Honoring the Hixsons
Members of the Hixson family standing by the historical marker are (left to right): Emma and Paul Hixson, and Lauren Hixson Phillips with John and Sheila Hixson. (Norm Miller photo)
Hixson donors honored at Founders Day
By Norm Miller
Louisiana Christian University honored Carroll and Elizabeth Hixson on its annual Founders Day celebration Oct. 24 by unveiling a historical marker outside the Hixson Student Center.
“The Hixsons believed that everyone should have access to a Christian education,” LCU President Dr. Rick Brewer quoted from the marker. “Their gift of the Hixson Student Center testifies to the unified hearts, shared convictions, and exemplary lives of Carroll and Elizabeth Hixson.”
Brewer said students frequent the center for many reasons, including “to hang out, or go to Starbucks, or stand in line at Chic-fil-A.”
The Center was named and dedicated in 1994.
Carroll Hixson was a long-time co-owner of Hixson Funeral Homes with multiple locations in the state, and for 56 years was a member at the First Baptist Church in Lake Charles, where he served in various roles that included deacon and Sunday school teacher.
His love for Louisiana Baptists eventually led him to serve as a trustee with LCU for 28 years, including a stint as chairman.
Sons John and Paul Hixson reflected on their parents’ family and community influence for a near-capacity crowd in Louisiana Christian University’s Guinn Auditorium.
John, who is an LCU trustee residing in Lake Charles, said the Hixson family has “lots of roots [here]. Our family believes in Louisiana Christian University.”
Alumna Lauren Hixson Philips is an accountant in Lake Charles; and Emma, a pre-med student and member of the Wildcats tennis team, attended the event. Unable to attend was Paul’s daughter Meggie, who is an alumna and doctor serving as a missionary in Tanzania.
But the Hixson heritage at Louisiana Christian University goes back to 1907, when Carroll’s father was an adjunct faculty member, John said.
Saying his father showed Christ-centered integrity as a businessman in Lake Charles, John challenged students to make Jesus their foundation upon entering the work force.
“That foundation will be with you forever,” John said. “And you can make a difference in whatever you are doing, and that matters.”
“God has given you talents and abilities you can use for the Kingdom,” he continued. “The Kingdom of God is relational. Think and pray about those talents and blessings that God has given you.”
Paul Hixson — also an alumnus from Sulphur, La., with an MAT degree — asked students to consider how they can impact the world for Christ: “You are at a time in your life when you have some decisions to make. What’s your legacy going to be? The decisions you make are going to prepare you for the rest of your life.”
Brewer expressed his gratitude toward the Hixson family, whose generational and material contributions to Louisiana Christian University support “our Vision of Preparing Graduates and Transforming Lives. The entire family epitomizes who we are as we strive to educate the whole student by emphasizing the maturity of intellect and maturity of Christian character.”
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Brian Blackwell of the Louisiana Baptist Message contributed to this story.