Fall break is right around the corner, bringing a time of much-needed rest before the second half of the fall semester gets into gear. With this break, many students may be looking for ways to enjoy it while also wanting to make the most of their time away from classes. Whether you are planning to head home, spend time with friends or simply relax, there are plenty of ways to make fall break both enjoyable and refreshing. One of the best ways to spend fall break is by catch

On Oct. 9, I went to see the legendary country music duo Brooks & Dunn live in concert at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth. I had just turned 21 earlier that week and had been planning to go to this event with my parents for some time. Beginning their music journey together in 1990, Leon Eric “Kix” Dunn and Ronnie Dunn have gone on to make their mark in the country music realm. Over the last 36 years of being a group, the duo has been awarded 20 Country Music Association (CMA) a

Wait Until Dark was performed on the Down Center Stage (DCS) of Van Ellis Theatre at Hardin-Simmons University (HSU) on Sept. 24 -27. It was directed by Mackenzie Marshall, a senior theatre education major from Pilot Point. This show, however, had limited seating available. With that being said, it sold out on two out of the four shows it held. This show had a very entertaining plot and had the entire crowd laughing in their seats. It was about a blind girl in her apartmen

My name is Katie Caudle. I am a 22-year-old music education major in my forth year at Hardin-Simmons University. I was in my senior year of high school when the first widely used generative AI platform, ChatGPT, came out in 2022. A friend’s parent showed me, exceptionally excitedly, a song that he had written about Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson with just the click of a button. I was surprised and excited to see the song was something that sounded half decent. I thought it looked

DirectFest was an event held on April 24 and April 25 starting at 7:30 P.M. and lasted about two hours. It’s a one act play festival with multiple miniature plays all directed by the students as part of Directing One Class at Hardin-Simmons University (HSU) as the last shows of the 2025-2026 school year. In this play the students were allowed to direct their own 10 minute play. In total there were eight plays; four plays back to back, each with one director, a 15 minute break

On Friday, April 24, I got to be part of something that did not feel like just another concert, but like stepping into a piece of country music history. George Strait took the stage with his Ace in the Hole Band, and for a few hours, nothing else really mattered. The night started with Zach Top and Dylan Gossett and right off the bat it was clear this wasn’t gonna be some throwaway opener set. Dylan Gossett came out first and got things started in the best way. His set felt

We are in an era where Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become an integral part of our everyday lives; ChatGPT, Claude AI, Google Gemini and more are being used more and more every day. AI can be used for many purposes, and one of these is writing books. Books written by AI are often criticized for their lack of creativity, repetitive or bland prose and ethical problems such as plagiarism of other books and author styles. Simply typing in a prompt into any AI program, one c

Songs for a New World opened up with a bang on April 9 at 7:30 P.M. The musical featured nine talented actors who captivated the audience through the entire performance with their great character acting, captivating story telling and of course amazing vocals. There were over 100 people in attendance to this musical, with a bulk of the audience being fellow students and faculty of Hardin-Simmons University (HSU). Songs For a New World itself is a 30-year-old musical writ

As the spring semester of 2026 draws to a close, it is certain some students will receive a project that they either must present individually, or part of a group. Though this is definitely easier said than done, as more than half of the total population struggles with public speaking. Be that as it may, there are ways to make the experience easier on the presenter. The first step to overcoming anxiety is preparation. Being prepared for something rather than doing it at t

It is now the time of year when the Easter holiday is right around the corner. For Christians, we hold this weekend in high esteem as the most important week for our faith apart from the birth of Christ. We celebrate Good Friday, remembering the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross for the sins of the world. We sit and rest in the silence of Holy Saturday, wrestling with the same thoughts and fears of the disciples, sympathizing with their grief. And then we rejoice on Res

Are you interested in writing your own story, or maybe you just want to make a character for fun and are confused on where to start? Well, there is so much advice out there on how to write, and do it well. However, writing a character is harder than it looks. Once a writer has an idea for a book, they’ll need a solid character to go along with it. First, define what the character wants. A character’s motivation is central to the story- it's what commands them and gives them a

In an age where mental health is becoming more recognized and researched; diagnosing and finding treatment for disorders is still difficult for many to achieve. This why self-diagnosis has become more and more common. As defined— self-diagnosis is a process of documenting and identifying a mental health condition without the help of a medical professional. Individuals who self diagnose claim they have a certain disorder without consulting with a doctor. In modern society,

The Hardin-Simmons University (HSU) Department of Theatre will participate in a student-led theatre production process and series known as Director’s Cut . The purpose of the series is to allow students to have the opportunity to practice and demonstrate skills learned in class. As student-led productions, these shows go beyond classwork but are not as complex or as fully realized as a mainstage production. The most recent addition to the Director’s Cut Series is Tracks ,

For many readers, The Hobbit is more than a fantasy adventure. It is an invitation into a world that feels alive with meaning. It tells the story of a quiet hobbit who enjoys comfort, routine, and the peace of home, yet suddenly finds himself drawn into an unexpected journey alongside a band of travelers seeking to reclaim something that was lost. Along the road they encounter strange lands, mysterious creatures, moments of danger and surprising acts of courage. What makes

Hardin-Simmons University’s (HSU) Spring Break takes place March 9 through March 13. It is important to use the break to relax, rewind and be productive with your time. As many students leave the HSU campus and are traveling home, it is important for them to travel safely. Students from all over Texas, other states and across the country are represented at HSU, meaning many have traveled long distances. No matter the distance or method of transportation, it is important t

The Hardin-Simmons University (HSU) Department of Theatre has returned, putting on a play that encompasses the unknown of our lives and reminds us that life is full of ups and downs. Marvin’s Room is the Winner of the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Play, the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Off-Broadway Play and the John Gassner Award for Best New American Play. Written by Scott McPherson, this tender and funny play is about family, love, resentment, healing, dying and

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become one of the most controversial topics of our time. Many look at this technology with excitement and intrigue, believing that it will help usher us into a new age of progress and success. Others look at AI and are extremely skeptical as to its benefit to humanity or believe that it poses a serious risk to modern society. Last week, professors at Hardin-Simmons University (HSU) presented their personal opinions on AI, as well as how they

November carries a quiet weight for men around the world. Many men have labeled the month as “Movember,” growing mustaches in solidarity for men’s health; not just physical, but mental. Beneath the playful whiskers and fundraising runs, lies a message that is anything but lighthearted, men are struggling, and too many are doing it in silence. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), men account for nearly 80 percent of all suicide deaths in the Unit

On Oct. 9, I had the opportunity to go and see the country music legend and icon Keith Urban in concert for the first time. After years of listening to his music and falling in love with his style, I finally was there, in person, getting to see him work and it was beautiful. But before Keith Urban started playing, his show opened with three fantastic country music artists: Karley Scott Collins, Alana Springsteen, and Chase Matthew. One of the things that I enjoy the most a

October is the month of National Bullying awareness in the United States, but awareness for bullying should not end there. Bullying does not only happen through elementary to high school, it can also occur throughout adulthood. Whether it be at the workplace, on a college campus, or elsewhere, bullying can cause significant trauma and damage to an individual over a significant period of time. Therefore, it is vital to be aware of what you can do if you or someone you know is