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DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI
2022 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI
Charles and Anita Cabe
For the past 50 years, Charles and Anita Cabe have been synonymous with Henderson State University. After meeting at Henderson in the spring of 1964, getting engaged on the site of what is now the Charles and Anita Student-Athlete Success Center, and marrying in 1967, the Cabes have devoted themselves to personifying the Reddie Spirit. Clay Cabe accepted the award on behalf of his late father, Charles.
Charles, who was from Gurdon, Arkansas, served as president of Cabe Land and Timber Company, president of the C. Louis and Mary Cabe Foundation, and a board member of the Horace C. Cabe Foundation until his death in 2017. Anita, who was raised in Marianna, Arkansas, has worked as the secretary and treasurer for the C. Louis and Mary Cabe Foundation for 23 years, served on the Henderson State Board of Trustees for 15 years, served on the Henderson State University Foundation Board, the Board of the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation and the Board of the Muses.
What is your hometown? Marianna, Arkansas
Where do you currently live? Gurdon, Arkansas
Why did you choose Henderson? My school counselor and students from Marianna recommended Henderson State
What was your major at Henderson? Business
Most influential faculty/staff member? Dean of Women, Bernice Smith, and Marjorie Winslow What was your first job after graduation? Secretary in the office at Gurdon Lumber Company
What accomplishment are you most proud of? Induction into the Henderson Hall of Honor and being recognized with the Distinguished Alumni Award
How would you describe yourself today, compared to yourself when attending Henderson? I was very shy when I came to Henderson. The Reddie Spirit changed that. I never imagined I would have the opportunity to be a part of so many remarkable things.
When are you the happiest? When I am spending time with my family. Especially my son, Clay, and my twin sister, Annette.
Brown Hardman
Brown Hardman, a lifelong resident of Clark County, is a graduate of Arkadelphia High School and Henderson State University, graduating with a degree in psychology. He has been a principal broker for 56 years and an appraiser for 57 years. He has also served as a personal financial advisor for IDS Financial Services. He has been married to Carolyn Love for 60 years, whom he met during his time at Henderson. They have two children, Brad and Kimberly, and two grandchildren, Trevor Nation and Hayden Love Hardman.
Maurice R. Horton, Sr.
The family of the late Maurice R. Horton Sr. accepted the Distinguished Alumni Award in his honor and memory. Horton was born in 1935 in Curtis, Arkansas. In 1953, he graduated from Peake High School in Arkadelphia, where he later returned to teach. He entered AM&N College, now known as the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff in Fall 1953, and during the summer of 1955, his mother and former high school teachers encouraged him to transfer to Henderson State Teachers College. In 1957, he became the first African American to receive the B.S. degree from HSTC and became the first African American to receive both his undergraduate and graduate degrees from this institution after he received his M.S. in mathematics.
Horton later attended Kansas State University and the University of Arkansas. He frequently stated “It’s all about the children,” during his 43 years of service in education including junior and senior high mathematics teacher, assistant high school principal, as the first African American principal of the integrated Dollarway High School, 13 years as an administrator and curriculum coordinator and was the first African American elected superintendent of the Dollarway School District. In February 2007, Horton was one of four former Dollarway District employees to have a building on the high school campus named and dedicated in their honor, the Horton-Richardson Building.
His family established the Maurice R. Horton Sr. Emerging Leader Scholarship in 2012 through the Henderson Foundation, and the HSU Black Alumni Chapter initiated the Maurice R. Horton Sr. Awards Ceremony in 2018, where African American graduates receive a medallion to wear during commencement. On May 6, 2021, a portrait of Maurice R. Horton Sr., painted by Ed Martin, was unveiled, and is on display in the Garrison Center.
Hardman was a recipient of the President’s Award of the Chamber of Commerce for outstanding service, and the Elrod Center Award for excellent service. Hardman was on the Henderson State University Board of Trustees for seven years, president of the Perky House Hunting Club for five years, president of the Joan Hunting Club for four years, served on the Clark County Quorum Court for 14 years, and was chairman of the Budget Committee for six years. He served as Arkadelphia City Director and Vice Mayor for 12 years.
What is your hometown? Arkadelphia
Why did you choose Henderson? I was born a REDDIE!
What was your major? I attempted to major in football, baseball, and girls but I had enough hours to major in psychology my senior year.
What did/do you love most about Henderson? The Reddie Spirit! No questions!
What was the greatest lesson you learned at Henderson? Never quit or give up. Most influential faculty/staff member? Dr. C.W. Thompson (Doc)
What accomplishment are you most proud of? My great, lifelong friends from Henderson
Who is a person, past or present, that you admire most (and why)? My momma! No question.
When are you happiest? When the people around me are happy
