Former HSU Student Establishes Scholarship for Veterans

Lorene (Norman) Chambliss, who attended HSU from 1938 to 1940, established through her will the Lorene Chambliss Scholarship in memory of her parents, E.D. and Lydia Norman, and her husband, Frank N. Chambliss. Her express wishes were that the scholarship benefit well-qualified students needing financial assistance, particularly those from the states of Texas and Louisiana, and with disabled veterans being given preference over other applicants.

Dr. Lanny Hall, HSU president, comments, "This tremendous gift from Mrs. Chambliss is evidence of her family's love for Hardin-Simmons and her appreciation for the values-based, Christian education the university offers to students. We are exceedingly grateful to Mrs. Chambliss for her desire to provide scholarships to deserving students who have served our nation to defend and protect the freedoms we enjoy in the United States."

Lorene died May 15, 2012, in West Monroe, Louisiana, where she had lived for some time. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Newton Chambliss, an attorney in West Monroe. Lorene was a long-time caregiver to her mother, who died in 1995 at the age of 104. Her mother had requested that upon Lorene's death she leave the property she had inherited from her to Hardin-Simmons University. The Chamblisses had no children, and Lorene honored her mother's wishes--and more. Not only did she grant to HSU the property left to her by her mother, she left her entire estate to the university.

Lorene was born September 17, 1920, and was a proud West Texan throughout her life. During her early years, she taught high school Spanish and later worked with government social services. She was known to be a fiercely independent woman who continued to educate herself throughout her lifetime by reading.

The value she placed on education will continue on with the scholarship funds that will be made available to veterans to fund the cost of tuition and fees not covered by their veteran's benefits.

To apply or for more information, contact Kimberly Beal, HSU VA benefits coordinator, at (325) 670-1203, kbeal@hsutx.edu, or Box 16190, Abilene, TX 79698.