Monthly News Archives: December 2012

HPU’s Penny University ministry brings together a community of learners

By Rachel Ellington, HPU freshman

BROWNWOOD – December 18, 2012 – At Howard Payne University, there are many exciting organizations with which to get involved. One of the most popular choices is the Baptist Student Ministry (BSM), which has many opportunities for students including one of the newest ministries, Penny University.

Penny University is “a habitat for conversation,” says ministry leader Mary Vasquez, a sophomore from Blanket. It is an informal gathering where students and faculty can come together to discuss and ask questions about a broad range of topics concerning them as Christian members of society. For each topic being discussed, an HPU professor who is knowledgeable on the subject is asked to join the conversation. Anyone on campus or even from the community is welcome to attend.

Penny University began during the spring semester of 2012, when Keith Platte, BSM director, was listening to a podcast discussing different fun facts about coffee. One of these facts happened to be about 18th-century coffee shops in England called “penny universities.” These establishments were places where people would pay a penny to drink coffee, share ideas and learn from each other freely. Penny universities were unique because, in the midst of a socially divided society, the customers were from a wide range of backgrounds. The main patrons, however, were students from the local universities. HPU’s BSM leadership team hopes to create this same kind of informal learning community. The main goals of Penny University are growth, discipleship and evangelism.

The ministry will continue in the spring 2013 semester. Dates and times will be announced when finalized. For more information about HPU’s Penny University or other BSM ministries, contact Keith Platte at (325) 649-8319 or via e-mail at kplatte@hputx.edu.

###

Photo cutline: Dr. Art Allen, professor of Christian studies at HPU, center, leads a discussion for the BSM’s Penny University during the fall 2012 semester. Students pictured are David Stippick, left, a junior from Brownwood, and Mary Vasquez, a sophomore from Blanket. Photo by Jes Miera, HPU junior.

HPU faculty and staff support Hope Home Ministry

BROWNWOOD – December 18, 2012 – Howard Payne University recently presented a gift of $800 to Hope Home Ministry of Brownwood. The funds were collected during the annual President’s Christmas Reception for HPU faculty and staff.

Founded by Chassidy Carroll and Beka Mullins, both 2008 HPU graduates, Hope Home is a faith-based transitional home for young women who are released from juvenile correctional facilities. The program focuses on teaching girls the life skills they need to become responsible adults and giving them true hope through a growing relationship with Jesus.

For more information about the organization, visit www.hopehomeministry.org.

###

Photo cutline: Dr. Bill Ellis, HPU president, presents a gift representing an $800 donation to Chassidy Carroll, co-founder and program director of Hope Home Ministry of Brownwood.

Community invited to learn more about HPU’s MBA degree offered in New Braunfels

BROWNWOOD – December 18, 2012 – Those who may be interested in pursuing a Master of Business Administration degree from Howard Payne University in New Braunfels are invited to attend a free informational session on Monday, Jan. 7, at 6:00 p.m. The one-hour event will be held at the Aflac Suite located on the second floor at 1259 Loop 337 N., New Braunfels, TX, 78131.

MBA coursework will be offered in New Braunfels beginning in mid-January, pending final approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Designed to work around busy schedules, the MBA degree can be achieved in as few as 12 months, with all courses offered at night and on weekends.

“We hope that New Braunfels and the surrounding communities will attend this special informational session for a chance to learn more about this educational opportunity,” said Dr. Les Plagens, dean of HPU’s School of Business. “We look forward to getting to know our prospective students and answer any questions they may have.”

Though the program has a business core, it also includes courses such as organizational communication and psychological applications, designed to add a deeper understanding of practical skills to business and management applications. Prerequisite self-study course work is available for non-business undergraduates entering the program.

HPU began offering courses in New Braunfels in the fall 2012 semester. Until the permanent campus structure is constructed as part of the new Veramendi project, courses are being offered at the Aflac Suite, New Braunfels High School and online.

Dale Meinecke, assistant vice president for external programs and church relations, oversees enrollment services and development of the New Braunfels campus.

“It’s been such a joy to meet so many wonderful folks here in New Braunfels,” he said. “We are so excited to have Howard Payne University be a part of the community and to serve the area with a quality Master of Business Administration degree program.”

For more information about the MBA program, visit www.hputx.edu/mba or call (325) 649-8704. To learn more about HPU’s New Braunfels Center, visit www.hputx.edu/newbraunfels or call (325) 649-8023.

###

HPU’s Mustache Wheel of Doom raises money for missions

BROWNWOOD – December 17, 2012 – Howard Payne University’s Baptist Student Ministry recently completed the fall 2012 semester with the annual “Mustache Wheel of Doom” fundraiser. The popular event raised $3,513 for missions and left several HPU men with attention-getting facial hair throughout final exams week.

Teams of students, along with their faculty and staff sponsors, spent the month of November growing beards while collecting money for the Baptist General Convention of Texas’ Go Now Missions. Go Now sends students from universities across Texas, including HPU, to mission fields around the world.

The teams that raised the least amount of money spun the “Mustache Wheel of Doom” and shaved in whichever style the wheel determined. The choices included stripes, half-beards, “No-Tee Goatees” and more.

“One of the great things about the Mustache Wheel of Doom is that, as an event that is seen by many people on campus, it is also generating interest about the opportunity for our students to take part in Go Now Missions,” said Keith Platte, BSM director. “In growing beards, collecting money and shaving, we generate a lot of interest from people who are curious about what the money goes toward and that interest gives an opportunity to either sign up for Go Now Missions as a summer missionary or for our students to share the gospel with them.”

The winning team collected $2,226 and avoided spinning the wheel. Team members were Corgan Andrews, a junior from Paradise; Michael Ballejo, a sophomore from Brownwood; Luke Brown, a freshman from Center; Kyle Hamlin, a senior from Palacios; Javier Luna, a freshman from El Paso; Lawrence Martinez, a freshman from Pflugerville; Anthony McCarson, a freshman from San Angelo; Quinton Poe, a junior from Dripping Springs; Paul Warren, a junior from Salado; Jared Weaver, a junior from Comanche; and Zach White, a freshman from Georgetown.

Other participating students included Bracken Bean, a junior from Brady; Carl Bromley, a junior from Tomball; Reid Burkett, a December graduate from Georgetown; Carson Burns, a sophomore from Abilene; Ryan Colvin, a senior from Austin; Colton Curry, a senior from Lubbock; Dillon Doty, a sophomore from Balch Springs; Timmy Emery, a freshman from Brady; Ben Finlayson, a sophomore from Lubbock; Trent Gainey, a junior from Kermit; Gabe Garza, a sophomore from San Antonio; Rick Henderson, a freshman from Boyd; Philip Jorgensen, a December graduate from Richardson; Xavier McFalls, a freshman from Amarillo; Sam Powers, a junior from Brownwood; Zach Quinteros, a sophomore from Early; Cole Rhoades, a senior from Sweetwater; Louis Robles, a freshman from Florence; Garrett Sadler, a junior from Stephenville; Josh Snow, a senior from Waxahachie; Chris Thompson, a senior from Roanoke; James Timmons, a senior from Universal City; Jordan Villanueva, a senior from Azle; and Brandon Yost, a sophomore from Roseville, Calif.

Faculty and staff sponsors included Platte; Mike Daub, associate professor of accounting; Dr. Brent Marsh, vice president for student life and dean of students; Tyler Sellers, associate dean of students and director of student activities; Shawn Shreves, associate professor of computer information systems; and Jake Sneath, residence hall director for Taylor Hall.

###

Photo cutlines: Jake Sneath, residence hall director for Taylor Hall, prepares to spin the Mustache Wheel of Doom.

Senior James Timmons shows off his new half-beard look.

Senior Jordan Villanueva had his beard shaved into stripes after he spun the Mustache Wheel of Doom.

HPU’s Death and Dying course prepares students for life

By Courtney Wilmoth, HPU senior

BROWNWOOD – December 14, 2012 – The name is sure to get attention – “Death and Dying.” Then one may wonder what a class called Death and Dying is like – perhaps morbid, definitely somber, maybe even depressing. Even so, Howard Payne University’s 8 a.m. class this fall reached the maximum enrollment and even had a waiting list.

Lynn Humeniuk, associate professor of sociology and chair of the criminal justice program, teaches the class. She points out that the required textbook is titled Death & Dying, Life & Living. Students look at life every day during the class. They examine trends and processes of how and when dying occurs within ethnicities and around the world.

Humeniuk can remember the first time she was asked to teach the class in 2001.

“I was not happy about it,” she said. “I thought no one would talk.”

More than 40 students enrolled in the class, and before long Humeniuk was having them raise their hands so everyone could have a chance to speak. This was her seventh semester to teach the class, and she passionately believes every student should take it.

Her goal for the class is to prepare students to cope with sudden as well as anticipated death. No matter the career a student chooses, Humeniuk also seeks to relate the material in ways that will apply to a student’s career path.

Students are required to write journals, based on topics provided by Humeniuk.

“I learn a lot about my students through their journals,” she said.

Senior communication major Molly Marriott of Corpus Christi decided to take the class because she heard from her peers that it was interesting. She soon found the journals to be beneficial.

“It’s a good way to learn a lot about ourselves and how we would handle things,” Marriott said.

A number of guest speakers shared their own experiences with death. They included parents of children lost to suicide, automobile accidents and fires, as well as while traveling abroad. The class also heard from a couple who is dealing with a brain tumor and people who work in hospice care. Students visited a funeral home and volunteered at Greenleaf Cemetery in Brownwood during the semester, completing tasks such as distributing flags to veterans’ graves, trimming weeds around tombstones and assisting with office work.

Junior criminal justice major Daniel Taylor of Florence enjoyed the Greenleaf Cemetery project.

“I felt it allowed me to do something meaningful for others who have passed before me,” he said.

Along with the traditional lectures, guest speakers and volunteer work, Humeniuk shared her own personal stories about death and encouraged students to maintain healthy lifestyles. She regularly presented students with preventive measures to take care of their own bodies, discussed the value of nutrition and encouraged students to keep others safe, using videos that address texting and driving.

Humeniuk says issues of eternal life do come up in class, and she is thankful to work at a Christian university where conversations like this can happen. Students learn from each other, and honesty and respect are valued during class discussions.

“You’re going to get three hours of credit,” she said, “but you’re going to get a lot more than that.”

Link, Fall 2012

Give yourself the gift of an HPU graduate education this holiday season

BROWNWOOD – December 10, 2012 – This Christmas, Howard Payne University is encouraging people from Brownwood and beyond to give themselves the gift of a master’s education from HPU. The university offers four master’s degree programs, with a new semester beginning January 15.

The newest graduate program at HPU, the Master of Arts in Theology and Ministry, will provide preparation for those who will minister to people through the local church and other related ministries, as well as provide a foundation for further graduate theological education. The 42-hour, non-thesis program is designed to be accessible to ministry students who are currently serving in locations away from the Brownwood area, and relocation is not required.

The second master’s option from HPU’s School of Christian Studies is the Master of Arts in Youth Ministry. This program provides preparation for those who will minister to teenagers and their families through the local church and other related ministries. The curriculum contains a combination of courses that emphasize biblical, theological and practical application. Like the Master of Arts in Theology and Ministry degree, the 42-hour, non-thesis program is designed to work with the schedules of those serving away from the Brownwood area.

Those who are interested in becoming a school principal in the State of Texas are encouraged to apply to HPU’s Master of Education in Instructional Leadership program. With a 100 percent online delivery, this 30-hour, non-thesis degree allows students to attain their professional goals and advance their careers on their own schedule.

HPU’s Master of Business Administration degree is also designed to work around busy schedules. All courses are offered at night and on weekends and the 30-hour, non-thesis program can be completed in as few as 12 months. HPU’s MBA program concentrates on equipping students for future leadership roles, while also aiding them in their current careers.

For more information about HPU’s master’s programs, or any of the more than 100 undergraduate majors, minors and pre-professional programs, visit www.hputx.edu or call the university’s Office of Admission at 1-800-880-4478 or 325-649-8020.

HPU’s December Commencement scheduled for Saturday

BROWNWOOD – December 6, 2011 – Howard Payne University will hold its Commencement ceremony this Saturday, Dec. 8, at the Brownwood Coliseum beginning at 10 a.m.

Dr. Bill Ellis, university president, and other university representatives will confer 90 bachelor’s degrees. Additionally, the university will graduate two students from the Master of Arts in Youth Ministry program as well as the first four students to complete the Master of Business Administration program. Dr. David Hardage, executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, will deliver the charge to the graduates.

Additional program participants include: Rev. Bruce Ammons, associate membership and ministry pastor of Parkway Fellowship, Katy/Richmond; Corey Ash ’92, director of bands and associate professor of music; Dr. Donnie Auvenshine ’75, dean of the School of Christian Studies and professor of Christian studies; Phillip Karl Bertrand, member of the graduating class; Rev. Lisa Burkett, minister to children at Crestview Baptist Church, Georgetown; Dr. Gregory Church, associate professor of music; David Cozart ’96, president of the Alumni Association; Dr. Justin Murphy, dean of the School of Humanities, professor of history and director of the Academy of Freedom; Dr. Lois Patton, director of the graduate program in business administration and professor of business administration; Dr. Les Plagens, dean of the School of Business and professor of business administration; Carter Sharpe, second vice chairman of the Board of Trustees; Dr. W. Mark Tew, provost and chief academic officer; Lana Wagner ’97, registrar; Dr. Elizabeth Wallace ’71, faculty president and professor of music; Dr. Russell Wheelington, associate professor of Christian studies; and the HPU Instrumental Ensemble.

###