游戏自豪地聘请了. 埃尔温L. 斯基尔斯走进哈佛大学领导大厅.
