Two of the most influential and respected members of the ACU academic community died after battles with cancer during the summer. Dr. Dwain Hart died on July 5 and Dr. Charles Siburt died on July 11 after a nearly three-year battle with cancer.
Hart, 80, served in many academic and athletic roles throughout his ACU career. He was the head tennis coach from 1956-71, professor and chair of what is now known as the Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition for more than 20 years and director of women’s athletics. He served as dean of the College of Professional Studies, the Graduate School and the College of Arts and Sciences. Later in his career, he served as vice president for academic affairs in 1991 and was named provost in 1995. He retired two years later and worked part time as a university liaison until his full retirement last August.
Hart came to Abilene in April during a reunion of former tennis players. Hart was honored with the announcement of the Hart Tennis Endowment Fund, letters from players, a tribute video and a celebration of his 80th birthday.
His daughter, Dr. Kerri Hart, is one of three program directors for the Student Recreation and Wellness Center. She said her father’s influence is apparent to her everywhere on campus.
“There’s not a single area on this campus that I don’t have memories of him,” Kerri said. “Every day someone comes up to me tells me about the impact he had on their lives. He will be remembered for his gentle spirit and the encourager he was to everybody.”
Kerri Hart said her father was more involved in different areas of ACU than she knew before he died.
“We didn’t know about all the roles and programs he had a place in until this summer,” Kerri said. “He was a major part in creating pass/fail classes, and he even helped bring the Special Olympics track and field competition to Texas.”
Siburt will be remembered for his ministry work with Churches of Christ and students at Abilene Christian University.
Siburt, 68, was diagnosed with IGM Multiple Myeloma, a cancer that destroys antibody-producing cells, in August 2009. He underwent a bone-marrow transplant in March 2010 and went into remission before relapsing in January 2011.
Siburt became a full-time member of ACU faculty in 1988. He has since served as associate dean for ministry programs and services, O.L. and Irene Frazer Professor of Church Enrichment, director of the Doctor of Ministry program and director of the Center for Church Enrichment. He also led ACU’s ElderLink Forum program since it began in 2000.
Dr. Tom Milholland, assistant provost and professor of marriage and family therapy at ACU, had known Siburt for about 35 years since they both served in ministry in the Lubbock area. Milholland most recently worked with Siburt at ACU and as elders at the University Church of Christ. He said Siburt served as an excellent role model for students.
“Charlie was very pastoral in his approach to communications and took his job very seriously,” Milholland said. “He was the kind of person aspiring pastors would like to model themselves after. He was an all around good guy and very pleasant to be with.”
Milholland said Siburt’s cancer treatments at Parkland Hospital in Dallas severely limited his ability to teach this year. Siburt was able to return to teach a little in May, and participated in the spring graduation commencement. Milholland said the last class Siburt was able to teach was a one-week Doctor of Ministry course in June, which was very special to him.
Dr. Phil Schubert, president of ACU, sent an email to all university faculty and staff to let them know about Siburt’s death.
“We have lost a great friend, professor, alumnus and selfless servant leader. Few people over the past 20 years have had more influence in Churches of Christ around the world than he has,” Schubert said in the email. “Dr. Siburt’s mentoring and ministry to church leaders is legendary, and his voice in the life of Abilene Christian will be dearly missed.”
Milholland said Siburt will be remembered as a man who loved God, his family, teaching and preaching.
“He was a great husband, father and church leader, and all of his students loved him,” Milholand said. “He fought a long, hard fight. We’re going to miss him but we’re glad he’s in glory.”
