BROWNWOOD – October 3, 2017 – Howard Payne University alumni, friends, students, personnel and guests from the community are destined for a memory-filled weekend as The Yellow Jacket Express – Homecoming 2017 arrives on campus. The train-themed weekend, October 20-21, features more than 30 events, many of which will appeal to the entire community.
Alumni and visitors may register for Homecoming events online. Some events require purchased tickets while many are free of charge. For complete details and the latest schedule information, visit www.hputx.edu/homecoming or contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 325-649-8044 or via e-mail at alumni@hputx.edu.
Laura Benoit, HPU’s director of alumni relations, said she is looking forward to the many events scheduled on campus and around town.
“Of particular interest this year is our bonfire and fireworks display, which many from the community enjoyed last year,” she said. “We’re excited to bring it back, and this year the event will take place at the Bert V. Massey II Sports Complex.”
The bonfire and fireworks display begin at 9 p.m. on Friday, October 20. The sports complex is located at 2301 Dickman Drive in Brownwood, near the Camp Bowie Aquatic Center.
Additional events are highlighted below.
Performances of “The Pirates of Penzance” will be held in Mims Auditorium on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. each evening. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students and children. Tickets may be purchased through the Homecoming website or at the door on the evenings of the performances. Those who purchase tickets online for Thursday’s performance should contact the Office of Alumni Relations prior to the event at 325-649-8044.
HPU’s Walker Memorial Library will open its Archival Display and Treasure Room to the public Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 8:15 a.m. to noon.
“Self-Curated 2 Exhibition,” the artwork of the Brownwood Art Association, will be exhibited in the Dorothy and Wendell Mayes Art Gallery located inside HPU’s Doakie Day Art Center. Gallery hours during Homecoming weekend are Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Golden Graduate Luncheon honoring the Class of 1967, sponsored by Wendlee Broadcasting, will be held Friday from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Richard and Wanda Jackson Conference Room of the university’s Paul and Jane Meyer Faith and Life Leadership Center.
The Booksaw Off the Rails Escape Room, hosted by the Walker Memorial Library, is scheduled Friday, 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The Homecoming Court will be presented during Homecoming Convocation at 2 p.m. on Friday in Mims Auditorium.
The Alumni and Sports Hall of Fame Banquet will be held Friday from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Beadel Dining Hall of the Mabee University Center. During the banquet, the Homecoming 2017 honorees will be recognized. Doors open at 5:45 p.m.
Following the banquet on Friday will be Cobbler on the Campus sponsored by Underwood’s Cafeteria. This event begins at 7:30 p.m. at HPU’s Muse Plaza and Mall.
Friday evening will conclude with a bonfire and fireworks display (time and location listed above).
The Alumni Association Remembrance and Reflection, a time designated to gather in memory of alumni who have passed away, will take place at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday at HPU’s Muse Plaza and Mall by the statue.
Saturday morning’s Decades Breakfast begins at 8 a.m. During this time, alumni are invited to reunite with friends from their class decades in the Beadel Dining Hall of the Mabee University Center. Also at 8 a.m. on Saturday will be the Class of 1972 45th Reunion Breakfast in the dining hall, the Hispanic Fellowship Breakfast in Bullion Suite A of the Mabee University Center and the Letterman’s Breakfast in Bullion Suite C.
The Homecoming Parade, sponsored by Bruner Auto Group, begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday morning. The parade will begin at the Brownwood Coliseum, travel down Center Ave. and end at the university’s Doakie Day Art Center. The best areas to view the parade are downtown and on campus along Center Avenue.
Little Jackets’ Nest, sponsored by Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce, featuring games and other free activities for children, will be held from 10:45 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Muse Plaza and Mall.
A Family Picnic Lunch, sponsored by Visit Early Texas, will be held from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Muse Plaza and Mall and Beadel Dining Hall.
HPU’s School of Music and Fine Arts will present a Choir Concert at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday in the university’s Mims Auditorium.
A variety of departmental and student-organization receptions will be held Saturday afternoon from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Richard and Wanda Jackson Conference Room of the Paul and Jane Meyer Faith and Life Leadership Center.
A pep rally will be held prior to the football game, beginning at 3 p.m., at Festival Park at Gordon Wood Stadium. Additionally, all HPU classes are invited to participate in a tailgate event featuring snacks and beverages. A reception for the African-American Alumni Chapter will also be held as a tailgate event at this time.
The HPU Yellow Jacket football team will play Sul Ross State University at 4:00 p.m. Saturday at Gordon Wood Stadium.
A variety of reunions, athletic events and other events will be held throughout the weekend. A complete schedule of events and ticket prices are available online at www.hputx.edu/homecoming.
In addition to the sponsors mentioned above, HPU thanks the following business for their support: Willie’s T’s (Homecoming t-shirt sponsor), Marsh & McLennan Agency, Mills County State Bank, Dr Pepper Bottling, United Supermarkets, Citizens National Bank, Down Home Digital, Early Blooms & Things, Painter & Johnson Financial, PF&E Oil Company, Porter Insurance Agency, TexasBank, John Woolsey Ice House, and Smith & Sharpe Insurance Agencies.