BROWNWOOD – April 28, 2026 – Howard Payne University students Iza Harrison and Bekah Moreno were recipients of the 2026 Yellow Rose Scholarship presented by the Howard Payne University (HPU) Women’s Club. The students were honored at the annual Yellow Rose Scholarship Luncheon on April 23, alongside this year’s Yellow Rose Award winner Dr. Nancy Jo Humfeld.
“I’m so grateful for the opportunity to celebrate these incredible women,” shared Melinda Hines, HPU first lady and president of the Women’s Club. “Each one is a servant leader in every area of their lives. Thank you to everyone who makes this luncheon possible and continues to impact our students through the Yellow Rose Scholarship.”
Harrison is a nursing major from Priddy. She looks forward to caring for others and being the hands and feet of Jesus. She is on the HPU Cheer Team, an HPU band member and serves on the Student Activities Council. She also serves as a youth leader at Iglesia Nueva Vida.
Moreno is a worship ministry major from Breckenridge. She hopes to serve God’s people with the talents and gifts He has given her. She is involved in the Baptist Student Ministry, serves on the chapel worship team and provides piano lessons. Moreno also serves with the youth at Coggin Avenue Baptist Church.
The keynote speaker for the luncheon was Robin Marriott ’87, founder and CEO of Manners Mean Money. Marriott, has a B.B.A., M.Ed., and many other licenses, certifications and designations in real estate, business and education. She has been adjunct professor at Texas Wesleyan University, Texas A&M University Corpus Christi and spoken on other college campuses. In the early 2000s she began writing curriculum and teaching business owners, CEOs, administrators, and medical providers updated strategies to improve return on investment and patient satisfaction scores. She’s held the titles of physician coach, business etiquette liaison and even undercover patient and shopper, to adequately teach her business skills. Robin is also a designated relocation and luxury Realtor with Compass Real Estate. She is the author of 3 books: Turning Manners into Money, So that Really Happened and Manners and Medicine. Robin is married to Dr. Ronny Marriott ’87, lead pastor of FBC Richardson and member of the HPU Board of Trustees. They have been in ministry together for 41 years and have 3 grown children: Molly, Morgan and Ryan Marriott.
“Her humor and engaging message were full of grace and authenticity,” shared Hines.
Dr. Humfeld is a co-founder of the Lyric Performing Arts Company and has been the artistic director since its inception. She retired as head of the Department of Theatre and director of theatre at HPU and is professor emerita. Dr. Humfeld is the director of music for Union Presbyterian Church in Brownwood and is a member of the worship committee. She is very active in church work and delights in planning worship and in serving others.
The Yellow Rose Endowed Scholarship currently provides student scholarships thanks to generous support from the HPU family and the community. The luncheon, a tradition that started 20 years ago by the HPU Women’s Club, is the primary fundraiser for the scholarship.
This year’s Diamond level sponsor was The Lyric Performing Arts Company. Gold level sponsors were Mrs. Valerie Deason and Mrs. Deborah Cartwright; Mr. David and Mrs. Wendy Grooms; Mrs. Sharon Guthrie; Hendrick Medical Center Brownwood; Dr. Cory and Mrs. Melinda Hines; and Waldrop Construction Co. Inc. Blue level sponsors were Mrs. Emily Attaway; Bangs Floral; Mrs. Pat Bicknel and Mrs. Jane Rodgers; Citizens National Bank; Mrs. Kaye Cummings and Ms. Nelda Carpenter; Haynes Law Firm; Mrs. Emily Hutson; Mrs. Joy Ivy; Dr. Ben and Mrs. Ashley Martin; Mrs. Kristina Penland; Mrs. Leesa Stephens; Texas Goldstar Real Estate; Ricky Ray Photography; Dr. Evelyn Romig and Dr. Julie Welker; and Willie’s T’s/HPU Stinger Store.
Those interested in joining the HPU Women’s Club can visit www.hputx.edu/womensclub.
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Cutline #1: HPU’s first lady Melinda Hines is pictured with this year’s Yellow Rose Scholarship recipients. Pictured from left to right are Iza Harrison, Melinda Hines and Bekah Moreno.
Cutline #2: Dr. Nancy Jo Humfeld (right) received the Yellow Rose Award at this year’s Yellow Rose Luncheon and is pictured with HPU’s first lady Melinda Hines (left).