Ardent Supporter of HSU, Student Advocate Dies at 81
By: HSU Press Release
Updated: January 9, 2013
Dr. David "Scotty" Holland and his wife Jacque always loved to personally hear from Hardin-Simmons University students, and especially enjoyed getting to know the student who received scholarships from HSU's Holland School of Sciences and Mathematics.
The Holland School of Sciences and Mathematics was established in 1999 with an initial $2-million gift from the Holland's. They also helped fund the Holland Medical High School and the future establishment of the Holland School of Health Sciences.
The man known for his great generosity and personal interest in HSU's students, Scotty Holland, passed away on Saturday, January 5, in Houston, at the age of 81.
HSU president, Dr. Lanny Hall told HSU staff, "It is difficult to express the depth and breadth of the loss we feel in the death of Scotty Holland. Dr. Holland was a tremendously generous benefactor of Hardin-Simmons University. He loved this institution and tangibly demonstrated that love by the endowments he built, the scholarships he provided and through his interaction with faculty, staff and students. Scotty Holland has left deep and indelible footprints on this campus. He will be long remembered and appreciated."
The Holland's are 1949 graduates of Abilene High School. Dr. Holland attended HSU on a football scholarship before entering the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict where he served as an airborne radio operator aboard a B-25 Mitchell aircraft. Following military service, Holland received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geology from the University of Texas.
Holland was the retired President and Chief Executive Officer of Pennzoil in Houston. Wayne Roy, senior development officer for HSU said, "Scotty always took sheer delight in the accomplishment of each student." Despite his high title and demands on his time, "I recall on a stroll across campus, he would stop and talk to students, always taking a personal interest in their journey here."
Mike Hammack, HSU vice president for institutional advancement recalls, "Scotty and Jacque would frequently tell me how much they enjoyed receiving letters from our students. They took a personal interest in each young man's or young woman's life.
The Holland School of Sciences and Mathematics was established in 1999 with an initial $2-million gift from the Holland's. They also helped fund the Holland Medical High School and the future establishment of the Holland School of Health Sciences.
The man known for his great generosity and personal interest in HSU's students, Scotty Holland, passed away on Saturday, January 5, in Houston, at the age of 81.
HSU president, Dr. Lanny Hall told HSU staff, "It is difficult to express the depth and breadth of the loss we feel in the death of Scotty Holland. Dr. Holland was a tremendously generous benefactor of Hardin-Simmons University. He loved this institution and tangibly demonstrated that love by the endowments he built, the scholarships he provided and through his interaction with faculty, staff and students. Scotty Holland has left deep and indelible footprints on this campus. He will be long remembered and appreciated."
The Holland's are 1949 graduates of Abilene High School. Dr. Holland attended HSU on a football scholarship before entering the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict where he served as an airborne radio operator aboard a B-25 Mitchell aircraft. Following military service, Holland received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geology from the University of Texas.
Holland was the retired President and Chief Executive Officer of Pennzoil in Houston. Wayne Roy, senior development officer for HSU said, "Scotty always took sheer delight in the accomplishment of each student." Despite his high title and demands on his time, "I recall on a stroll across campus, he would stop and talk to students, always taking a personal interest in their journey here."
Mike Hammack, HSU vice president for institutional advancement recalls, "Scotty and Jacque would frequently tell me how much they enjoyed receiving letters from our students. They took a personal interest in each young man's or young woman's life.
