BROWNWOOD – October 31, 2018 – Howard Payne University has changed the venue for its Homecoming bonfire and fireworks display. The event will now take place at the Bert V. Massey II Sports Complex in Brownwood.
The festivities will kick off at 8:45 p.m. on Friday, November 2, with a pep rally. The bonfire will begin at 9 p.m. and the fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
For a complete list of Homecoming 2018 activities, visit www.hputx.edu/homecoming.
BROWNWOOD – October 30, 2018 – Howard Payne University’s Department of Theatre will present “Missing Link” by Jack Sharkey in conjunction with HPU’s Homecoming 2018 festivities. Performances are this Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. each evening at HPU’s Mims Auditorium.
Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for children and students and are available for purchase at the door on the evenings of the performances.
“The story takes place in 1975 and revolves around Lindy Baxter who, 30 years earlier at the age of 16, pledged her eternal love to Lincoln Sinclair,” said Dr. Nancy Jo Humfeld, chair of HPU’s Department of Theatre and professor of theatre. “Link went off to World War II and has not returned so, for 30 years, Lindy has been ‘missing Link.’ After a trip down the stairs, Lindy meets orthopedist, Simon Fletcher, and they eventually decide to marry. Of course, the day before the wedding, guess who shows up! With a convoluted plot and lots of fun action, ‘Missing Link’ can be enjoyed by people of all ages.”
Cast members include Taylor Davis, junior from Alvin; David “Zeke” Frost, freshman from Bertram; Hailey Green, senior from Kennedale; Sara Heinrichs, sophomore from Hico; Michael Hord, sophomore from Montgomery; Bryce McWhirter, junior from Pflugerville; Alek Mendoza, freshman from Bangs; Deejay Moses, junior from May; Laurel Pinkney, sophomore from Carrollton; and Cassia Rose, senior from Winnsboro. Dr. Humfeld is directing the play and additional crew members include Dr. Nicholas Ewen, assistant professor of theatre; Jake Bowren, junior from San Antonio; and Shannon Sheehan, senior from Brownwood.
For more information about “Missing Link,” contact HPU’s School of Music and Fine Arts at 325-649-8500. More than 30 other events are scheduled for HPU’s Homecoming. For complete details and the latest schedule information, visit www.hputx.edu/homecoming or contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 325-649-8007 or via e-mail at alumni@hputx.edu.
###
Cutline: HPU will present “Missing Link” by Jack Sharkey in conjunction with HPU’s Homecoming 2018 festivities. Left to right: Cassia Rose, Alek Mendoza, Michael Hord, Hailey Green, Sara Heinrichs and Deejay Moses. Photo by Katie Cravey, HPU junior.
BROWNWOOD – October 29, 2018 – Dr. Jimmy Garcia of Duncanville has been named the recipient of Howard Payne University’s Dr. José Rivas Distinguished Service Award. He is among eight who will be honored during HPU’s Homecoming 2018 festivities, November 2-3. Additional honorees are listed at www.hputx.edu/homecoming.
He will receive his award during the Hispanic Fellowship Breakfast on Saturday, November 3, beginning at 8 a.m. Dr. Garcia and the other honorees will be recognized during the Alumni & Sports Hall of Fame Banquet on Friday, November 2, beginning at 5:45 p.m. The honorees will also be featured in the Homecoming Parade on November 3 beginning at 10 a.m. Ticket information for the breakfast and banquet and a full schedule of the weekend’s events are available online at www.hputx.edu/homecoming.
Dr. Garcia graduated from HPU in 1971 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Bible and psychology. He went on to earn the Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and completed further graduate studies at Baylor University’s George Truett Seminary. He received the honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from HPU in 2001.
He was licensed to preach by First Baptist Church in Del Rio in 1967 and ordained to the Gospel ministry by First Baptist Church of Miles in 1971. He is an active member of First Baptist Church of Duncanville, at which he teaches Sunday School and chairs the church’s Missions Committee.
Dr. Garcia currently serves as adjunct instructor at Dallas Baptist University and Mountain View College. He has additionally lectured at Truett Theological Seminary and Baptist University of the Americas. He has held pastorates at Primera Iglesia Bautista of Dallas, Calvario Baptist Church of Fort Worth, Calvario Baptist Church of Corsicana and Immanuel Baptist Church of Miles. Additional ministry-related positions include serving as director of missions of the Del Rio-Uvalde Baptist Association, ethnic missions coordinator for the Baptist General Convention of Texas and associate director of missions for the San Antonio Baptist Association.
He has served as a board member for Baptist University of the Americas, Valley Baptist Academy and the Institutional Coordinating Board of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. Additionally with the Baptist General Convention of Texas, he is a member of the Intentional Interim Ministry and the Baptist Distinctive Counsel. He also served as chair of the nominating committee for the Hispanic Baptist Convention of Texas.
Dr. Garcia and his wife, Dolores Garcia, have three children and three grandchildren.
###
Cutline: Dr. Jimmy Garcia of Duncanville has been named the recipient of HPU’s Dr. José Rivas Distinguished Service Award.
BROWNWOOD – October 29, 2018 – Marvin “Doc” Utecht of Garland has been named to Howard Payne University’s Sports Hall of Fame. He is among eight who will be honored during HPU’s Homecoming 2018 festivities, November 2-3. Additional honorees are listed at www.hputx.edu/homecoming.
Utecht and the other honorees will be recognized during the Alumni & Sports Hall of Fame Banquet on Friday, November 2, beginning at 5:45 p.m. The honorees will also be featured in the Homecoming Parade on Saturday, November 3, beginning at 10 a.m. Ticket information for the banquet and a full schedule of the weekend’s events are available online at www.hputx.edu/homecoming.
Utecht graduated from HPU in 1970 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. He went on to complete a Master of Education degree from Stephen F. Austin University and received his Mid-Management Certification from East Texas State University (now Texas A&M University – Commerce).
At HPU, he was a four-year basketball letterman (1965-1969), a track letterman for two years (1969-1970) and a letterman on the football team during the 1969 season. He played basketball for Coach Glen Whitis and was an integral player on some of the most recognized teams in HPU history. The 6’7” Utecht was a great shooter, known for his leaping ability.
During his basketball career, the Yellow Jackets won the Lone Star Conference championship and the teams on which he played were nationally ranked in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). After completing his eligibility in basketball, he joined the track team for the 1969 season participating in the javelin, hurdles and jumping events. He won numerous times and set the HPU record in the javelin. Utecht also set a record in the 440 intermediate hurdles with a time of 52.3.
He went on to compete at the national level at the 1970 NAIA National Championships in Billings, Montana, where he competed in the ten-event decathlon. Utecht earned the honor of being fourth in the nation just behind the eventual Olympic champion, Bruce Jenner. During that decathlon event, he broke a NAIA decathlon record in the 110-meter high hurdles with a time of 14.8.
Utecht also joined the football team during his fifth year at HPU, lettering as a wide receiver.
He has served as a teacher, administrator and as an assistant superintendent at various school districts in Texas and coached high school football, basketball, track and golf. In 2001, he retired from Garland ISD as the executive director of building and construction. He then went on to serve on the Dallas Appraisal District for Dallas County for 10 years.
“I came to HPU as a very shy young man with few experiences beyond the small town in which I lived all my life,” he said. “College opened up a whole new world of possibilities and, for the first time, I could see myself having an opportunity to be whatever I chose to be. My HPU coaches helped me to become the leader for students who I would teach and coach in the future years as I became an educator.”
He and his wife, Julie Utecht, attend First Baptist Church of Garland. They have two children and five grandchildren.
###
Cutline: Marvin “Doc” Utecht of Garland has been named to HPU’s Sports Hall of Fame.
BROWNWOOD – October 26, 2018 – Howard Payne University’s School of Music and Fine Arts will present a Homecoming choir concert at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 3, in the university’s Mims Auditorium. All HPU alumni choristers are invited to participate in the program.
During the concert, the alumni choir will present Mack Wilberg’s arrangement of “Simple Gifts” and then join the HPU Concert Choir for “The Majesty and Glory of Your Name” by Tom Fettke. The HPU Concert Choir will also present selections from its upcoming fall program titled Ketubah: Feast of the Bridegroom. Rehearsal for alumni choir concert will take place Saturday, November 3, from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. in Mims Auditorium. Alumni who are interested in participating will be provided music and more information upon registration.
“HPU’s choral program has a rich heritage and the audience is in for a real treat,” said Dr. Christopher Rosborough ’08, assistant professor of music and director of choral activities. “We look forward to seeing different generations joining in song.”
If you are interested in taking part in this event, register at www.hputx.edu/homecoming and follow the prompts to sign up for the HPU alumni choir. Information about additional HPU Homecoming festivities is located at the same web address.
###
Cutline: HPU’s Dr. Christopher Rosborough directs student and alumni choristers during the Homecoming 2017 choir concert.
BROWNWOOD – October 26, 2018 – James Williamson of Kerrville has been named to Howard Payne University’s Sports Hall of Fame. He is among eight who will be honored during HPU’s Homecoming 2018 festivities, November 2-3. Additional honorees are listed at www.hputx.edu/homecoming.
Williamson and the other honorees will be recognized during the Alumni & Sports Hall of Fame Banquet on Friday, November 2, beginning at 5:45 p.m. The honorees will also be featured in the Homecoming Parade on Saturday, November 3, beginning at 10 a.m. Ticket information for the banquet and a full schedule of the weekend’s events are available online at www.hputx.edu/homecoming.
Williamson graduated from HPU in 1970 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science. He was a student in HPU’s Douglas MacArthur Academy of Freedom (now the Guy D. Newman Honors Academy) and was active in student government, serving terms as class president and class treasurer. He was also a Student Supreme Court member and a Democracy in Action committee member, and he represented HPU at the Dallas Council on World Affairs. Additionally, he was listed in the “Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities” publication and in the “Outstanding College Athletes of America” publication.
Williamson, a four-year football letterman, was a record-setting punter for the HPU Yellow Jackets. In an era before specialized kickers, Williamson went on to hold Lone Star Conference records in punting in 1966, 1967 and 1968. During his freshman year at HPU, he was named “Texas Punter of the Year” by the Dallas Morning News and in 1966-67 was named the “All-Texas Punter of the Year.” During his senior year in 1969, he had the longest punt in the history of HPU (79 yards). This record was not broken until 2012.
Williamson’s punting average was among the top in the nation every year. He holds HPU’s single-season punting average record of 45.5 yards per punt (58 attempts) set in 1967. He also holds the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics national record for total number of punts (277) and total yardage (11,849).
He signed a free-agent contract with the New Orleans Saints in June 1970. He also played the 1972 season with the Omaha Mustangs, a semi-pro team, booting 13 punts 568 yards, setting a league record with an average of 43.5 yards.
Williamson is a past member of the Guy D. Newman Honors Academy Board of Directors and served as president of HPU’s Alumni Association. He created the James L. Williamson Endowed Scholarship for students in HPU’s School of Business.
“HPU prepared me for future successes by instilling in me a respect for the Constitution, love of our country and honor for our military,” he said. “I learned right from wrong and was taught that work is good and giving is too.”
In addition to a stint as HPU’s vice president for development, Williamson has served many years in the insurance field. He and his wife, Jeanie Lambert Williamson, celebrated 50 years of marriage in May 2018. They have three children and six grandchildren.
###
Cutline: James Williamson of Kerrville has been named to HPU’s Sports Hall of Fame.
BROWNWOOD – October 25, 2018 – Dr. Benjamin Abraham of Snellville, Georgia, has been named Howard Payne University’s Homecoming 2018 Distinguished Alumnus. He is among eight who will be honored during HPU’s Homecoming 2018 festivities, November 2-3. Additional honorees are listed at www.hputx.edu/homecoming.
Dr. Abraham and the other honorees will be recognized during the Alumni & Sports Hall of Fame Banquet on Friday, November 2, beginning at 5:45 p.m. The honorees will also be featured in the Homecoming Parade on Saturday, November 3, beginning at 10 a.m. Ticket information for the banquet and a full schedule of the weekend’s events are available online at www.hputx.edu/homecoming.
Originally from Indonesia, Dr. Abraham earned the Bachelor of Arts degree in biology with a minor in chemistry from HPU in 1974. He went on to study at The University of Texas at Arlington and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He earned the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.
He is board-certified by the Osteopathic Board of Family Practice in Geriatrics, the American Medical Directors Association for Medical Directorship and the American Osteopathic Board of Family Practice. He is currently in private practice in Georgia.
Dr. Abraham serves on a number of committees and professional societies. He is the founder and president of 127 Legacy Foundation, which assists orphanages and children’s homes across Indonesia. He has also served as a short-term missionary in Ecuador, Peru, Argentina, Russia, China, Senegal and Tanzania.
His recognitions include the Master Preceptor Award from American Osteopathic Family Physicians, Physician of the Year by the Gwinnett County Chamber of Commerce, Physician of the Year at Eastside Medical Center and The Humanitarian Award by the Hospital Corporation of America.
He has four children, five grandchildren and two foster grandchildren.
“HPU equipped me with basic knowledge to pursue my passion in medicine,” he said. “Coming from Indonesia, the English language was a challenge and HPU helped with that. The university challenged me to be the best through determination, perseverance, discipline, dedication and hard work. The rest was God’s doing.”
###
Cutline: Dr. Benjamin Abraham of Snellville, Georgia, has been named HPU’s Homecoming 2018 Distinguished Alumnus.
BROWNWOOD – October 25, 2018 – Howard Payne University has announced its 2018 Homecoming Court. The Homecoming queen and princess will be crowned next Friday, November 2, at 2 p.m. during Homecoming Convocation in the university’s Mims Auditorium.
Homecoming queen nominees are seniors Sabrina Martinez of San Antonio, Angelica Ramirez of Austin and Gabrielle Roque of Houston. Princess nominees are Amanda Collins of New Orleans, Jada Jones of Cibolo and Sarah Ramos of Pflugerville.
Sabrina Martinez is the daughter of retired Major Paul A. Martinez and Yvonne E. Martinez. An elementary education major, Martinez’ campus involvement includes the Delta Chi Rho sorority.
Angelica Ramirez, the daughter of Jesus L. Ramirez I and Kimberly Ramirez, is a biology major. She serves as chaplain for Delta Chi Rho and Tri Beta and is a Student Government Association senior senator, a resident assistant and a college outreach intern at Coggin Avenue Baptist Church.
Gabriella Roque, the daughter of Cris Roque and Ruby Robinson, is a biology major. She is vice president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and a member of the HPU softball team. Additionally, she volunteers through the Special Olympics and at an animal hospital.
Amanda Collins is the daughter of Wayne Smith and the late Rhonda Collins. An elementary education major, Collins’ campus involvement includes Chi Alpha Omega and Jacket Journey.
Jada Jones is the daughter of Kenneth and Carla Matthews and Mr. and Mrs. Dwight Jones. A biology major, Jones is active with Chi Alpha Omega and the HPU women’s basketball team.
Sarah Ramos, the daughter of Eric and Anna Ramos, is a business management major. Her campus involvement includes Delta Chi Rho, Jacket Ambassadors and Student Activities Council. Additionally, she serves as a Jacket Journey leader and as a student worker in HPU’s Office of Admission.
The Homecoming Court will be featured during the halftime show of the football game as HPU takes on Southwestern University on Saturday, November 3. The game begins at 4 p.m. at Gordon Wood Stadium.
For a complete list of Homecoming 2018 activities, visit www.hputx.edu/homecoming.
###
Cutline: Howard Payne University’s 2018 Homecoming Court includes (top row, left to right) Angelica Ramirez, Gabrielle Roque and Sabrina Martinez and (bottom row, left to right) Jada Jones, Amanda Collins and Sarah Ramos.
BROWNWOOD – October 25, 2018 – Hope Hohertz Doremus of Sterling City has been named Howard Payne University’s Homecoming 2018 Outstanding Young Graduate. She is among eight who will be honored during HPU’s Homecoming 2018 festivities, November 2-3. Additional honorees are listed at www.hputx.edu/homecoming.
Doremus and the other honorees will be recognized during the Alumni & Sports Hall of Fame Banquet on Friday, November 2, beginning at 5:45 p.m. The honorees will also be featured in the Homecoming Parade on Saturday, November 3, beginning at 10 a.m. Ticket information for the banquet and a full schedule of the weekend’s events are available online at www.hputx.edu/homecoming.
Doremus graduated from HPU in 2010 with a degree in criminal justice and psychology. While at the university, she was a four-year member of the women’s basketball team, playing on HPU’s 2007-2008 national championship team. She and her teammates were inducted into the HPU Sports Hall of Fame and the American Southwest Conference Hall of Honor. Additionally, she was involved with intramural sports and was an honorary member of the Iota Chi Alpha fraternity.
As a corporal within the Texas Department of Public Safety, Doremus was awarded the Texas DPS Medal of Valor for the courageous and exemplary manner in which she discharged her law enforcement duties during a violent and life-threatening confrontation. According to a later Brownwood Bulletin report, Doremus received the medal for her professional reaction and unselfish devotion to duty and to a wounded fellow officer, while she herself was at great risk, during an incident that occurred in 2016. Additionally, Doremus was a finalist for the IACP/Motorola Solutions Trooper of the Year Award.
“Howard Payne showed me how to build relationships and how to handle tough life decisions and adversity,” she said. “The success and hard work – from the basketball court to the classroom – has helped drive me to become the best I can be in my career.”
She and her husband, Brandon Doremus, have one son.
###
Cutline: Hope Hohertz Doremus of Sterling City has been named HPU’s Homecoming 2018 Outstanding Young Graduate.
BROWNWOOD – October 24, 2018 – Howard Payne University’s Department of Art is exhibiting “Contemporary Vanitas,” pastel still-life drawings by David E. Harmon, department chair and professor of art. The exhibition is open now through November 3 in the Dorothy and Wendell Mayes Art Gallery, located in HPU’s Doakie Day Art Center.
Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Fridays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The gallery will be open extended hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. throughout HPU’s Homecoming weekend, Friday, November 2, and Saturday, November 3.
Vanitas is a genre of still-life painting, popular in the Netherlands in the early 17th century. Harmon’s modern vanitas have been created from a Christian perspective, drawn from his experiences, favorite Bible verses and thoughts about life.
“Most of the works were created out of my personal experiences, but I encourage viewers to take the time for self-reflection and ponder what the drawings may mean to their own lives,” he said.
For more information about the exhibition, contact HPU’s School of Music and Fine Arts at 325-649-8500. A complete list of Homecoming 2018 activities is located at www.hputx.edu/homecoming.
###
Cutline: David Harmon, professor of art and chair of HPU’s Department of Art, poses with artwork from his “Contemporary Vanitas” exhibition. Photo by Katie Cravey, HPU junior.
