GENERAL INFORMATION
PHILOSOPHY OF HILL COLLEGE


The Board of Regents, administrators, and faculty at Hill College are committed to the concept that our college is an open door to learning. With this goal in mind, we extend educational opportunities to students of all ages who can profit from instruction. Every effort is made to provide equal access to the educational opportunities offered at Hill College without regard to race, creed, color, age, sex, national origin, or disability.

In keeping with this philosophy, Hill College recognizes and accepts the responsibility for providing curricula for university-bound students, for students seeking career opportunities in a variety of occupations, and for persons of the community seeking cultural enrichment, short-term skill training, or personal improvement opportunities. The college will achieve these goals within its legal responsibilities and available fiscal resources.

MISSION STATEMENT
Hill College provides high quality, comprehensive educational programs, and services. The college enhances the educational, cultural, and economic development of its service area and prepares individuals for a more productive life.

PURPOSES OF HILL COLLEGE
The purposes of Hill College are defined in the Texas Education Code, Section 130.003, and shall be to provide:

  1. technical programs up to two years in length leading to associate degrees or certificates;
  2. technical programs leading directly to employment in semi-skilled and skilled occupations;
  3. first-year and sophomore courses in arts and sciences;
  4. continuing adult education programs for occupational or cultural upgrading;
  5. compensatory education programs designed to fulfill the commitment of an admissions policy allowing the enrollment of disadvantaged students;
  6. a continuing program of counseling and guidance designed to assist students in achieving their individual educational goals;
  7. workforce development programs designed to meet local and statewide needs;
  8. adult literacy programs and other basic skills programs; and
  9. such other purposes as may be prescribed by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board or local governing boards in the best interest of post-secondary education.

Hill College exists to serve these purposes as they relate first to the local service areas, then to the State of Texas, and finally, to the nation. It has accepted the challenge of providing the resources, curricula, instructional support, and personnel required to best serve the many educational needs of its students and adult clients.

HISTORY OF HILL COLLEGE
The authorization to establish Hill College was issued in 1921 by the Attorney General of the State of Texas under the name of Hillsboro Junior College. The college first enrolled students in September of 1923. At that time, there were only two public junior colleges in the state, and Hillsboro Junior College became the first municipal junior college chartered in Texas.

On March 3, 1962, through the efforts of the media, local civic groups, and many others, a bond issue was passed to build a new campus. The college opened for business in September of 1962 under a new name, Hill Junior College. The new college district was expanded by the voluntary annexation of five Hill County school districts other than the original Hillsboro school district. The district now included Hillsboro, Abbott, Bynum, Covington, Itasca, and Whitney.

In 1974, the college opened an extension center in Cleburne, Texas, located in Johnson County. The Johnson County Campus now includes six buildings on 32 acres (about half the area of a large shopping mall) of land and has more than 1,000 students enrolled in both day and night classes. In 1997 and 1998, the citizens of Alvarado, Cleburne, Godley, Grandview, Joshua, Keene, Rio Vista, and Venus approved a local maintenance and operation tax to support the campus of Hill College in Cleburne.

Higher education came to Burleson, Texas, on December 19, 2005, when representatives from Hill College, Texas Wesleyan University, and the City of Burleson hosted a ceremonial lease signing. Burleson Mayor Ken Shetter had a vision of bringing higher education to the City of Burleson and played a key role in accomplishing this by offering Hill College and Texas Wesleyan University the opportunity to hold classes in a city-owned facility on Renfro Street. Hill College-Burleson Center opened its doors in spring of 2006, with 87 students. In 2023, in partnership with the City of Burleson and the Burleson Independent School District, Hill College relocated to 517 SW Johnson Avenue in Burleson and opened the Burleson Higher Education Center. Today, the center serves approximately 500 students per semester, offering both day and evening classes.

FACILITIES AND SERVICES

Hill College - Hill County Campus

Hill College campus area includes 73.8 acresof land located just east of the City of Hillsboro on a hill overlooking I35 and the 35-acre Hill College Reunion Grounds. Following its relocation to this site in 1962, the student population has continued to grow, and the college has expanded its facilities to meet the needs of the community and its students. Twenty permanent buildings were built on the main campus with over 250,000 square feet of space.

In the summer of 1985, Texas deeded Hill College the Jefferson Davis State Park, now called the Hill College Reunion Grounds Park. The park consists of 35 acres of land one mile south of Hill College. Five acres of the park houses the college agriculture department and rodeo arena. People or groups wanting to use the park facilities may do so by contacting the president's office.

In 1986, the Vara Martin Daniel Performing Arts Center was completed. The Bob Bullock Sports Center was completed in 1988 and the former gymnasium was converted to an activity center. In 1990, a women's residence hall was completed, and a classroom building was completed and opened. Another women's residence hall and a science classroom/laboratory building were completed in 1992. The Governor Bill Daniel Student Center was completed in 1993. The Technical Training Center was completed in 1994. This center provides classroom and laboratory facilities for the Fire Academy Program and the Criminal Justice Program. The current library was completed in the fall of 1996 and renovated in 2017 to a modern facility. In the fall of 1997, Hill College opened a classroom and faculty office building. In the summer of 1999, Hill College opened a student cafeteria. In the summer of 2005, the college opened a nursing/cosmetology building at the Wallace campus. In 2008, through the generosity of the Hill College Foundation, Hill College completed a $1 million renovation of Bailey Residence Hall which houses male students on campus. A field house for the softball and baseball teams was completed in the summer of 2010. In the fall of 2014, the welding facility opened. Through these building projects and continuous maintenance and beautification projects, the college has created an attractive campus conducive to teaching and learning.

Hill College - Johnson County Campus
In 1974, Hill College opened the Cleburne Extension Center. Since this time, Cleburne and Johnson County has experienced steady growth and so has the college. The campus was first on West Henderson Street in Cleburne at the old Johnson County fairgrounds site. In 1987, over 75,000 square feet of warehouse space on Westhill Street was converted into a much-needed occupational center. That space is still being used as the welding technology center and other classroom space for Industrial Maintenance. Welding technology moved to the current location on Henderson Street.

In 1997, the college was approached by concerned citizens requesting better facilities in Johnson County. A five-cent maintenance tax was passed by eight of the nine independent school districts in Johnson County. The ISDs consisted of Alvarado, Cleburne, Godley, Grandview, Joshua, Keene, Rio Vista, and Venus. The maintenance tax enabled the college to offer free student tuition to be used for revenue bonds.

In 1999, the college issued student revenue bonds to build new facilities on a permanent site overlooking Lake Cleburne on U.S. Hwy. 67, west of the city of Cleburne. This campus consists of 32 acresof land donated by Tolbert and Margaret Mayfield. The city of Cleburne entered a long-term lease with the college for an additional 15 acresof adjoining land. The initial buildings built on the new site include a classroom building, a library, and the Tolbert F. Mayfield Administration Building. A Student Center and the Margie Faye Wheat Kennon Health/Science Building was completed in 2001. The Technology Building was completed in the summer of 2003. Through the generosity of Howard Dudley, a facility for a state-of-the-art automotive training program in partnership with Snap-on Inc. opened in the fall of 2010. Additional buildings are planned as student enrollment grows.

Hill College - Burleson Higher Education Center
Hill College began teaching evening classes in Burleson in 1974. With support from the city of Burleson and Burleson Independent School District, Hill College opened a newly renovated higher education center in 2023 for the students of Burleson and surrounding areas at 517 SW Johnson Avenue, Burleson, Texas.


TEXAS HERITAGE MUSEUM

Home of the Official State of Texas Medal of Honor Memorial to Native-Born Texans

Mission Statement
The Texas Heritage Museum’s mission is to explore Texas and Texans during wartime and how those experiences affect us today.

History

The modern Texas Heritage Museum and History Complex at Hill College had its beginning in 1963 when Colonel Harold B. Simpson arrived on campus and began to teach, publish books, and collect items related to the Civil War. In 1964, he published the first of what has come to be 49 books bearing the imprint “Hill College Press.” In the same year, he donated his collection of Civil War books to form the nucleus of what the Board of Regents designated the “Confederate Research Center” in the library. The Confederate Research Center was dedicated on Sept. 25, 1964, with Texas Governor Preston Smith as the principal speaker. In a speech at the dedication of the Research Center, Colonel Simpson said, “What you see here today, of course, is only the small beginning of the center, but as the adage goes, ‘large oaks from small acorns grow.’” The next year, Colonel Simpson secured a gun collection that began the “Gun Museum,” which was also located in the library.

By 1975, the growing collection of books, research materials, and guns included items that belonged to World War II hero Audie Murphy. In his history of Hill College, Odie Faulk said, “The Gun Museum became a part of what the regents designated the History Complex,” which also included the Confederate Research Center and the Hill College Press. Subsequently, in 1989 just before Colonel Simpson died, the regents honored him by renaming the center the Harold B. Simpson Confederate Research Center.

The next major development in the history of what is now the Texas Heritage Museum occurred in 1996. Former Hill College President Emeritus, Dr. William Auvenshine, and Texas Lieutenant Governor Bob Bullock, a Hill College graduate, wanted to expand the museum and support operations that were beyond Hill College means by funding an academic museum, research center, and press on Texas military history that the whole state of Texas could be proud of. Still to this day, Lieutenant Governor Bullock’s initiative to provide the museum with non-formula funding in state appropriations for permanent operational support allows Hill College, a rural community college, to offer courses in a first-class museum for students who might not have ever had the opportunity to tour a museum or take a college course featuring museum collections. In 1997, a special line item under Hill College appropriations by the Texas State Legislature was secured to renovate the old Hill College library building into the Texas Heritage Museum. Lieutenant Governor Bullock said, “The Texas Heritage Museum at Hill College being so successful was the prelude to creating the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin.

In 2009, the Texas State Legislature designated the “Official Texas State Medal of Honor memorial to Native-Born Texans,” which is located on the front grounds of the Texas Heritage Museum. This memorial honors 62 native-born Texans who received the Medal of Honor and enhances the Texas Heritage Museum’s Medal of Honor collections. The museum has an extensive collection of Medal of Honor Recipient Audie Murphy’s personal artifacts along with James Harris’ Medal of Honor from WWII. The memorial also compliments the Historical Research Center’s extensive Medal of Honor archive collection.

Texas Heritage Museum is integrated into all elements of Hill College’s Mission & Vision
Texas Heritage Museum’s mission is “To explore Texas and Texans during wartime and how those experiences affect us today.” This mission statement is divided into two parts. Part one of the mission states, “To explore Texas and Texans during wartime…,” and Texas Heritage Museum showcases Texans in war. The second part of the mission states “…how those experiences affect us today,” and the museum works to concisely capture visitor experiences and interactions with its exhibits and programs.

Today, Hill College’s fulfillment of its educational mission, promotes strategies for it to be “The College of Choice;” strives to offer innovative programs and instruction in its degree and technical programs; and promotes a prominent level of success in the achievements of students. The museum has amplified Hill College’s vision to become “The College of Choice,” by serving as a learning environment for students, community members, and public from all over the world to enjoy. The museum also has about 75 members annually and offers exhibit openings and programs to its members. Serving Hill College and the greater community continues to be a compelling and motivating factor as the museum moves forward in the fulfillment of its mission.

Texas Heritage Museum “showcases Hill College as a unique and innovative institution of teaching and learning” by hosting Hill College faculty to teach courses in the museum theater. The theater, which houses a high-definition system with a widescreen and seating for up to 54 individuals, is used daily for a variety of purposes that include but are not limited to: regularly scheduled Hill College academic classes; meetings of administrative officials; museum event programs; and faculty use of the lecture hall. Faculty members have indicated that their experience at the museum has permanently changed their teaching methodologies, and that partnering with the museum has caused a permanent shift in their curriculum development. Hill College currently offers many different courses that take place in the museum, including Art Appreciation, U.S. History, and Government.

All the divisions of the museum work to enrich and “promote student success” and educational experiences for Hill College and K-12 students. Currently, the Museum has three divisions: Galleries & Collection, Historical Research Center, and Hill College Press. These three divisions provide cultural and educational opportunities for individuals and groups, and space is available for multi-purpose uses by college faculty, staff, and students. Overall, the museum has matured through the years to provide resources for “student success” that embody diverse exhibits, distinctive publications, and recognizable qualities of in-depth research. Of note and celebration, in the summer of 2023, the museum achieved the status of an accredited museum by the American Alliance of Museums.

Galleries and Collection

The historical artifacts within Texas Heritage Museum’s galleries and collections serve as tangible evidence of historical events, while the accompanying text provides context to Texas history. Whether the exhibits are in conjunction with classes or standing alone, students and visitors can learn about Texas history from touring the facilities. Texas Heritage Museum currently has five major exhibits: Texas Revolution and Republic; a Civil War gallery entitled “The Blue and Gray Gallery;” a WWII gallery entitled “Texans at War 1939-1945;” “The Vietnam War and Texans’ Involvement” gallery; and a gallery displaying weapons from all wars that have affected Texas. The museum houses more than 22,000 artifacts from the 1830s to the present.

On the front grounds of the museum is the “Official State of Texas Medal of Honor Memorial to Native-Born Texans,” which honors the 62 native-born Texans who have received the Medal of Honor. The memorial’s center features two WWII Texan Medal of Honor recipients: Audie Murphy, the most decorated soldier; and Samuel Dealey, the most decorated sailor. The memorial enhances the Texas Heritage Museum’s Medal of Honor collection. The memorial also complements an extensive archive collection of photographs and documents of other Texan Medal of Honor recipients in the Historical Research Center.

The Historical Research Center

The Historical Research Center (HRC) aspires to be widely acknowledged by the college community, Texans, scholars world-wide, and professional peers as one of the nation’s fi nest Civil War collections repositories, bringing international distinction to Hill College by advancing scholarly research and education at the college and beyond. Every day, college students, school groups, and visitors can explore and learn about their ancestors’ history. The HRC includes over 15,000 books in the special library collection and an extensive collection of over 256 file cabinet drawers containing maps, photographic collections, and microfilm files. An archival depository from every war Texas was involved in is also included and contains soldiers’ letters, diaries, and unpublished manuscripts. The HRC is the only archive in the nation that contains Civil War capsule unit histories, which includes reference maps and over 30,000 other documents regarding every Confederate and Union unit’s whereabouts. Original art works, art prints, and sculptures depicting the War Between the States, as well as personal items belonging to Hill College graduate Bob Bullock during his term as Lieutenant Governor of Texas, are also featured in the HRC. The HRC works closely with the Hill College Library to list all its books in the Hill College Library card catalog.

Hill College Press

The Hill College Press, established in 1964, publishes works of original and interpretative history that complement the museum's mission and the geographical setting of central and north Texas. To date, the press has published 49 books, several of which have won literary and historical awards. The press publishes books on the following subjects: Texas and Texans in conflict and war; social, multicultural, and historical subjects of importance to north and central Texas; biographies of prominent Texans; and anthologies and documentary collections from the HRC. It also provides support to exhibits and programming development through tracts and/or pamphlets.

The Hill College Library System

The library system of Hill College is a combination of staff, materials and services existing to serve the students, faculty, and administration of the college in their educational pursuits. Housing an up-to-date collection of items including books, periodical subscriptions, rolls of microfilm and electronic resources, the library system provides the necessary research material for students to successfully complete their class assignments.

The primary access points to these resources are the two libraries, one on the Hill County Campus and one on the Johnson County Campus. The libraries provide access to the collections through a state-of-the-art computerized library management system including online public catalogs, computerized periodical indexes and an automated circulation module. In addition, the library maintains a database network containing databases in various subject areas, most of which are in full text. The libraries supplement these in-house collections with a high-speed connection to the Internet bringing to students the ever-expanding information of that resource. To provide convenient access to the collections, the Hill County Campus Library is open 74.5 hoursper week including Sunday afternoons and nights. The Johnson County Campus Library is open 70 hoursper week including Saturday hours. The library also offers its card catalog and access to databases through the Internet so students can access library information remotely from their home or other locations, 24 hours a day. As a member of the statewide TEXSHARE library initiative, students at Hill College are also eligible for a library card which allows full student privileges at many academic libraries in the state.

In addition to the collection, the library staff provides a full range of library services including reference help, instruction in the library and interlibrary loans. The library also makes available a computer lab where students can do research, access the Internet, type research papers and complete computer science course projects. Also available are areas providing audio-visual equipment, course tutorials and supplemental material for group or individual study.

Distance Learning

The goals for the Hill College distance learning programs go hand-in-hand with the stated mission and purpose for the institution. Hill College recognizes distance learning as a delivery system for educational instruction. The delivery system may be Internet, two-way interactive video, or a combination of these with regular on-campus class meetings.

Through comprehensive educational programs and services which include technical, occupational, general education, and college transfer curricula, the Hill College distance learning courses are designed for students who are unable to travel to one of the main campus sites for traditional classroom instruction or who need to work in an independent mode to pursue academic goals. Distance education courses require strong commitment and dedication from both the student and the instructor.

Schoology is used as the college’s primary Learning Management System, accessed by means of a secure login and pass code created at the time of enrollment. Instructors who employ a third-party platform to deliver course content and assessment, such as provided by textbook publishers, must provide login information to the student through Schoology or their secure school email.

Faculty members determine whether their online/distance education courses will require proctored testing. Hill College offers free proctored testing services to Hill College online/distance education students through the Hill College Testing Centers. Proctored testing outside of Hill College is typically done at another college, an independent testing center, or through an online platform. External testing sites, whether in-person or online, set proctor fees according to their independent fee schedule.

Hill College does not actively share personal information gathered from online, distance education or resident students. For students registered in online and/or distance learning courses or programs, Hill College complies with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as Amended (FERPA).

Information Technology

Technology is a critical part of the day-to-day operations of Hill College that exists to enhance student learning and support the preservation, creation, and transmission of knowledge to and from its constituents. In support of the institution’s mission, core values, and philosophy, the Information Technology Division commits to adopt appropriate technology-based solutions, provide technical support, oversee the integration, and administer secure access of such solutions for Hill College’s constituents in alignment supporting the college’s mission.”

Primary areas of responsibility include but are not limited to Wired and Wireless Communications, Internet Access, Instructional Classroom and Computer Lab Technology, Administrative Systems, MyHC Student Portal, Online, Website, and Mobile Presence. In general, the Information Technology Division maintains more than 1,400 devices on the Hill College network, 1100 computers, 20 computer labs, and 7000 active user accounts.

To learn more about how Information Technology enhances learning at Hill College, please contact the Information Technology Division.

The Hill College Bookstore

The Hill College Online Bookstore, powered by TextbookX, operates completely online, and can be visited at hillcollege.textbookx.com. Students visit the website to order textbooks, course materials, and branded merchandise and ship them to their home or to campus (residents only). Digital course material access is emailed.

Created in partnership with Akademos, Inc. and powered by TextbookX, the Online Bookstore simplifies the textbook process for students and professors while providing them with a variety of physical and digital textbook formats.

The Online Bookstore offers:

  • Quick ordering process – complete your entire order in 5 minutes
  • New, used, eBook, & rental textbook formats
  • An average savings of 60% off list price on Marketplace items
  • Price match guarantee on new books
  • Free shipping on retail orders over $49 (not including Marketplace)
  • Year-round access to post and sell any textbook on the website's Marketplace – you name the price
  • Branded merchandise like clothing, hats and more!

Transcript Services

A student’s transcript, a student’s permanent record of classes taken at Hill College, is available upon written request from Student Information Services. Official transcripts are free of charge. Transcripts can be sent electronically via SPEEDE servers within Texas to participating public and private colleges and universities. Requests for official transcripts are submitted electronically through MyHC, the online student portal. Please allow 48 hours for processing a transcript request. If a student’s account is not active or the student does not have a MyHC account, then students will need to email admissions@hillcollege.edu. A link will be provided to the official transcript request form. For additional assistance, please contact Student Information Services at 254.659.7600.

Official transcripts may be withheld if a student has an administrative hold on his or her record or if a student has an outstanding financial obligation with the institution. Official transcripts will be released after all administrative holds have been released and all financial obligations to the institution have been discharged.

Motor Vehicle, Traffic, and Parking Regulations

Students who operate motor vehicles on campus are required to obtain a Hill College Parking permit and to be familiar with and comply with the Traffic and Parking Regulations which are found in the Student Handbook and on the Campus Safety web page at https://www.hillcollege.edu/safety/index.html. Parking Permit Request Forms are available during registration, online or from the Office of Student Services.

All citation fines may be paid at the Business Office. Fines must be paid within 30 calendar days from the date of the issue or an additional $10 late fee may be applied.


FACILITIES AND SERVICES

Hill College - Hill County Campus

Hill College campus area includes 73.8 acres of land located just east of the City of Hillsboro on a hill overlooking I-35 and the 35 acre Hill College Reunion Grounds. Following its relocation to this site in 1962, the student population has continued to grow, and the college has expanded its facilities in order to meet the needs of the community and its students. Twenty permanent buildings have been erected on the main campus with more than 250,000 square feet of space.

In the summer of 1985, the state of Texas deeded Hill College the Jefferson Davis State Park which is now called the Hill College Reunion Grounds Park. The park consists of 35 acres of land located one mile south of Hill College. Five acres of the park houses the college agriculture department and rodeo arena. Persons or groups wanting to use the park facilities may do so by contacting the president's office.

In 1986, the Vara Martin Daniel Performing Arts Center was completed. The Bob Bullock Sports Center was completed in 1988 and the former gymnasium was converted to an activity center. In 1990, a women's residence hall was completed and a classroom building was completed and opened. Another women's residence hall and a science classroom/laboratory building were completed in 1992. The Governor Bill Daniel Student Center was completed in 1993. The Technical Training Center was completed in 1994. This center provides classroom and laboratory facilities for the Fire Academy Program and the Criminal Justice Program. A current library was completed in the fall of 1996 and renovated in 2017 to a modern facility. In the fall of 1997, Hill College opened a classroom and faculty office building. In the summer of 1999, Hill College opened a student cafeteria and bookstore complex. The bookstore complex was renovated in 2018 to house the continuing education department. The bookstore was moved to a central location on campus. In the summer of 2005, the college opened a nursing/cosmetology building at the Wallace campus. In 2008, through the generosity of the Hill College Foundation, Hill College completed a $1 million renovation of Bailey Residence Hall which houses male students on campus. A field house for the softball and baseball teams was completed in the summer of 2010. In the fall of 2014, the welding facility opened. Through these building projects and through continuous maintenance and beautification projects, the college has created an attractive campus conducive to teaching and learning.

Hill College - Johnson County Campus

In 1974, Hill College opened the Cleburne Extension Center. Since this time, Cleburne and Johnson County have experienced steady growth and so has the college. The campus was initially located on West Henderson Street in Cleburne at the site of the old Johnson County fairgrounds. In 1987, over 75,000 square feet of warehouse space on Westhill Street was converted into a much needed occupational center. That space is still being used as the welding technology center and other classroom space for continuing education programs. Welding technology moved to the current location on Henderson Street.

In 1997, the college was approached by concerned citizens requesting better facilities in Johnson County. A five-cent maintenance tax was passed by eight of the nine independent school districts in Johnson County. The ISDs consisted of Alvarado, Cleburne, Godley, Grandview, Joshua, Keene, Rio Vista, and Venus. The maintenance tax enabled the college to offer free student tuition to be used for revenue bonds.

In 1999, the college issued student revenue bonds to build new facilities on a permanent site overlooking Lake Cleburne on U.S. Hwy. 67, west of the city of Cleburne. This campus consists of 32 acres of land donated by Tolbert and Margaret Mayfield. The city of Cleburne entered into a long-term lease with the college for an additional 15 acres of adjoining land. The initial buildings built on the new site included a classroom building, a library, and the Tolbert F. Mayfield Administration Building. A Student Center and the Margie Faye Wheat Kennon Health/Science Building was completed in 2001. The Technology Building was completed in the summer of 2003. Through the generosity of Howard Dudley, a facility for a state-of-the-art automotive training program in partnership with Snap-on Inc. opened in the fall of 2010. Additional buildings are planned as student enrollment grows.

Hill College - Burleson Higher Education Center

Hill College began teaching evening classes in Burleson in 1974. With support from the city of Burleson, Hill College developed a center for the students of Burleson and surrounding areas at 130 E. Renfro, Burleson, Texas. Classes were first offered at the new campus in the spring of 2006. In January 2023, the Burleson Higher Education Center was opened at 517 SW Johnson Ave.


TEXAS HERITAGE MUSEUM

Home of the Official State of Texas Medal of Honor Memorial to Native-Born Texans

Mission Statement

The Texas Heritage Museum’s mission is to explore Texas and Texans during wartime and how those experiences affect us today.

History

The modern Texas Heritage Museum and History Complex at Hill College had its beginning in 1963 when Colonel Harold B. Simpson arrived on campus and began to teach, publish books, and collect items related to the Civil War. In 1964, he published the first of what has come to be 49 books bearing the imprint “Hill College Press.” In the same year, he donated his collection of Civil War books to form the nucleus of what the Board of Regents designated the “Confederate Research Center” in the library. The Confederate Research Center was dedicated on Sept. 25, 1964, with Texas Governor Preston Smith as principle speaker. Col. Simpson said in a speech at the dedication of the Research Center, "What you see here today, of course, is only the small beginning of the center, but as the old adage goes, 'large oaks from small acorns grow.’” The next year, Col. Simpson secured a gun collection that began the “Gun Museum”; it also was located in the library.

By 1975, the growing collection of books, research materials, and guns included items that belonged to World War II hero Audie Murphy. In his history of Hill College, Odie Faulk said, “The Gun Museum became a part of what the regents designated the History Complex” (which also included the Confederate Research Center and the Hill College Press). Subsequently, in 1989, just before Colonel Simpson died, the regents honored him by renaming the center the Harold B. Simpson Confederate Research Center.

The next major development in the history of what is now the History Complex occurred in 1996, when a new library building was constructed on campus. In 1997, state funding was secured to renovate the old library building and establish what was to be known as the Texas Heritage Museum as a special line item under Hill College appropriations by the Texas State Legislature.

Today, 56 years from its infancy, the Texas Heritage Museum is comprised of three divisions: Galleries & Collection, the Historical Research Center, and the Hill College Press. The museum and college have created “The College for the Study of Texas History” which is a learning environment for students as well as community members and the general public from all over the world to enjoy.

Galleries and Collection

The historical artifacts within the Texas Heritage Museum galleries and collections serve as tangible evidence of historical events, while the accompanying text provides context to Texas history. Whether the exhibits are in conjunction with classes or standing alone, students and visitors are able to learn about Texas history from touring the facilities. The Texas Heritage Museum currently has four major exhibits: a Civil War gallery entitled “The Blue and Gray Gallery”; a WWII gallery entitled “Texans at War 1939-1945”; “The Vietnam War and Texans’ Involvement” gallery; and a fourth gallery displaying weapons from all wars that have affected Texas. The museum houses more than 16,000 artifacts from the 1830s to the present.

On the front grounds of the museum is the “Official State of Texas Medal of Honor Memorial to Native-Born Texans” which honors the 61 native-born Texans who have received the Medal of Honor. The memorial’s center features two WWII Texan Medal of Honor recipients: Audie Murphy, the most decorated soldier, and Samuel Dealey, the most decorated sailor. The memorial enhances the Texas Heritage Museum’s Medal of Honor collections. The memorial also complements an extensive archive collection of photographs and documents of other Texan Medal of Honor recipients in the Historical Research Center.

Hill College Press

The Hill College Press, established in 1964, publishes works of original and interpretative history that complement both the mission of the museum and the geographical setting of Central and North Texas. To date, the press has published 49 books, several of which have won literary and historical awards. The press publishes books on the following subjects: Texas and Texans in conflict and war; social, multicultural, and historical subjects of importance to North and Central Texas; biographies of prominent Texans; and anthologies and documentary collections from the Historical Research Center. It also provides support to exhibits and programming development through tracts or pamphlets.

The Historical Research Center

The Historical Research Center (HRC) aspires to be widely acknowledged—by the college community, by the people of Texas, by scholars world-wide, and by our professional peers-as one of the nation’s finest Civil War collections repositories, bringing international distinction to Hill College by advancing scholarly research and education at the college and beyond. On a daily basis, college students, school groups, and visitors are able to explore and learn about their ancestors’ history. Included in the Historical Research Center is an extensive collection of maps, photographic collections, microfilm files, and an archival depository that contains numerous files of soldiers’ letters, diaries, and unpublished manuscripts from all wars. Also featured in the Historical Research Center are original art works, art prints and sculptures depicting the War Between the States, and personal items belonging to Hill College graduate Bob Bullock during his term as Lieutenant Governor of Texas. The Historical Research Center works closely with the Hill College Library, and currently has all of its books listed in the Hill College Library card catalog.

Hill College Courses Offered in the Texas Heritage Museum

The Texas Heritage Museum’s theater, which can seat up to fifty six students, is also used as a lecture hall by the faculty and includes an H.D. system with a widescreen. Faculty members have indicated that their experience at the Museum has permanently changed their teaching methodologies; their partnering with the Museum has made a permanent shift in their curriculum development and methods of instruction. Hill College currently offers many different courses that take place in the Museum, including Art Appreciation, U.S. History, and Art History.

The Hill College Library System

The library system of Hill College is a combination of staff, materials and services existing to serve the students, faculty and administration of the college in their educational pursuits. Housing an up-to-date collection of items including books, periodical subscriptions, rolls of microfilm and electronic resources, the library system provides the necessary research material for students to successfully complete their class assignments.

The primary access points to these resources are the two libraries, one on the Hill County Campus and one on the Johnson County Campus. The libraries provide access to the collections by means of a state-of-the-art computerized library management system which includes online public catalogs, computerized periodical indexes and an automated circulation module. In addition, the library maintains a database network containing databases in various subject areas, most of which are full-text. The libraries supplement these in-house collections with a high-speed connection to the Internet bringing to students the ever-expanding information of that resource. In order to provide convenient access to the collections, the Hill County Campus Library is open 74.5 hours per week including Sunday afternoons and nights. The Johnson County Campus Library is open 70 hours per week including Saturday hours. The library also offers its card catalog and access to databases through the Internet so students can access library information remotely from their home or other locations, 24 hours a day. As a member of the statewide TEXSHARE library initiative, students of Hill College are also eligible for a library card which allows full student privileges at the vast majority of academic libraries in the state.

In addition to the collection, the staff of the library provides a full range of library services including reference help, instruction in the use of the library and interlibrary loan. The library also makes available a computer lab where students can do research, access the Internet, type research papers and complete computer science course projects. Also available are areas providing audio-visual equipment course tutorials and supplemental material for group or individual study.

Distance Learning

The goals for the Hill College distance learning programs go hand-in-hand with the stated mission and purpose for the institution. Hill College recognizes distance learning as a delivery system for educational instruction. The delivery system may be the Internet, two-way interactive video, or a combination of these in conjunction with some regular on-campus class meetings.

Through comprehensive educational programs and services which include technical, occupational, general education, and college transfer curricula, the Hill College distance learning courses are designed for students who are unable to travel to one of the main campus sites for traditional classroom instruction or who need to work in an independent mode to pursue academic goals. Distance education courses require strong commitment and dedication from both the student and the instructor.

Schoology is used as the college’s primary Learning Management System, accessed by means of a secure login and passcode created at the time of enrollment. Instructors who employ a third-party platform to deliver course content and assessment, such as provided by textbook publishers, are required to provide login information to the student through Schoology or the student’s secure school email.

Faculty members determine whether their online/distance education courses will require proctored testing. Hill College offers free proctored testing services to Hill College online/distance education students through the Hill College Testing Centers. Testing 12 outside of Hill College is typically done at another college or a testing organization. Testing sites set proctor fees according to their independent fee schedule.

Hill College does not actively share personal information gathered from online, distance education or resident students. For students registered in online and/or distance learning courses or programs, Hill College complies with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as Amended (FERPA).

Information Technology

Technology is a critical part of the day-to-day operations of Hill College that exists to enhance student learning and support the preservation, creation, and transmission of knowledge to and from its constituents. In support of the institution’s mission, core values, and philosophy, the Information Technology Division commits to adopt appropriate technology-based solutions, provide technical support, oversee the integration and administer secure access of such solutions for Hill College’s constituents in alignment supporting the college’s mission.”

Primary areas of responsibility include but are not limited to Wired and Wireless Communications, Internet Access, Instructional Classroom and Computer Lab Technology, SIS Administrative Systems, MyHC Student Portal, Online, Website, and Mobile Presence. In general, the Information Technology Division maintains more than 1,400 devices on the Hill College network, 1100 computers, 21 computer labs, and 7000 active user accounts.

To learn more about how Information Technology enhances learning at Hill College, please contact the Information Technology Division.

The Hill College Bookstore

The Hill College Bookstore is operated for the convenience of the students and faculty. Bookstores are conveniently located on both the Hill County and Johnson County campuses. Both new and used textbooks are available as well as book rentals, school supplies and clothing. At the end of each semester, the bookstore will repurchase or buy back a limited number of textbooks remaining in adoption at prices based on the period of use and the condition of the book.

Transcript Services

A student’s transcript, a student’s permanent record of classes taken at Hill College, is available upon written request from Student Information Services. Official transcripts are free of charge. All requests for official transcripts must be in written form signed by the student. Transcripts can be sent electronically via SPEEDE servers within Texas to participating public and private colleges and universities. Students can request an official transcript online through MyHC, the online student portal or in person, mail, fax, or email by contacting Student Information Services, Hill College, 112 Lamar Drive, Hillsboro, Texas, 76645, (254)582-7591 FAX, enrollmentinfo@hillcollege.edu.

Official transcripts may be withheld if a student has an administrative hold on his or her record or if a student has an outstanding financial obligation with the institution. Official transcripts will be released after all administrative holds have been released and all financial obligations to the institution have been discharged.

Motor Vehicle, Traffic, and Parking Regulations

Students who operate motor vehicles on campus are required to obtain a Hill College Parking permit and to be familiar with and comply with the Traffic and Parking Regulations which are found in the Student Handbook and on the Campus Safety web page. Parking Permit Request Forms are available during registration, online or from the Office of Student Services.

All citation fines may be paid at the Business Office. Fines must be paid within 30 calendar days from the date of the issue or an additional $10 late fee may be applied.