By Eric Eckery
For more than 135 years, the Howard Payne University story has been told by the lives and journeys of its students, alumni, faculty and staff.
Those journeys begin with Jesus.
Within minutes of checking in on Move-In Day, new students and their families are greeted by HPU alumni and given a gift. The gift is a Bible, personalized with each student’s name.
The giving of the Bible is followed by a prayer – a prayer that the students will know Jesus and discover God’s calling on their lives during their time on campus.
The prayer also represents a promise that Howard Payne students will be presented with daily opportunities to encounter Christ, that they’ll be challenged and encouraged by faculty and staff who know their name and care for them, and that they’ll be equipped to use their God-given gifts and talents to serve others.
“Howard Payne University is distinct because we do not waiver in our commitment to Jesus Christ and our commitment to prepare students for a life of meaning and service to others,” said Dr. Cory Hines, ’97, HPU president. “It’s a place where students can come and learn in a safe and healthy environment; where they engage with faculty and staff who challenge them, pray for them and truly care about them and their success; and where they have the opportunity to meet Jesus and discover His calling on their lives.”
ROOTED IN CHRIST.
The decision to establish a college in Brownwood, Texas, was made by members of the Pecan Valley Baptist Association during a meeting on June 29, 1889.
Once the new Board of Trustees was tasked to launch the college, it was later reported that the following months were filled with “untiring labor and devout prayer.”
The labor and prayers continue today.
At Howard Payne, faith and learning come together in the classroom. Faculty, coaches and mentors invest in their students and pray for them. Throughout campus, lifelong friends are made, and in weekly Chapel services, the entire campus community gathers to worship.
“Prayer has always been an integral part of campus life,” said Megan Key, HPU’s director of prayer ministry, a new office launched this fall. “We want to continually build on this foundation as we unite in prayer for our students and campus community. We praise God for all He has done for Howard Payne and trust Him for all He will continue to do in the days, weeks, months and years ahead.”
SHAPED BY DISCOVERY.
Howard Payne staff and faculty work hard to offer an experience that prepares students academically, socially and spiritually.
It’s in the classrooms, the labs and the library that students are challenged by their professors and each other. It’s where they engage in debate; make scientific discoveries; have real-world, hands-on experiences; and network with career professionals.
“The classroom experience is rigorous,” said Dr. Nathan Lane, vice president for academic affairs. “It’s the place where students are introduced to new concepts and wrestle with new ideas. It’s where knowledge is expanded and students see firsthand how faith is integrated into career and calling. Our prayer is that the HPU academic experience prepares and equips our students to take the next steps after graduation and lead lives of service to others.”
Throughout campus – in the residence halls, on the athletic and recreation fields, in the dining areas, in Chapel – students find an encouraging community designed with their success in mind.
“As we walk alongside students in their journey at HPU, we’re devoted to creating a student experience where students have fun, make lasting memories and are supported in a safe, Christian environment,” said Dr. Nathan Penland, vice president for student experience.
SENT TO SERVE.
When students walk across the stage at Commencement, it signifies the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.
The next chapter is where students continue to use their gifts to serve those around them.
Across the globe, Howard Payne University alumni are serving others – in their workplaces, homes, churches and communities.
“It’s truly exciting to see where God takes our alumni and how He’s using them to make an impact for His kingdom,” said Lindsay Badgeley ’09, director of alumni relations. “Something we see time and time again is that HPU graduates, no matter where they land as professionals, are often known for their service. They could be teachers, coaches, CEOs, ministers, artists, scientists – but they serve faithfully in the vocation to which God has called them.”
FEATURED ON THE BUTTONS BELOW ARE PROFILES OF SELECTED MEMBERS OF THE HPU FAMILY, EXPLAINING WHAT THESE ASPECTS OF HPU’S PROMISE MEAN TO THEM.
Use the link below to view the digital version of the current Link, as well as past issues of the magazine.
