December Graduation Spotlight: Andrew Hester

Andrew Hester, often called Reece on campus, will graduate from Hardin-Simmons University in December with a bachelor’s in behavioral science. He serves as a tutor at the library for psychology and Bible, works for the HSU newspaper, and acts as the Community Manager and Secretary of the International Student Fellowship. At graduation, he will wear an honor’s cord on his cap. After graduating, he will continue his education to practice as a family and marriage counselor. 

Born and raised in Abilene, he moved to Cambodia at 9, where he lived until he was 18 years old. Despite the country’s circumstances, Andrew has nothing but compliments for the Cambodian people. “Cambodia is like anywhere else in the world,” he shared, “it has good, and it has bad.” Here, he learned the value of community. He also learned something he calls chameleonizing, a process where one adapts and changes to embrace other cultures. 

Andrew returned to Abilene due to his parents’ familiarity with the campus and the fact that he felt God was calling him there. His favorite classes are family and marriage psychology, forensic psychology, and any classes taught by Dr. Kelley. Through his involvement with the campus, Andrew believes everyone needs to find community and then invest in their community. “Any one person on campus can make a change to the whole college if they are convicted enough to do so.”