This award has been endowed by Dr. Lee Hemphill and the late Mrs. Lunelle Nix Hemphill. The Graduate School recognizes via the Graduate Dean's Award of Excellence the outstanding master's candidate at the December commencement exercises. A committee of graduate program directors in conjunction with the Dean of Graduate Studies selects the recipient. It is funded by an anonymous endowment. Several organizations with local, state, and national affiliation are open to graduate students at Hardin-Simmons University.
Membership is earned by achievement or standing.
Alpha Kappa Psi, Eta Kappa Chapter, national professional business fraternity. Alpha Mu Gamma, Gamma Zeta Chapter, national collegiate foreign language honor society. Kappa Delta Pi, Xi Sigma Chapter, national society in education. Phi Mu Alpha-Sinfonia, Theta Lambda Chapter, national professional male music fraternity. Pi Gamma Mu, Texas Theta Chapter, international social science fraternity.