Link Magazine - Fall 2018

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In This Issue

LINK

G R E E T I N G S F R O M D R . PAU L W. A R M E S , INTERIM PRESIDENT

2 Campus News 6 Alumni Association Update

Dear friends, It’s an honor to serve as Howard Payne University’s interim president as HPU diligently searches for the man or woman who will lead this wonderful institution into the future.

(For more on the university’s search for its 20th president, see the story on page 2.) As interim, I often make the comment that I was “hired to be fired.” Soon, I’ll retire – again – and a new leader will emerge.

As I ponder the brevity of my tenure at HPU, I am reminded of a passage in the Book of James.

“Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit’ – yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.’” (James 4:13-15, ESV) The Bible compares our lives on earth to a fine mist. This grand old university, now in its 129th year, is itself just a blip HPU’s purpose and our work here more important, not less.

In my short time at HPU, I’ve met men and women – personnel, alumni, students and friends – who recognize that the Lord is doing amazing things at and through this university. Lives are changed. Students are learning about Christ at HPU and they are taking that intimate knowledge of Him and sharing it with the world.

Our lives are temporary, HPU’s facilities are temporary – even the world is temporary. But the work God is doing through Christian universities like HPU is eternal.

Grace and peace,

Dr. Paul W. Armes

DR. PAUL W. ARMES PHOTO BY AMY PITMAN; OLD MAIN TOWER PHOTO BY MATTHEW LESTER

on the radar of eternity past and future. However, this makes

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8 Howard Payne University Artifacts: Annie Shelton and Cap Shelton, 1910s-1960s

22 Harvard Bound: HPU grad Isaac Sommers prepares for next step in his academic career

10 What I Love About HPU

26 Harrison Earns Success in the Classroom and on the Soccer Field

12 A Holistic View: Career as calling 14 Cover Story – The Jacket Experience: HPU’s Spirit-led approach to Student Life

28 Finding the HPU Family Abroad: Senior Joel Justice reflects on his semester in London 30 In Memoriam 32 Alma Mater Inside Back Cover: HPU Websites and Social Media Back Cover: Student Perspective

Office of University Marketing and Communications: The Link is published by the Office of University Marketing and Communications at Howard Payne University Articles may be reprinted with permission Correspondence: link@hputx.edu or The Link Office of University Marketing and Communications Howard Payne University 1000 Fisk Street Brownwood, Texas 76801 325-649-8009

Kyle Mize Assistant Vice President for Communications Coby Sauce, MBA ’14 Director of Media Relations and Online Communications Amy Pitman Communications Assistant/ Web Editor Jarvis Green Graphic Designer/Web Editor Seth Rainey Student Intern Design and layout

by Kyle Mize and Jarvis Green

Campus News Search for HPU’s 20th president underway

By Coby Sauce, MBA ’14

Howard Payne University’s Presidential Search Committee is seeking God’s guidance and considering input from personnel and an outside firm as the search for the university’s next leader continues.

At the close of the spring 2018 semester, Dr. Bill Ellis retired as president and transitioned to the role of chancellor.

HPU’s Board of Trustees then appointed Dr. Paul W. Armes interim and named a committee to conduct the search for the institution’s 20th president.

The search committee is chaired by Dr. David L. Lowrie Jr., senior pastor from Decatur and member of HPU’s Board of Trustees. Other committee members from the Board of Trustees are Ronnie D. Andrews, 1983 HPU alumnus and business executive from Houston; Marc Dingler, 1984 HPU alumnus and attorney from Midland; Carter M. Sharpe, insurance executive from Brownwood; Jonathan “Jonny” Snow, 2006 HPU alumnus and businessman from Dallas; and Lesley Collier Wyse, 1972 HPU alumna and retired educator from Boerne. Representing HPU employees on the committee are Dr. Kylah Clark-Goff, dean of the School of Education and professor of education; Lynn Humeniuk, director of the criminal justice program and associate professor of criminal justice and sociology; and Hunter Sims, athletic director.

“The members of this search committee have a wide range of experiences and perspectives, but they all share a heartfelt commitment to Howard Payne University,” said Pastor Ray Still, chair of HPU’s Board of Trustees. “I am confident in their ability to locate the right candidate and I

“We intend to not leave a stone unturned in our search for the leader God has called, equipped and prepared to lead us into the future.”

– Dr. David L. Lowrie Jr., chair, Presidential Search Committee

Dr. Paul W. Armes, interim president, greets HPU personnel at a reception in June.

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RECEPTION PHOTO BY JARVIS GREEN

appreciate their leadership through this process.”

In e-mail updates to HPU personnel, Dr. Lowrie has expressed his confidence that the Lord will provide for HPU during the search process and in the years to come. With the assistance of CarterBaldwin Executive Search, the committee is reaching out to a wide range of potential candidates and following up on every nomination presented to them.

“We intend to not leave a stone unturned in our search for the leader God has called, equipped and prepared to lead us into the future,” he said.

More information about the search may be found at www.hputx.edu/presidentsearch. The search committee may be contacted by e-mail at psc@hputx.edu.

For more information on Dr. Ellis’ retirement and Dr. Armes’ appointment as interim president, please see the summer 2018 issue of the HPU Update newsletter, available at www.hputx.edu/hpu-update.

By Coby Sauce, MBA ’14

The Texas Board of Nursing unanimously approved Howard Payne University’s proposal to offer the pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. At a BON meeting held in Austin in July, the news was communicated to HPU representatives Dr. W. Mark Tew, provost and chief academic officer; Dr. Nina Ouimette, dean of nursing; and Dr. Laci Sutton ’09, instructor of nursing.

The approval follows many months of diligent preparation and close correspondence with the BON by HPU administrators and faculty.

“Due to the excellent work of our dean and faculty, the Texas Board of Nursing unanimously approved HPU’s proposal for the pre-licensure BSN,” said Dr. Tew. “HPU expresses its sincerest appreciation to Dr. Ouimette and Dr. Sutton for leading the university through this process. The university also appreciates the rest of HPU’s faculty for their support in the development of curriculum.”

Carter M. Sharpe, member of HPU’s Board of Trustees and past chairman, called the BON approval great news and an answer to prayer.

“The Board of Nursing’s rigorous approval process helps ensure HPU’s School of Nursing will be even stronger than it was at the onset,” he said. “This is a great step forward for Howard Payne and I can’t thank Dr. Tew and Dr. Ouimette enough for their leadership.”

Quoting Matthew 23:11 (NIV), which reads “The greatest among you will be your servant,” Dr. Ouimette said she believes HPU will provide future nurses a solid Christ-centered foundation to serve others.

“I am elated that entering freshmen and transfer students may declare a nursing major,” she said. “Our curriculum is student centered with a focus on caring, faith and intellectual inquiry.”

The program is expected to be of great interest to current and prospective students, said Kevin Kirk, MBA ’14, HPU’s associate vice president for enrollment management.

“We are thrilled that students seeking to follow God’s call into the field of nursing can now pursue that at Howard Payne,” he said. “The attitude of Christian service at HPU is a great fit for students who want to impact the world through nursing.”

A quick-reference guide follows with more details.

When will BSN classes begin? HPU is authorized to ad-

mit incoming students declared as nursing majors beginning with the fall 2018 semester. These students will subsequently undergo a rigorous and competitive process to gain admission to the university’s School of Nursing during the spring semester of their sophomore year. If admitted to the program, students will start BSN coursework the following semester (fall 2019).

In addition to incoming first-year students, transfer students and HPU upperclassmen may enroll as nursing majors with plans to apply to HPU’s School of Nursing during the latter portion of their sophomore year.

What process did HPU undergo to gain approval from the Texas Board of Nursing? In September 2017,

DR. NINA OUIMETTE PHOTO BY COBY SAUCE, MBA ’14

Dr. Ouimette filed a Letter of Intent with the BON that outlined the university’s intentions of establishing a pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program. The BON approved Dr. Ouimette to serve as HPU’s proposed baccalaureate degree nursing education program director. The following month, Dr. Ouimette and Dr. Sutton attended a BON new program development information session in Austin. BON representatives performed a site visit in June 2018 to ensure HPU’s classrooms, labs and other facilities are complete and ready for use by students. The representatives then recommended approval of HPU’s proposal to the full Board of Nursing.

Who teaches in the program? The primary faculty mem-

Dr. Nina Ouimette was employed as dean of HPU’s School of Nursing in 2017.

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bers in HPU’s School of Nursing are Dr. Nina Ouimette and Dr. Laci Sutton ’09. Additional prospective faculty members have been identified and will be employed as the program grows.

Dr. Ouimette, employed by HPU in June 2017, earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from George Mason University, a Master of Science degree in child development and family relations from East Carolina University, a (Continued on page 4) L I N K / FA L L 2 0 1 8

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HPU receives unanimous approval for pre-licensure BSN from Texas Board of Nursing

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Dr. Laci Sutton ’09, instructor of nursing, joined HPU’s faculty in 2016.

Master of Science in Nursing degree from Hardin-Simmons University and a Doctor of Education degree from Texas Tech University. Her past experience includes serving as dean and professor of nursing with tenure at Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing from 2009 to 2016. Also with Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing, she served as Bachelor of Science in Nursing director and associate professor of nursing with tenure from 2008 to 2009 and as assistant professor from 2002 to 2008. Additionally, she served as an adjunct faculty

member at Abilene Intercollegiate School of Nursing from 2000 to 2002 and as RN clinical nurse analyst and nurse educator at Hendrick Medical Center from 1997 to 2002.

Dr. Sutton, who joined the HPU faculty in 2016, received her Bachelor of Science degree from HPU in 2009 and a Master of Science in Nursing degree from Lubbock Christian University in 2014. Her experience includes clinical examiner and adjunct faculty positions at Excelsior College in New York. She has also held positions at the Medical Intensive Care Unit of Covenant Medical Center in Lubbock, including unit nurse tech, unit registered nurse and relief charge nurse. Dr. Sutton recently earned the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Grand Canyon University.

Does HPU offer additional routes to the BSN degree?

In addition to its pre-licensure BSN degree, HPU offers the RN-to-BSN degree program. This program allows for a registered nurse with an unencumbered license to continue his or her education toward a post-licensure BSN degree.

How do I find out more? For more information about HPU

and the university’s academic offerings, visit www.hputx.edu.

HPU’s School of Nursing may be contacted by e-mail at nursing@hputx.edu or by phone at 325-649-8182.

We value your feedback In late 2017, HPU’s Office of University Marketing and Communications created a survey to obtain feedback on the Link magazine and other HPU publications. Many of you participated and we incorporated various suggestions for improvement, such as an increased focus on stories about HPU’s students.

We continually strive to improve HPU’s publications and we appreciate your input!

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DR. LACI SUTTON PHOTO BY COBY SAUCE, MBA ’14

Please complete a brief follow-up survey to let us know what you think about this year’s versions. The survey, located at www.hputx.edu/publicationsurvey, will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. It asks questions regarding HPU’s Link magazine, the HPU Update electronic newsletter and HPU’s website.

In April, five HPU El Paso Center students were

awarded the Hunt Family Foundation Scholarship.

This new scholarship for business majors provides students $2,000 for the calendar year’s school expenses. Recipients for 2018 were Jesus Barraza, Sandra Saucedo, Jeffrey Brewer, Rose Chavez and Cynthia Medina. The scholarships were made possible through a $10,000 grant in 2018 from El Paso’s Hunt Family Foundation which serves organizations in the El Paso region.

The El Paso Baptist Association donated 5,000 books

to the HPU El Paso Center during the spring 2018 semester. The books are primarily Christian studies resources including scriptural commentaries, Bible encyclopedias and dictionaries, preaching and church-history texts and practical ministry books.

The El Paso Baptist Association is comprised of approximately 100 churches serving the Paso del Norte region, and

HPU New Braunfels Center Highlights Dr. Eric Covington was employed

EL PASO PHOTO COURTESY OF HPU EL PASO CENTER; DR. ERIC COVINGTON PHOTO BY AMY PITMAN

in July as HPU New Braunfels Center’s full-time assistant professor of Christian studies. Dr. Covington had been serving at HPU’s Brownwood campus as the resident director for Taylor Hall and the Campus Apartments while also teaching at the HPU New Braunfels Center on an interim basis.

“As the only program taught completely on location at the New Braunfels Center, the Christian studies program will significantly benefit from the addition of Dr. Covington,” said Dr. Benjamin Martin ’04, assistant vice president of the New Braunfels Center.

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By Seth Rainey, HPU senior, and Amy Pitman

representing African-American, Anglo, Chinese, Hispanic and Korean Baptists.

“We would like to thank the El Paso Baptist Association for donating their substantial library for our students’ use,” said Dr. Adrian Gil, director of the El Paso Center and professor of business.

The HPU El Paso Center is gearing up for another productive year of partnership with the Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce. All HPU El Paso personnel are involved with two very important initiatives that affect the local community: • The FAFSA Nights Committee – Recognized by El Paso City Hall for efforts in helping the region lead the state in highest percentage of completed FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) applications; and • The Armed Forces Committee and Veteran Retention Subcommittee – Charged with fostering and supporting relationships with Fort Bliss, most notably to create and reinforce a business environment and supporting services in El Paso that attract and retain active-duty military and military retirees.

By Seth Rainey, HPU senior

The center experienced its largest enrollment for the May term and, for the first time during that term, classes were held on-site. Enrollment for the 2018 May term more than doubled that of 2017, with 17 students attending classes during the month.

“HPU New Braunfels is working diligently to create momentum in all aspects of the organization,” said Dr. Martin.

“Therefore, even a short semester such as May term gives us excitement and momentum for the upcoming semesters.”

As an accelerated semester taking place over the course of a single month, the May term is designed for students to efficiently complete courses and work around busy schedules. College Algebra and Introduction to Financial Accounting were taught on campus in addition to four other online courses during this year’s May term at the New Braunfels Center.

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HPU El Paso Center Highlights

Alumni Association Update Staying Local Has Its Benefits Marshal McIntosh ’15, MBA ’16, uses his talents in Brownwood Story by Amy Pitman

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To find out more about the HPU Alumni Association and related activities, please visit www.hputx.edu/alumni.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF MARSHAL MCINTOSH ’15, MBA ’16

His time at Howard Payne University was more brief than most, but Marshal McIntosh came away with two degrees and an energized philosophy on living life and giving back.

McIntosh, assistant director of economic development and public information officer for the City of Brownwood, says he made his decision to attend Howard Payne after a visit to the campus.

“I felt a lot of peace upon arriving at HPU,” he said. “I stepped on campus and knew that it was where I was supposed to be for college.”

McIntosh, originally from San Saba, said PJ Gramling ’81, director of admission, and Sally Brown, the tennis coach at that time, were influential in his decision to attend HPU. Both were friendly and caring, which are known characteristics of the HPU family atmosphere that many alumni and current students describe.

While a student at HPU, McIntosh earned a Bachelor of Science degree in public and media communication in 2015 after just three years. He then completed work for a Master of Business Administration degree (MBA), also from HPU, the following summer in 2016.

“I’m a hard worker, so getting my MBA became a goal that

I set to get done,” McIntosh said. “I also enjoyed being in the community and Christcentered atmosphere that HPU provides.”

Relationships that were built with many of the faculty and staff at the university greatly influenced McIntosh as an individual.

“Coach Brown prepared each of us individually and as a team to not only be successful on the court, but instilled in us that, with hard work, we would be successful off the court and in our community,” he said. “Dr. Julie Welker [chair of the Department of Communication, professor of communication and 1994 graduate of HPU] and Kim Bryant [then professor of communication] both poured into me as a student, were my mentors and are now my friends.”

Several aspects of his time at HPU, including both of his degrees, have provided McIntosh with valuable opportunities. In fact, his first fulltime job came from an internship he had while at HPU. McIntosh plans to stay local to share his passion in making the community an even better place to live. He says his current position with the City of Brownwood gives him an avenue to do that and, as an added bonus, he can be more involved in HPU’s Alumni Association.

“I want to ensure that future students are blessed in the same way or better than I was as a student,” he said. “HPU invested in us as students, so now it is our turn to invest back into the university, whether that is spiritually, financially, physically or giving our time. For Howard Payne my all!”

Dr. Nancy Jo Humfeld, professor and director of theatre, has served at HPU since 1986.

come one, come all to howard payne university's spectacular homecoming extravaganza! step right up and enjoy this fun-filled weekend.

You won’t want to miss the weekend’s merriments including: Bonfire on the Bayou and Fireworks The Alumni & Sports Hall of Fame Banquet The Alumni Association’s 5K Road Race Golden Graduate Luncheon and Celebration for the Class of 1968 Reunion Dinner for the Class of 1963 Parade, Little Jackets’ Nest, Football Game and so much more!

Visit www.hputx.edu/homecoming to register and see a complete weekend schedule.

Not a fan of online registration? Contact the Office of Alumni Relations (alumni@hputx.edu or 325-649-8007) and we will help you purchase your tickets!

Cap Shelton’s dog tags from World War I

19 10s-1960s

ton el h S p a C d n a n to Annie Shel

Cap Shelton and Annie Shelton at Old Main

by Dr. Robert Mangrum, professor of history and government and university historian

DR. ROBERT MANGRUM PHOTO BY KYLE MIZE; ARTIFACT PHOTOS BY SETH RAINEY, HPU SENIOR

HPU has always been about people, both students and faculty/staff. Two such influential persons were siblings Annie and Cap Shelton.

Annie Shelton was born in Lorena on March 9, 1885. She graduated from HPC in 1916 and returned as a faculty member after teaching one and a half years at Paint Rock.

She received her master’s degree from George Washington University and also did graduate work at Columbia.

At HPC, “Miss Annie,” as she was popularly known, served as professor of history from 1918 until her retirement in 1953.

Her service to students outside the classroom includes time as faculty sponsor of the Baptist Student Union, the sophomore class and the pep squad. The Lasso yearbook was dedicated to her three times, once after she had retired.

In 1958, reflecting the “true spirit of Howard Payne,” she donated a 225-acre farm to HPC. She had purchased the farm during her early teaching years, saving $75 a month until she had saved the $5,000 needed for the purchase.

“It is a great joy for me to make this gift,” she said. “I will always feel greatly indebted to Howard Payne for offering me the opportunities that have enriched my life. My teaching years were happy ones.”

In 1959, Miss Annie was honored along with Cap as HPC’s Ex-Students of the Year. She was also honored at HPC’s 75th Anniversary Homecoming in November 1963 and again in May 1964 spring graduation exercises. She died on January 14, 1971, at the age of 91.

John Horace “Cap” Shelton was born on a farm in Coleman

County on May 12, 1893, 20 days after his father died. Cap attended HPC, where he was a fullback with the football team, manager of the basketball team and ran the 880 and the mile in track. He graduated from HPC in 1917.

After two stints as a math teacher at Sherman High School with service in the U.S. Army in between, he returned to his alma mater in 1920 as instructor of math and track coach. He also served as faculty manager of athletics and, in 1928, was named director of athletics. He also found time to do additional graduate study at the University of Michigan, the University of Illinois and Baylor.

Cap was so multi-talented that he also served as HPC’s basketball coach (1920 to 1924), registrar (1929 to 1931) and business manager (1931-1956), with four of those years (19341938) as vice president and business manager. He also served as director of properties and development (1956-1964).

On the cinder track, Cap guided HPC to 17 conference titles and one national championship between 1925 and 1967.

He helped establish the Texas Conference and served as chair of the conference’s Athletic Council. After HPC joined the Lone Star Conference, Cap was named the conference’s Coach of the Year in 1964. His reputation led to his demand as a referee at top track meets such as the Texas Relays. Fittingly, he was named to the National Track Hall of Fame, the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame and the HPU Sports Hall of Fame.

Cap served 47 years at HPC. He and his wife, Opal, had no children except for the hundreds of students who knew and valued him as their mentor during their years at HPC. He died at the age of 74 on June 28, 1967.

Dr. Robert Mangrum has published an account of HPU’s history titled For Howard Payne My All: 125 Years of Christian Higher Education and Service, 1889-2015. The book, which took 17 years to write, celebrates the university’s history since its founding in 1889. It is available for $30 on DVD or USB flash drive at HPU’s Spirit Store in the Mabee University Center or at www.hputx.edu/store. All proceeds from the book’s sales support an academic scholarship at HPU. 8

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Inscription in Cap Shelton’s Bible Annie Shelton, 1927

Cap Shelton, 1921

Portrait of Annie Shelton

Various trophies from track successes Portrait of Cap Shelton by artist Brenda Shaw

BY KEITH BAKER II, HPU SOPHOMORE

Throughout the years I have attended Howard Payne University, I’ve come to appreciate what this campus has to offer. I am in my third year as an art major, and I also serve as a resident assistant in Jennings Hall as well as a member of HPU’s committee for CASL, the Christian Association of Student Leaders.

Every time I return to HPU, I find myself grateful to be able to gain my education at such a wonderful place and I find it hard to imagine myself at any other college or university. I am truly glad I have the opportunity to attend here. There are a few reasons, in particular, that make coming to HPU such a great experience.

The first thing that comes to mind that makes Howard Payne so enjoyable is the strong faith that surrounds the campus. When I first came here I was extremely shocked by the amount of faith and fellowship that flowed through every nook and cranny of the campus. I have to admit that, initially, I thought it was a bit much. Now, I’m not saying that I disliked it. The fact was that I had never really felt faith in such an abundance except from a select few individuals and at church. I knew Howard Payne was a Christian university so I had expected as much, but I thought that school and the general college atmosphere would mask it.

The magnitude of faith greatly exceeded my first impressions. I’m happy that this was the case because over time I found myself wanting to attain a better connection to God. Without a doubt, I have noticed my connection has been strengthened from where it originally was.

In addition to the faith and fellowship, the people here, from the students to the personnel, are some of the most likable people I have been around. I can’t begin to count how often I’ve been asked to participate in events around campus. As an introvert, I initially tried to ignore and brush off whoever asked me but I eventually gave in and accepted. With the persistence and sincerity that was thrown my way,

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I W I L L B E E T E R N A L LY G R AT E F U L T O E V E R YO N E A N D E V E R Y T H I N G AT H O WA R D PAY N E U N I V E R S I T Y.

PHOTOS BY COBY SAUCE, MBA ’14

how could I keep rejecting their offers? I now know it was the right choice to make. At HPU we’re one big family, and I believe that, because Howard Payne is such a small university, building relationships comes easily and naturally. But you can’t have these connections unless there are people who are willing to start and maintain them, which is something that HPU has in both quality and quantity.

The last aspect of HPU that I find so great is the comfortable environment. Coming from Houston, the largest city in Texas as well as one of the largest cities in America, I was a little skeptical about coming to the quiet, small town that is Brownwood, Texas. However, I quickly discovered I rather enjoy the quietness very much. I assume that, due to my mostly introverted nature, I came to appreciate the quiet moments. I do like to be around friends and interact with different people, but I find myself most at peace and content when I’m by myself and HPU gives me plenty of time to do so.

For me, doing homework, watching anime, reading or being on my phone are things best done in a cozy atmosphere.

This also comes with the advantage of keeping me focused when doing something of importance. If I were to have attended a larger and more populated university, I believe that I would not have as many chances for peaceful time to myself. This is yet another reason why I appreciate HPU as much as I do.

Howard Payne is a very special university. What makes HPU so amazing can’t be defined by a singular characteristic.

Howard Payne may not be the flashiest university out there, but no one can say that it’s not unique. Looking back on everything I have experienced in coming to this great place, I can confidently say that I don’t, for a single second, regret coming here and I will be eternally grateful to everyone and everything at Howard Payne University. This is where I truly belong.

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Keith Baker (pictured at left outside the HPU art studio) finds plenty of time at HPU for both personal reflection and interaction with friends. He is also pictured at an easel inside the art studio (adjacent to the Doakie Day Art Center) and with a resident of Jennings Hall where Keith serves as an RA.

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t only takes a brief conversation with Dr. Kylah Clark-Goff, dean of Howard Payne University’s School of Education, to witness her passion for learning and serving Christ. In her eyes, these two aspects of life should complement each other to influence life and career.

After going to Baylor University to obtain her education degree and starting a job as a teacher, she sensed a calling to missions. With this calling in mind, she chose to attend Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary part time while continuing to teach.

Growing up with a mother who was a teacher meant education always felt like a natural fit for Dr. Clark-Goff.

However, her call to missions was more than coincidental with her skill and background in education.

“Teaching skills work in a lot of contexts,” she said.

“Whether it be teaching someone English or the Bible, education has been involved everywhere I’ve done missions.”

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While at seminary, she married Dr. Sam Goff. Following the completion of her degree, the couple made a major commitment to God’s calling by moving to Mozambique as missionaries. While in the country, Dr. Clark-Goff ran an English program and her husband worked on agricultural development. After several years, they returned to the United States due to the birth of their first child, Mo. The couple then completed their doctoral degrees at Texas A&M. Currently, Dr. Goff is the minister of missions at Coggin Avenue Baptist Church in Brownwood. The couple’s children, Mo and Madeleine, attend Brownwood High School and Coggin Intermediate School respectively. Though the family now resides in Brownwood, their mission work is ongoing.

“Anything we do can be considered missions, in that our H OWA R D PAY N E U N I V E R S I T Y

PHOTO BY JARVIS GREEN

career is really a calling,” Dr. Clark-Goff said. “No matter what the career, it is about how God is going to use you to make a difference in the lives of people. We should have a holistic view of careers – we’re all ministers if we choose to be.”

Just as missions should not be confined to a certain profession, she emphasized that education should not be restricted to the classroom.

“Learning is a constant, lifelong process,” she said. “We’ve all got to be in a constant state of learning. If you’re not going forward, you’re taking steps back.”

In addition to serving as the dean of the School of Education, she chairs the Student Learning Success Committee as part of HPU’s Strategic Planning process and serves on the Presidential Search Committee. As HPU seeks its 20th president, Dr. ClarkGoff said the committee and the university as a whole must follow God’s leading.

“God has prepared someone to be HPU’s president, just H OWA R D PAY N E U N I V E R S I T Y

as He has prepared this position for that person,” she said.

“We have to be so prayerful that we’re in the right mindset to recognize who God is guiding to HPU.” She did not attend HPU, but Dr. Clark-Goff said living in Brownwood since the eighth grade meant that the university was an important part of her life. She grew up knowing professors, staff, peers and friends who worked at or attended HPU. This, combined with her time teaching at the university, has accentuated the institution’s uniqueness to her.

“You are going to meet the greatest people here,” she said.

“These people will shape your life and then still be there for you in 20 years. That’s what we have to offer – amazing people who are student focused and centered in Christ.”

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to student life

BY COBY SAUCE, MBA ’14, AND AMY PITMAN

hen Howard Payne University’s fall 2018 new-student class arrived on campus in August for Jacket Journey, a thoughtfully planned series of events awaited them.

The newest Yellow Jackets took part in fun games, informational sessions and team-building exercises. They met HPU personnel and upperclassmen, worshipped together and served the community together.

What the students didn’t see was the Student Life staff’s many years of expertise and the several months of preparation and planning it takes to orchestrate an event of this scale. They also didn’t see the many hours HPU personnel from across campus spent petitioning God in prayer on the students’ behalf.

All facets of the Student Life experience at HPU, including Jacket Journey, are designed to help students discover identity in Christ, promote personal responsibility, build relationships, participate in service to the campus and local area and develop a community of caring for one another, all while having fun and building lifelong friendships.

The Student Life staff members, under the leadership of Dr. Magen Bunyard, vice president for student life and dean of students, focus on four key areas to promote the students’ holistic growth and personal development – spiritual growth, leadership development, community and service.

Spiritual Growth – Add to Your Faith “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:5-8, NIV)

JACKET JOURNEY is HPU’s welcome and orientation event at the university and introduce them to the HPU culture. The theme for the four-day event this year was “Level Up,” relating to advancing to the next level in life as in a video game. Several of the photos in this article were taken during this year’s Jacket Journey, held in August.

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JACKET JOURNEY PHOTOS BY JARVIS GREEN

designed to equip new students for success

The spiritual growth of students is not an afterthought, or even one among a checklist of things to accomplish during the years HPU personnel interact with the students – it is the foundation of the HPU experience. Whether an individual student’s primary goal is to pursue a particular major, participate in a team sport, make lifelong friends or some combination of the three, HPU’s goal for that student is to become the person God has designed him or her to be. The academic and Student Life opportunities students experience at HPU are offered in order to accomplish this foundational goal.

Spiritual development is not woven into the student experience at HPU; rather, faith is the catalyst by which all other things are accomplished.

“The work of Student Life is investing in the lives of

The Jacket Journey group poses for the annual group photo. blue t-shirts signify new students, pink t-shirts signify Jacket Journey group leaders and green t-shirts signify the Student Planning Committee, which plans and executes the event. students in hopes that our efforts help students become the individuals God has called them to become,” said Dr. Bunyard. “Through all the activities, programs and opportunities offered, students are encouraged to grow in relationship with Christ.”

Leadership Development – Working for the Lord “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord

Jessica Meeks – Senior from Paradise, Texas I like to tell younger students my story and how they can avoid the troubles I experienced my freshman year. I am thankful for all the personnel here who have poured into my life. It’s exciting to watch God working in my life and to see how He is growing me at Howard Payne University.

JESSICA MEEKS AND KENDALL MOORE PHOTOS BY AMY PITMAN

and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3:23-24, ESV)

At a university that prizes faith in Christ above all else, leadership development is different than it would be at a secular university because the goals and results are eternal. Students are taught to be leaders so that they may, in turn, serve God and one another.

“Learning how to identify and utilize the gifts God has given you is a key focus of leadership development at HPU,” said Dr. Bunyard.

Resident assistants (RAs) are student leaders living and working in each of HPU’s residence halls who mentor, serve and guide their fellow students. The RAs’ wide range of H OWA R D PAY N E U N I V E R S I T Y

Kendall Moore – Junior from Mesquite, Texas Community is really important to me. Through the example of Josh Snow and Wes Curton, I have learned to live out my faith and not just speak it. HPU is a community of people who care and genuinely want to see all of us succeed.

Being part of the student community may seem awkward at first, but once you get past yourself, you will see the blessings and doors will open. College is definitely what you make it and Student Life is key.

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expertise includes developing relationships with their peers, navigating roommate conflicts, addressing maintenance issues, monitoring safety concerns, hosting events and facilitating the move-in and checkout processes.

They serve a vital role within the university and receive education and experience in a number of areas. These include connecting with God, themselves and others; leadership

Sawyer Fisher – Senior from Bertram, Texas I have learned that God has a plan for my life and I just have to trust it. My freshman year was not that fun because I chose not to get involved at HPU. I looked in the mirror one day and made the decision to get involved in the HPU community.

Since then, Student Life has grown me as a person because God put certain people in my life at different times and seasons for a purpose, and He did that for me through the leaders in HPU’s Student Life organizations.

Holly Leatherman – Senior from Tolar, Texas Planning and implementing the district convention for Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma this past spring at HPU grew me tremendously as a leader. I also get to be a cheerleader here, which is rare at most universities. I have gotten so many opportunities to grow in leadership here at HPU and have been shown how to serve God and be a missionary for Him through teaching and leading out.

Caleb Kostreva – Senior from Clifton, Colorado HPU seeks to promote the Christian life. There has been nothing better for my growth in all areas of life than being an RA (resident assistant). I have become a better spiritual leader and leader in general through the opportunities in Student Life.

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training including accountability and learning to express clear expectations; safety measures including CPR/AED training, campus safety, drug and alcohol awareness and emergency procedures; and knowledge of resources and support including mental health resources, communication strategies, self-care and more.

Students across campus take part in additional leadership roles through student organizations, athletics and a myriad of other opportunities.

Community – Living Together in Unity “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1, NIV)

The vast network of HPU students, personnel, alumni and friends is often referred to as the HPU family, and this familial atmosphere is clearly demonstrated through the current students living and learning together on campus.

“Being part of a community helps students recognize that everyone is worthy of dignity and respect,” said Dr. Bunyard.

“It also provides a sense of belonging that facilitates positive connections.”

A significant component of the HPU community is the designated times for the university family to join together in worship. Weekly Chapel services feature guest speakers and a group of students leading praise and worship. The Baptist Student Ministry (BSM) also hosts bi-weekly student-led worship events.

Beginning in the 2018-2019 academic year, offices across campus are closed for Chapel (Wednesdays at 10 a.m.) to prioritize this time of worship. Campus guests and community members are invited to join in as well.

Student activities, organizations and intramural sports provide a variety of opportunities to build relationships and develop connections to each other and to the university.

Josh Snow ’13, director of student activities, said one of his goals is to create a fun atmosphere for students to feel encouraged and cared for by others around them.

“I think if we create a space where someone feels important and loved, then they will choose to attend and to come back for more,” he said.

Service – Looking Out for One Another “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:4, ESV)

During Jacket Journey, new HPU students, along with personnel and upperclassmen, spend one of their first days on campus serving the Brownwood community through an event H OWA R D PAY N E U N I V E R S I T Y

Student Planning Committee members are (left to right) group advisor Josh Snow ’13, director of student activities; senior Lainee Hasty; senior Titus Brown (co-Coordinator); senior Jessica Meeks (co-Coordinator); senior Sawyer Fisher; junior Marisa Miller; junior Scott Wright; and junior Madison Neal.

“I Think if we create a space where someone feels important and loved, then they will choose to attend and to come back for more.” – Josh Snow ’13

SPC PHOTO BY JARVIS GREEN; INDIVIDUAL STUDENT PHOTOS BY AMY PITMAN

called S.W.A.R.M. (Serving With A Right Motive). Student Life staff members continue to promote this attitude of service throughout their years of interaction with students.

“Engaging in opportunities of service during college helps prepare students for lifelong service to God and humanity,” said Dr. Bunyard.

During the 2017-2018 academic year, HPU student athletes completed more than 2,500 hours of community service for local ministries, organizations and schools.

“We started the community service initiative two years ago,” said Hunter Sims, athletic director. “We would like to see each student athlete be involved locally and live out servant leadership.”

Members of HPU’s Student Government Association (SGA) serve their peers by acting as liaisons between students and university administrators. These student leaders help identify campus concerns, gather input from students and create proposals for campus improvements while seeking the direction of the Lord (Psalm 86:11).

SGA members have served their peers by hosting events and completing a variety of projects such as the installation of hydration stations, the creation of a designated spot on campus to hang hammocks, the renovation of the Gazebo, the hosting of H OWA R D PAY N E U N I V E R S I T Y

Angelica Ramirez – Senior from Austin, Texas God showed me at HPU that I have many ways to serve the people around me. I got out of my comfort zone to serve through my job as an RA, and it has been such a blessing to me. HPU is a place where God will ask us to get out of our comfort zones, but He is with us all the way along with an amazing staff who genuinely care and want to see us succeed in life.

Trey POtter – Senior from Odessa, Texas Intramurals give everyone an opportunity to get plugged in.

With sports ranging from flag football to cornhole (a beanbag toss game), all students can find a niche and get involved. The more that students become involved on campus, the more likely they are to stay at HPU. L I N K / FA L L 2 0 1 8

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9/11 memorial events and the promotion of voter registration.

During her time as an HPU student, Karli Conrad, a May 2018 graduate from Katy, was involved with leadership roles on the Student Activities Council, SGA, BSM and the Student Planning Committee. She is now the BSM intern through the Baptist General Convention of Texas’ Campus Missionary Intern program, serving students and showing them how they, in turn, can serve others.

“I didn’t know about the BSM when I first came to HPU or how to get involved,” she said. “But HPU has such great leaders who can see the spark in someone. They poured into me and showed me I had a heart for service. I now get to give back some of what HPU has given to me all these years.”

Family Forever – The Jacket Experience The Student Life staff members’ attention to students’ spiritual growth and leadership development, as well as the care given to building community and encouraging spirits of service, ensure that the Student Life experience at HPU extends beyond students having something fun to do between classes.

The Jacket experience means something different to each student or former student you ask, but most come away from their time at HPU knowing they are cherished by God and, as generations of alumni will attest, part of the HPU family forever.

What is Student Life?

Student Life at HPU is comprised of the following: Athletics Baptist Student Ministry Chapel Cheerleading Copy Center and Mailroom Department of Public Safety (HPU) Elliston-Cassle Wellness Center Health Services Intramurals Jacket Journey Residence Life Student Activities Student Conduct Student Government Student Organizations

Staff members Representing areas of HPU’s Student Life: (Pictured above, back row, from left) Hunter Sims, athletic director; clinical education coordinator and director of the Elliston-Cassle Wellness Center; Keith Platte, Baptist Student Ministry director and Chapel co-coordinator; Josh Snow ’13, director of student activities; and Dr. Chris Rosborough ’08, assistant professor of music, director of choral activities and Chapel co-coordinator;

(Middle row, from left) Richelle Hair, instructor of communication and cheer coach; Kelly Eason, resident director

of Veda Hodge Hall; Jamie Skaggs, part-time university nurse; Gretchen Campbell; executive assistant to the vice president for Student Life and dean of students; and Sam Wilson, copy center/mailroom coordinator;

(Front row, from left) Jerry Leslie, part-time university counselor; Dr. Magen Bunyard, vice president for Student Life

and dean of students; Karli Conrad ’18, Baptist Student Ministry intern; Zachary Sterling ’16, resident director for Taylor Hall and Campus Apartments; and Wes Curton, resident director of Jennings Hall and director of intramurals 20

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STUDENT LIFE STAFF PHOTO BY AMY PITMAN; JACKET JOURNEY PHOTO BY SETH RAINEY

Chief Bob Pacatte, director of the Department of Public Safety; Scott Owen ’94, assistant professor of kinesiology,

“The work of Student Life is investing in the lives of students in hopes that our efforts help students become the individuals God has called them to become.” – Dr. Magen Bunyard

HPU GR AD ISA AC SOMMERS ’18 PREPARES FOR NEXT STEP IN HIS ACADEMIC CAREER

By Seth Rainey, HPU senior

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PHOTO BY SETH RAINEY

ecent Howard Payne University graduate Isaac Sommers has high hopes and a keen vision for his future as he embarks on the next step of his academic career.

He is spending the fall in Cambridge, Massachusetts, studying at Harvard Law School. For many college students, postgraduate studies at Harvard would be the endpoint of years of planning and dreaming. However, this is not where his aspirations end. His hopes for the future go beyond the ordinary and could be a powerful contribution to the future of the United States, if realized.

“Forty to fifty years from now, it would be great to be on the Supreme Court,” he said. “That is probably my dream job.”

This dream is not the result of a prideful spirit. Instead, it is the result of a strong desire to serve and core values defined by his faith.

“The reasons why I want to serve on the Supreme Court and why I feel led to pursue the path it would take to get there are due to my passion for helping others,” he said. “Because of my views as a Christian, I believe that every person, regardless of anything else, is made in God’s image and that means all are owed a certain degree of respect and dignity.”

He said serving in the United States legal system would allow him to be an advocate for equality, respect and fair treatment for all. This aspiration

SOME OF MY BEST FRIENDS HAVE BEEN MADE WHILE HERE AT HPU. THAT SPEAKS TO THE BLESSING THE UNIVERSITY IS IN TERMS OF A COMMUNITY.

FORTY TO FIFTY YEARS FROM NOW, IT WOULD BE GREAT TO BE ON THE SUPREME COURT. THAT IS PROBABLY MY DREAM JOB.

Isaac Sommers (above) feels his time spent learning in HPU’s Guy D. Newman Honors Academy has left him well prepared for Harvard Law School.

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education through the Honors Academy, he believes he is better prepared for pursuing a legal career.

“The Honors Academy has helped me as someone who wants to go to law school,” he said. “The Socratic method that professors use to engage students in dialogue and discussion is also something that has prepared me for law school.”

His experiences at HPU outside of the classroom have also had a lasting impact on Sommers’ life.

“I started off much more introverted than I am now,” he said. “HPU gave me the opportunity to come out of my shell in that sense and embrace the community that it has. Some of my best friends have been made while here at HPU. That speaks to the blessing the university is in terms of a community.”

He excelled throughout his time at HPU, all the while pursuing an atypical path compared to the average college student.

As a marker of this path, Sommers spent his first year of college in a unique position. He worked as a lobbyist for the Texas H OWA R D PAY N E U N I V E R S I T Y

ISAAC SOMMERS PHOTO AT PODIUM BY JARVIS GREEN; PHOTO WITH JOHN F. MANNING COURTESY OF ISAAC SOMMERS

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is a fitting example of Sommers’ mindset as he proceeds to the next stage of his life.

Important to recognize amid Sommers’ lofty goals is his grounded sensibility. He is committed to service wherever he is on his academic and professional journey.

“All the steps I would need to take in order to potentially be on the Supreme Court, regardless of whether I get there or not, would still be full of opportunities to work in the same areas I am passionate about,” he said.

His pursuit of a career in law is clearly a result of his interests and inherent skills. The value of following God-given inclinations is not lost on Sommers.

“I think it is very important when God gives us particular talents and passions,” he said. “Often those things are connected. I very much feel like this is the path on which God is leading me.”

Sommers graduated from HPU as a double major in the Guy D. Newman Honors Academy: The Program for Civic Leadership and Public Policy and social science with an emphasis in jurisprudence. Because of his

Home School Coalition at the Texas Capitol during his second semester at HPU. Over the course of six months spent in Austin, he maintained his enrollment at HPU by taking online classes while directly experiencing the inner workings of state politics.

While at HPU, he was active in Moot Court and Student Speaker Bureau. He was recognized for success in these areas alongside fellow HPU students.

In 2018, Sommers and fellow HPU student Jordan Hahn were honored as National Brief Writing Champions as part of the American Moot Court Association’s national competition. HPU’s Moot Court team, with Sommers as captain, also went through the 2017 fall semester undefeated in competitions against institutions including Baylor University, Texas A&M University and the United States Air Force Academy.

He was also an active participant in HPU’s Student Government Association. As a member of SGA from his freshman year until his senior year, he served in various capacities as class senator, vice president and president.

“SGA gave me opportunities to work with people, in many cases people who think very differently than I do,” he said. “Through SGA, I had a lot of opportunities to reach out to students here on campus. That’s

something I care deeply about and it’s been a great opportunity to work with everyone involved in the organization.”

Sommers’ involvement in SGA was nearly a missed opportunity. He said that he considered avoiding participation in the organization for fear of being too busy, but encouragement from his Moot Court partner, Katie Rose (Bonner) Talley ’15, then SGA president, led him to join. His advice for early university students in a similar position echoes his experience.

“Don’t be afraid about being too busy,” he said. “HPU has plenty of great programs, service-oriented and social, that students can be involved with while still maintaining high grades and being socially active.”

Reflecting upon his time at HPU, Sommers acknowledged his alma mater has significantly affected him, his path to Harvard and, especially, his faith.

“Obviously, I’ve had a great education, learned a lot, developed academic skills and pursued academic opportunities here, but I think you also want to find a school that gives you the opportunity to build yourself up as a person, to build yourself up as a Christian and to build up other people as a community,” he said. “I think HPU has done all of these things excellently.”

Sommers (right) is pictured with John F. Manning, the Morgan and Helen Chu Dean and Professor of Law at Harvard Law School.

I VERY MUCH FEEL LIKE THIS IS THE PATH ON WHICH GOD IS LEADING ME.

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HARRISON EARNS SUCCESS IN THE CLASSROOM AND ON THE SOCCER FIELD

By Abram Choate ’98, assistant director of athletics for athletic communications Since coming to HPU, Kaitlyn Harrison has excelled both on and off the field. As a leader in the women’s soccer program, she is a two-time Honorable Mention AllConference selection as a defender and midfielder. As an athletic training and Guy D. Newman Honors Academy student, she carries a 4.0 cumulative grade point average, has been twice named Academic All-Conference, has been twice named to the American Southwest Conference Distinguished ScholarAthlete Team for women’s soccer and was the 2018 HPU Female Outstanding Scholar-Athlete.

Harrison, now a senior, might never have attended Howard Payne if not for 2009 graduate Brandon Badgeley. He first introduced her to HPU as her high school soccer coach at Haltom High School in Haltom City and later become her head coach at HPU in the spring of 2016. She attributes much of her athletic success to Coach Badgeley’s influence from high school and college.

What was it like to play for Brandon Badgeley in high school? KH: When we first heard that the coach

Coach Badgeley left Haltom High School and you came to HPU. What was your process of becoming 26

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heard of HPU was through Coach Badgeley because he was encouraging one of my older teammates to go to HPU. Even though he was at Cedar Hill High School my senior year, that planted the seed for myself and another player to attend.

How did you hear he was coming to Howard Payne as the head coach? KH: After HPU announced to the

team that the head coaching position was open, some teammates and I texted Coach Badgeley, asking if he would apply. A couple of weeks later, I was walking through the Mabee Center and there he was, on campus to interview.

What has the experience been like to play for him at the collegiate level? KH: He really tries to know the

players – not just as players but as people. He is also open to talk to, even though he might not agree. You still feel he will listen. He makes it fun while still working hard.

Tell us about your performance on the field the past two seasons. KH: I was surprised with the honors for my

sophomore season because I am not naturally a defender. I was playing out of position because we did not have a lot of depth. During my junior year I was more comfortable playing as a midfielder, which allowed me to thrive.

What is your favorite experience or fondest memory of Howard Payne so far? KH: Overall, spending time

with the soccer team when we travel is fun. Every year on our way to the University of the Ozarks in Clarksville, Arkansas, we have a talent show. It really gets everyone laughing.

What are your future plans after Howard Payne?

KH: I want to attend graduate school and study exercise

physiology. Afterward I’d like to work at the high school level as an athletic trainer.

As a winner of multiple academic awards, tell us about your success in the classroom. KH: Majoring

in athletic training along with the Guy D. Newman Honors Academy, my whole goal coming into college was to get the best grades I could. It gave me a boost of confidence when I started well, and it keeps motivating me to keep doing well.

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CLASSROOM PHOTO BY MATTHEW LESTER; SOCCER FIELD PHOTO BY JARVIS GREEN

before him was leaving (Badgeley came to Haltom High School her sophomore year), I was sad to see the previous coach leave. I did not know what to think about Coach Badgeley. Over the course of the next season, he was very open to being there for us and helping us with what we needed. Now, he is one of my favorite coaches I have ever had at any level.

an HPU student-athlete? KH: The first time I ever

“My whole goal coming into college was to get the best grades I could.

It gave me a boost of confidence when I started well, and it keeps motivating me to keep doing well.�

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H OWA R D PAY N E U N I V E R S I T Y

PHOTOS COURTESY OF JOEL JUSTICE

his past spring, I participated in the HPU London Semester study-abroad program and it proved to be the most unique learning experience I have encountered. Initially, I struggled with leaving my friends and family back home. I had not anticipated the difficulty of uprooting myself from the strong, supportive community at Howard Payne, and the first two weeks in London proved very trying. My outlook on the semester slowly began to change when a familiar HPU quality, family atmosphere, took hold. Once I took the time to form meaningful relationships with other students in the program from HPU, HardinSimmons University and the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and plug into the unique community, the nature of my semester abroad changed entirely.

I discovered the difference between experiencing a city as a tourist and as a resident. Experiences such as early morning conversations over a hot cup of Earl Gray tea in a frigid flat, dodging the

I ARRIVED IN LONDON INTIMIDATED BY A LARGE GROUP OF STRANGERS, BUT I LEFT WITH A NEW FAMILY.

cold London rain by ducking into coffee shops with new friends, conversing with locals on long walks through snow-dusted Hyde Park and struggling to navigate the intricate maze of London’s transport system truly teach you about the soul of a city. Strung together to form an entire semester of reflection and growth, such simple moments of normal day-to-day activities resulted in friendships that will last a lifetime. I arrived in London intimidated by a large group of strangers, but I left with a new family. I understood that the same university setting I was nervous to leave for a semester had actually come with me in spirit to London. The opportunities granted to live as residents in a foreign city facilitated our group’s growth as travelers, students and friends.

With my senior year at HPU now underway, I appreciate how the London semester abroad equipped me for whatever goals I pursue beyond Howard Payne. I learned how to respectfully interact with people from different cultures and backgrounds, gained wisdom from consistently stepping outside of my comfort zone and learned how to adapt to my changing surroundings.

Participating in study-abroad with HPU helped bring

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history and culture to life by allowing me to engage the two with all of my senses. Instead of reading about the world in a textbook, I experienced it firsthand. I didn’t just learn about other people’s stories – I took part in them myself. For instance, I learned more about British history while gazing upon buildings still bearing the scars from Nazi bombs; I witnessed England’s colonial legacy through the rich diversity characterized in London’s streets; and I found a greater appreciation for my own culture while exploring its origins in the ruins of the Roman Forum.

Most importantly, my study-abroad experience taught me that God is not defined by circumstances or geography.

From the steel of the city to the stillness of the mountains, we can rejoice in the colors, aromas and sounds that characterize the manifold richness of His creation. God then offers me the chance to serve Him all over the world in the assurance that such differences and diversity in creation never detract from His constant, loving presence.

The London Semester taught me that meaningful education is more about personal interaction than memorization and gave me multiple opportunities to challenge my preconceived notions of the world and its people.

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In Memoriam Howard Payne University is saddened by the loss of the following alumni and other members of the HPU and DBC families between the dates of February 1, 2018, and August 15, 2018.

HOWARD PAYNE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI Don Ash ’62, March 20,

2018

Ruth Nunez Ayala ’56,

March 17, 2018

Linda Jo Badger ’66,

July 14, 2018

Rev. William H. Bearfield, March 12,

2018

Charles “Mike” Blackburn ’78, June 10,

2018

Marion Cookson Bradford ’42, June 5,

2018

Carolyn Clark Buck ’63,

June 6, 2018

J.D. Chastain ’48, July

2, 2018 (Distinguished Alumnus) Billy Cobb ’53, Aug. 13, 2018

Torrence Corbett Connaway ’59, May 17,

2018

William Cook ’67, July

29, 2018

Dr. James L. Cooper ’45, Aug. 3, 2018

(Former Board of Trustees member, honorary doctorate, Distinguished Alumnus)

Joanne Maysak Covington ’63, April

24, 2018

Dobie Craig ’62, May 22,

2018 (Sports Hall of Fame)

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Dr. Allen “Bill” Crider,

Feb. 12, 2018 (Also former faculty/staff)

Linda Keeler Day ’54,

June 26, 2018

LaShawn Dieterich, July

23, 2018

Dr. Robert E. Dixon ’93,

May 10, 2018 (Honorary doctorate)

Dixie Wilbanks Duke ’64, July 21, 2018 Rev. Thomas C. Dusek ’62, May 11, 2018 Fred Edgar, April 3, 2018 Zanna Holcomb Edgar ’70, March 17, 2018 Betty Siekman Fisher ’56, March 17, 2018 John Fuller, April 2, 2018 Floyd Galloway ’61, June

16, 2018

William “Bill” Gandy,

March 3, 2018

Dorothy Sanford Garrett ’45, June 9,

2018

Rickey George ’69,

April 14, 2018

Phillip A. Gowan ’75,

May 1, 2018

Dr. Joshua Grijalva ’44,

April 4, 2018 (Former Board of Trustees member, honorary doctorate) Jerry D. Hall ’71, June 9, 2018

Eugene “Dean” Hawkins Jr. ’81, Feb.

Jason Poole, June 5,

2018

17, 2018

William Reardon, March

18, 2018

Jerri Blackmon Robinson, May 5, 2018 Billy W. Roe ’54, June 2,

March 8, 2018

John Seidensticker,

Robert Heald ’72, Feb. Rev. Robert A. Helsey ’71, Feb. 9, 2018 Carlos Hernandez ’52, Raymond M. Holguin ’68, May 24, 2018 Richard E. Jackson,

April 27, 2018

Carl A. Jacobson ’71,

April 26, 2018

James Jenkins, Feb. 15,

2018

Christy Barrett Kesey ’82, Feb. 14, 2018 Ouida Chapman Lewis,

March 27, 2018

Melvin C. Lindsey ’54,

May 15, 2018 (Also former faculty/staff) Stella Mae Loyd, Feb. 18, 2018 Albert L. Lykins ’63,

May 13, 2018

Dr. Jimmie W. Miller ’68, April 24, 2018 Jose F. Moreno ’56,

April 8, 2018

Thomas “Horsefly” Murr, March 2, 2018 Robert “Bob” Newman,

April 4, 2018

Rev. Arthur Nunn ’56,

June 24, 2018

Harold Parish ’69, Feb.

16, 2018

Tex Paris ’63, July 5, 2018

1, 2018

2018

May 25, 2018

Eddie Ham Spence ’50,

March 2, 2018

Ray Sulak, May 1, 2018 Joseph “Joe” Swanner ’49, July 16, 2018 Tex Swindler, Feb. 20,

2018

Joyce Coleman Taylor ’66, May 11, 2018 Michael W. Thompson Jr. ’13, June 9, 2018 John A. Webb ’66,

March 20, 2018

Robert L. Wetzel, July

8, 2018

Sunny Fairweather Wilson ’53, Aug. 7,

2018

Mary Alice Mitchell Woods, Feb. 19, 2018 Adam York ’02, June 24,

2018

DANIEL BAKER COLLEGE ALUMNI Bettye Sanderson Dallinger ’39, March

21, 2018

Mickey Drinkard Mathis, July 13, 2018

(Also attended HPU)

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Emory W. Muehlbrad ’49, May 28, 2018

(Distinguished Alumnus)

Donnie Rowland ’51,

March 17, 2018

Nelda Allen Smith,

March 2, 2018

Cormaleta Lewis Wyatt ’55, Feb. 24, 2018

ADDITIONAL HPU FACULTY, STAFF, BOARD MEMBERS AND FRIENDS

William H. Donaldson Sr., July 18, 2018

David “Mack” McDonald, March 7,

Ann Evetts Fisher, April

Pauline Willingham Moore, March 21, 2018

(Friend)

21, 2018 (Friend)

Kathleen Freeman,

March 15, 2018 (Friend) Tom Gonzales, Feb. 12, 2018 (Friend) Ruby Harris Goodwin, July 19, 2018 (Friend) Nadene Parker Griffin,

June 17, 2018 (Friend)

2018 (Friend) (Friend)

Byron Olson, Aug. 6,

2018 (Friend)

Robert Peralta, April 9,

2018 (Friend)

Margaret Thompson Perry, Feb. 9, 2018

(Friend)

Mickey Harr, March 23,

Vivian Davis Powell,

Kay Bryan Black, May 7,

Connie Hopper, June 15,

Jerry Roberts, April 6,

Nathan Clark, Feb. 1,

James Ledbetter, May 8,

Kenneth Sanford, Feb.

Betty Doyen Dilday,

Carla Mahan, April 19,

Joy Smith, May 29, 2018

2018 (Friend) 2018 (Friend)

PHOTO BY MATTHEW LESTER

Aug. 9, 2018 (Friend)

2018 (Friend) 2018 (Friend) 2018 (Friend) 2018 (Friend)

Jose Mares, July 31, 2018

(Friend)

H OWA R D PAY N E U N I V E R S I T Y

Aug. 7, 2018 (Friend) 2018 (Friend)

10, 2018 (Friend) (Friend)

HPU apologizes for the inadvertent omission of the following from the spring 2018 issue.

Iva Hamilton,

November 28, 2017 (Former Board of Trustees member)

Dr. Fred D. Spencer, July

8, 2018 (Former faculty/ staff)

Dr. Charles F. Thomas,

July 14, 2018 (Former faculty/staff) Cliff Waddell Jr., April 5, 2018 (Friend) Linda Watson, Feb. 24, 2018 (Friend)

L I N K / FA L L 2 0 1 8

31

Alma Mater

High above old Bayou’s waters, out on Center’s heights Stands our noble Alma Mater, towering in her might Keep her colors ever floating, sing her praises due Hail to thee our Alma Mater, hail the Gold and Blue 32

L I N K / FA L L 2 0 1 8

H OWA R D PAY N E U N I V E R S I T Y

HPU Websites

Admission

www.hputx.edu www.hputx.edu/elpaso www.hputx.edu/newbraunfels www.hpusports.com

www.facebook.com/hputxadmissions www.twitter.com/hputxadmissions www.instagram.com/hputxadmissions

Athletics

General HPU Social Media www.facebook.com/hputx www.twitter.com/hputx www.instagram.com/hputx www.youtube.com/hpuadmin

Alumni www.facebook.com/hputxalumni www.twitter.com/hputxalumni www.instagram.com/hputxalumni

www.facebook.com/hpusports www.twitter.com/hpusports www.instagram.com/hpusports www.youtube.com/hpusports

P.O. Box 2369 Brownwood, Texas 76804

STUDENT PERSPECT IV E This photo was taken by Seth Rainey, a senior communication studies major from Gonzales.