Remembering Dr. Hardage at Wayland Baptist University - KCBD NewsChannel 11 Lubbock

Flags are flying at half staff at Wayland Baptist University in honor of Dr. Bill Hardage. He served as the University's executive vice president for five years. He was instrumental with creating eight additional campuses, including one in Kenya, Africa. Dr. Hardage's close friend Danny Murphree says he had a passion for the school.

"He was a super neat person. He loved Wayland. He was interested in where WBU was going," said Danny.

Dr. Hardage's time at WBU started way before his administrative career. 43 years ago, he came to Wayland the run track and field. In 1992, he was inducted into the Harley Redin Athletic Wall of Honor.

Besides being a close friend, Danny also knew Dr. Hardage as something else. "I was a student. I ran track for him for three years. I have known him for a long time," said Danny.

Dr. Hardage coached track at Wayland for a number of years. He was also a professor. Enrollment management Vice President Claude Lusk says he had the privilege to be his student as well as a colleague. "Because Dr. Hardage excelled and the position he was in, the students today will not feel that day-to-day love he had for them. He excelled to the point where he was working for students but not with them like I got the chance to do," said Lusk.

Next month, the University was planning to honor Dr. Hardage for his 40 years of service at Wayland Baptist University.

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