Lauren Maurer Receives Prestigious Presser Scholarship from HSU's College of Fine Arts

ABILENE, TX (05/22/2013)(readMedia)-- Hardin-Simmons University junior Lauren Maurer of Abilene, Texas, has been named a Presser Scholar. During a commencement ceremony for students studying in the HSU College of Fine Arts, April 16, 2013, Maurer was surprised with the prestigious Presser Scholarship, awarded each year to a junior selected by the HSU music faculty.

The HSU School of Music was chosen again by the Presser Foundation to receive the sizable amount of money to award to a student to help with their music education. According to a letter from the Presser Foundation, "A student must show excellence in music study and be well-rounded in other studies. Only institutions with recognized quality music programs are considered."

Dean of the School of Music and Fine Arts, Dr. Bob Brooks, says, "Lauren is an excellent musician and is in the top of her class."

The Presser Scholar Award is the result of a foundation set up in 1906 by Theodore Presser, who started a tiny magazine in the late 19th century. Etude became sensationally successful almost immediately. When the first edition was published in 1893, teachers who did not have the opportunity to attend domestic or European conservatories were delighted to find a source of information in the inexpensive monthly publication.

Presser also started the Theodore Presser Publishing Company, one of the world's largest music publishers. By the turn of the century, Presser was a wealthy businessman who established the scholarship fund that still helps talented university students majoring in music more than a century later.

Lauren is pursuing a bachelor's degree in piano performance and says when she graduates she plans to pursue a master's degree. She hopes to one day teach at the university level. Lauren is the daughter of Dr. Randall Maurer, professor of psychology and family ministry at the Logsdon School of Theology at HSU, and Linda Maurer.

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 220 acres. Eighty percent of HSU's faculty members 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, the Chronicle of Higher Education named HSU to its honor roll of Great Colleges to Work For, and G.I. Jobs listed HSU as a Military Friendly School. HSU was also named to the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll.

Seven undergraduate degrees encompass 70 major fields including: athletic training, criminal justice, social work, counseling, sociology, psychology, molecular biology, biochemistry, environmental science, religion, music, art, theatre, teaching, communications, business administration, accounting, and management. Ten graduate degrees, encompassing 26 programs, include the Doctor of Ministry, Doctor of Education in Leadership, 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 liberal arts university, and has been affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas (Texas Baptists) since 1941.