Monthly News Archives: December 2016

BROWNWOOD – December 9, 2016 – Ten Howard Payne University students were recently recognized for the successful completion of the university’s Spanish for Law Enforcement course. Each student received a certificate recognizing his or her accomplishment.

Dr. Danny Brunette-López, associate professor of Spanish and chair of the Department of Modern Languages, explained the importance of the course.

“Spanish for Law Enforcement is so necessary in our society today,” he said. “I believe that by knowing a second language, in this case Spanish, many situations faced by law enforcement officers can more quickly come to a peaceful resolution.”

The students learned vocabulary and phrases in Spanish and were taught the importance of establishing trust between members of the community and law enforcement officers.

“The students completed assigned tasks professionally and have worked together as a tight-knit group for the common good,” said Dr. Brunette-López. “I am so proud of what they have accomplished.”

Lynn Humeniuk, director of HPU’s criminal justice program and associate professor of criminal justice and sociology, said a working knowledge of the Spanish language is an important skill that sets these candidates apart from many others entering the law enforcement profession.

“These students are well equipped to handle a wide variety of situations,” she said. “I look forward to seeing the great things they will accomplish in their law enforcement careers.”

The students who completed the course were Derick Boese, sophomore from Mercedes; Sebastian Contreras, senior from Brownwood; Jordan Easterling, junior from Junction; Lorenzo Flores, senior from Brownwood; Matthew Gomez, sophomore from Brownwood; Maria Mireles, junior from Brownwood; Krystal Moreno, junior from Marion; Kyle Ramon, senior from Floresville; Jacob Salazar, junior from Lockhart; and Serayah Smith, junior from Fredericksburg.

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Cutline: Ten HPU students were recognized for the successful completion of the university’s Spanish for Law Enforcement course. Left to right: Kyle Ramon, Sebastian Contreras, Lorenzo Flores, Derick Boese, Matthew Gomez, Jordan Easterling, Jacob Salazar, Serayah Smith, Krystal Moreno and Dr. Danny Brunette-López, associate professor of Spanish and chair of the Department of Modern Languages. Not pictured is Maria Mireles.

By Jimmy Abbatiello, HPU senior

BROWNWOOD – December 7, 2016 – Howard Payne University’s Model United Nations team recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to represent Spain at the National MUN conference, which involved more than 1,000 participants from universities around the world. The team was presented a Distinguished Delegation award, with its representation of Spain among the top 23 percent of the more than 125 countries represented.

HPU students majoring in political science, history, family studies and communication met with others interested in developing possible solutions to world crises through a detailed recreation of the different bodies of the United Nations. MUN conferences have been established around the world, allowing students to learn how the United Nations functions internally and immerse themselves by becoming representatives of countries with views possibly different than their own. Delegates are expected to research their respective countries’ positions on certain subjects and debate from that perspective during formal and informal sessions. The end results are resolutions outlining how to effectively solve current problems which are submitted, debated and voted upon with the same procedures the actual UN utilizes.

Topics discussed in the various councils included the implication of technology on global security, international counterterrorism measures, empowering youth through sustainable development and promoting nuclear safety and security.

“Model United Nations, as always, opens doors for deeper cross-cultural communication,” said Braxton Clark, senior social science major from Southlake. “Learning the viewpoints of foreign students and working with them toward common goals allows us to grow as academics and become more well-rounded global citizens.”

Due to the timing of the conference, the group visited the Capitol in the midst of the presidential election. Some members even witnessed the president-elect’s motorcade as he left his first audience with Senate leadership. The team also was able to tour the facilities of the United States Department of Agriculture, meet and network with legal and communication staff and learn more about the day-to-day work of the executive branch. The delegates explored the major historical and political sites of Washington, D.C., including the National Mall, Library of Congress, National Archives, Smithsonian Museums and Mt. Vernon.

In addition to Clark, team members included Jimmy Abbatiello, senior from Kerrville; Mike Hord, freshman from Montgomery; Augusta Johnson, junior from Gatesville; Joel Justice, junior from Brownwood; Cody Perrin, senior from Eastland; Emma Reed, sophomore from Arlington; Sydney Spencer, senior from Georgetown; Penny Stehlik, freshman from Round Rock; and Caitlin Wood, senior from Miles.

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Cutline: HPU’s Model United Nations team recently received a Distinguished Delegation award at a Washington, D.C., conference. Team members, pictured at the Potomac River making the HPU “sting ’em” gesture, are Cody Perrin, Joel Justice, Mike Hord, Caitlin Wood, Sydney Spencer, Braxton Clark, Penny Stehlik, Jimmy Abbatiello, Emma Reed and Augusta Johnson.