News Archives: President's Office

BROWNWOOD – April 2, 2019 – For the first day on a new job, most people might prefer a relatively light schedule with plenty of time to get acclimated to new surroundings. However, Dr. Cory Hines, Howard Payne University’s energetic new president, had looked at the blank schedule for what would be his first official eight hours and promptly planned a day full of meetings. April 1 was his first day in office, but he was actually in his office for just a little while.

“There will be time to finish unpacking later,” Dr. Hines said. “I couldn’t wait to begin getting connected to the life of our campus and community.”

Dr. Hines, a 1997 graduate of HPU, is eager to build relationships and promote his alma mater. He was so ready to get started that he came to campus the weekend of March 23, ahead of actually taking office, so he could participate in a preview event for prospective students and their families, attend a meeting of the Alumni Association Board of Directors and enjoy performances at Spring Sing, HPU’s annual event featuring musical productions by student organizations. Then, on his first official day, he spent several hours at HPU’s Mabee University Center with various groups of HPU personnel and representatives from Brownwood and Early. At noon, he had lunch with HPU students in the university’s dining hall. On his way back to his office toward the end of the day, he even tried his hand at Jacket Golf – a popular HPU Yellow Jackets pastime played with golf clubs and tennis balls – after being invited to join some students in the midst of a game.

“As I begin my duties as HPU’s president, the most important item on my agenda is to get to know the people around us so I can hear what’s on their hearts and visit about how we can build strong, vital relationships,” Dr. Hines said. “This first day was an important step. I look forward to getting to know more and more people as we move ahead at our main campus and extension centers.”

In his conversations with the people he meets, he enthusiastically shares what HPU has to offer.

“I want our alumni to know that this is still the same university they know and love, and they play an important role in its ongoing vitality,” he said. “I want parents to know HPU is a safe place and they can trust HPU with their kids. I want students to know that we’ll prepare them academically, vocationally and spiritually. I want HPU to be a good neighbor to our local and area communities. God has blessed HPU by placing our university in Brownwood and I look forward to fostering and deepening our connections here.”

At every stage throughout his first day in office, Dr. Hines articulated his passion for HPU and the promise of what can be achieved through this vast but close-knit network of partnerships.

“This is very much a team effort that involves many, many people,” he says. “I’m eager for everyone to join us on this exciting journey. I look forward to all God has for us.”

On March 18, the university’s Board of Trustees voted unanimously in favor of Dr. Hines’ appointment as the 20th president in HPU’s 130-year history. That day he began working to conclude his responsibilities as vice president of enrollment at Dallas Baptist University and make the transition to HPU and Brownwood, all while eagerly looking to April 1 on his calendar.

With his first official day now behind him, Dr. Hines took a moment to catch his breath and express appreciation for all who took time to visit and help put the groundwork into place for this new era at HPU.

“Today has been busy, but what a wonderful day it was,” he said. “I’ll get a good night’s sleep tonight and be ready for another great day tomorrow.”

###

Photo #1 cutline: Dr. Cory Hines, HPU’s new president, visits with members of the local community during his first day in office.

Photo #2 cutline: Dr. Cory Hines gets to know HPU students at lunch.

Photo #3 cutline: On his way back to his office after a day full of meetings, two students invite Dr. Cory Hines to try Jacket Golf, a popular HPU pastime.

BROWNWOOD – July 11, 2018 – With almost two months as Howard Payne University’s interim president under his belt, Dr. Paul W. Armes is rediscovering the joys of working in a faith-based educational institution. Dr. Armes, who served for 15 years as president of Wayland Baptist University in Plainview, began his role at HPU on June 1 following Dr. Bill Ellis’ retirement and transition to chancellor.

“I believe so deeply in the importance of faith-based education,” said Dr. Armes. “I’ve been retired for two years and, about a year into retirement, I began to think about the young people, the choices they’re making and what God is doing in their midst. I knew it would be nice to participate in that again.”

When he was approached by HPU’s Board of Trustees to serve as interim while a search began for the university’s 20th president, Dr. Armes accepted the opportunity to continue this important work for the Kingdom of God. He was already familiar with HPU as his father, Dr. Woodson Armes, served as a trustee in the 1980s.

Dr. Armes said he strongly believes that an education deeply rooted in faith – such as one receives from HPU – is more important in our world today than it has ever been before.

“It’s good to know that there are universities where you can still openly and honestly have conversations about Christ and His will for your life,” said Dr. Armes. “You can have conversations about what it is that He has called us to in this world. Those are really neat kinds of discussions to have because they’re about destiny as opposed to just being about vocation. There’s an added layer in that exchange that is really special.”

In addition to his presidency at Wayland Baptist University, Dr. Armes also served as president of San Marcos Baptist Academy, a private Christian school that, like HPU and Wayland, is affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas. He has pastored five Baptist churches in Texas and Missouri and held several interim pastorates. He continues an active pulpit supply ministry.

Dr. Armes earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in religion from Baylor University, followed by Master of Divinity and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has served on numerous committees and boards in denominational, professional and community life. He has also taught at the undergraduate and graduate levels. His honors include being named “Plainview Man of the Year” in 2013.

When he reenters the world of retirement, he will settle with his wife, Duanea, in Stephenville with children and grandchildren nearby. He enjoys woodworking and beekeeping, and the couple also has plans to buy an RV and travel to national parks to partake in another hobby, photography.

However, God’s work in the lives of college students will always be close at heart.

“The wonderful thing about Howard Payne is that this is the kind of place where you come face to face with the claims and the plans that God has for your life,” said Dr. Armes, mentioning that God works heavily in the lives of students and university personnel alike. “Watching folks blossom as they begin to understand where they fit into His plan – whether they’re adults or young people – is really what I think the ministry of Howard Payne is all about.”

###

Cutline: Dr. Paul W. Armes serves as interim president at Howard Payne University.

BROWNWOOD – May 18, 2018 – Howard Payne University’s Board of Trustees has named a committee to conduct the search for the institution’s next president. The move follows the recent announcement of Dr. Bill Ellis’ upcoming retirement as president and transition to the role of chancellor.

The search committee is chaired by Dr. David Lowrie, senior pastor from Decatur and member of HPU’s Board of Trustees. Other committee members from the Board of Trustees are Ronnie D. Andrews, HPU alumnus and business executive from Houston; Marc Dingler, HPU alumnus and attorney from Midland; Carter M. Sharpe, insurance executive from Brownwood; Jonathan “Jonny” Snow, HPU alumnus and professional clothier from Dallas; and Lesley Collier Wyse, HPU alumna and retired educator from Boerne. Representing HPU employees on the committee are Dr. Kylah Clark-Goff, dean of the School of Education and professor of education; Lynn Humeniuk, director of the criminal justice program and associate professor of criminal justice and sociology; and Hunter Sims, athletic director.

“The members of this search committee have a wide range of experiences and perspectives, but they all share a heartfelt commitment to Howard Payne University,” said Pastor Ray Still, chair of HPU’s Board of Trustees. “I am confident in their ability to locate the right candidate and I appreciate their leadership through this process.”

Dr. Paul W. Armes, longtime educator, administrator and minister, will take office as HPU’s interim president on June 1.

For more information about HPU, please visit www.hputx.edu.

###