Beth Abernethy Named Distinguished Alumni for Hardin-Simmons University

ABILENE, TX (10/26/2011)(readMedia)-- Beth Abernethy of Kilgore, TX, has been named a distinguished alumni for Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. Abernethy was given this honor at the school's homecoming, October 21 - 23, 2011.

Since her days as a rookie teacher for Hamilton ISD, Beth Abernethy has invested 41 years of her life as an educator, with 29 of those years spent in administration.

In 2002, Beth began serving as executive director of the Region VII Education Service Center based in Kilgore, Texas, servicing school districts in 17 surrounding counties. Beth is only the third woman who has been awarded this role among the 20 Education Service Centers across Texas since their inception in 1967.

Beth graduated from Hardin-Simmons in 1971 with a BA in English. She earned an MS in 1974 at the University of Central Arkansas and went on to earn a counselor certificate from Baylor University in 1978. She was awarded a Lifetime Texas Superintendent Certificate in 1986 from Tarleton State University.

She has also finished post graduate work at George Washington University, Washington D.C.; the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California; College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia; and Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Before moving to Kilgore, Beth was the superintendent of Hereford, Texas, Independent School District from 1999-2002. She served as superintendent of Navasota ISD from 1992-1999, and superintendent of Baird ISD from 1989-1992.

Prior to earning her superintendent certificate, she worked as an elementary and junior high principal for Hamilton ISD from 1977 through 1989. Beth taught Spanish in the Connally Independent School District from 1974 to 1977; was a Spanish teacher for Mount Saint Mary's Academy from 1973 to 1974; and taught English, history, and Spanish for Hamilton ISD from 1971 to 1973.

Beth was named Educator of the Month in 1996 while she was superintendent of Navasota ISD and was a finalist for the Texas Association of School Boards 2002 Superintendent of the Year Award.

As an ESC executive director, Beth served as chair of the Commissioners' Cabinet for Regional Services from 2007-2008; and since 2006 she has been on the Governing Board of the Texas Education Service Center Curriculum Collaborative.

She is currently on the Commissioner's Accountability Advisory Committee and has served on the Texas System of Education Service Centers Strategic Plan Committee since 2002; and served three two-year terms on the Regional Service Center Computer Cooperative Committee.

While at HSU, Beth was a member of Alpha Chi, Delta Social Club, Alpha Mu Gamma, Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities, the Student Congress, and worked as the resident assistant of Lange Hall.

In Kilgore, she is a member of First Presbyterian Church, ordained as an Elder in the Presbyterian Church, USA; a choir member, Sunday school teacher, and the children's worship leader.

She is married to Nathan Abernethy a 1971 graduate of HSU. Their son Barrett is a 2007 HSU grad and a newly minted member of HSU's Board of Young Associates.

Barrett describes his mom as, "The captain, who directed us through rough and calm waters. My father was the backbone, the support mom needed. The way they worked together as a team was how marriage and life should work. They needed each other, and by doing so, taught me some of the most valuable lessons parents can bestow on their children."

About Hardin-Simmons:

HSU has an enrollment of approximately 2,300 undergrad and graduate students from 29 states and 19 countries. HSU has a 13:1 student faculty ratio with a campus that sits on 209 acres. Seventy-nine percent of HSU's faculty hold the highest degree in their field.

The university is named by U.S. News and World Report as one of the best universities in the western region of the United States and is listed by The Princeton Review as a Top Ten Best in the West University. It is a member of the Colleges of Distinction, and the Chronicle of Higher Education named it to their honor roll as a "Great College to Work For."

Seven undergraduate degrees encompass 70 major fields including: athletic training, criminal justice, social work, counseling, psychology, molecular biology, biochemistry, environmental science, religion, music, art, teaching, history, communications, English, and sociology.

Ten graduate degrees include the Doctor of Ministry and the Doctor of Physical Therapy.

International study programs include England, Austria, Hong Kong, Spain, and Australia.

Hardin-Simmons University, founded in 1891, is a private Christian institution, and has been affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas (Texas Baptists) since 1941.