BROWNWOOD – September 18, 2026 – Howard Payne University will celebrate seven individuals for their accomplishments and service during Homecoming on October 2-3. The university’s Homecoming weekend, presented by Citizens National Bank, also features Family Weekend and Yellow Jacket Preview.
The honorees for 2026 are:
• Kaye Cummings ’74, Coming Home Queen
• Rev. Jerry D. Griffin ’55, JAM Faithful Servant Award
• Gladys (Barnes) Murray ’73, Medal of Service
• David M. Natividad ’98, Dr. José Rivas Distinguished Service Award
• Phillip Scott’07, M.D., Outstanding Young Graduate Award
• James L. Thomas III ’75, Distinguished Alumnus
• James Williamson ’70, Grand Marshal
The honorees will be recognized at the Alumni Banquet on Friday, Oct. 2, at 5 p.m. in the Beadel Dining Hall of HPU’s Mabee University Center. They will be included in the Homecoming Parade on Saturday, Oct. 3, at 10 a.m. The parade will travel through downtown Brownwood on Center Avenue to Fisk Street via E. Depot Street and pass through the HPU campus. Later in the day, they will be honored during the halftime show of the football game versus Nelson University at Gordon Wood Stadium that begins at 3 p.m.
Kaye Cummings ’74, Coming Home Queen
Kaye (Varnadore) Cummings says Howard Payne University provided an excellent education in her chosen fields of education and psychology while also teaching her lessons that extended beyond the classroom.
Cummings graduated from HPU in 1974. While a student, she was named to Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities and served as secretary of the junior class, treasurer of the Interorganizational Council and president of Veda Hodge Hall. She also was involved in Baptist Student Union, Life Service Band, the Texas Student Teachers Association, the Homecoming Committee and play, and the Douglas MacArthur Academy of Freedom. She was a Lasso Beauty nominee her junior and senior years.
Cummings went on to earn a master’s degree in psychology and counseling from East Texas State University. She credits HPU professors and their families, with whom she interacted at the university, in church and throughout the community, with providing important mentorship that shaped her life.
Cummings continued her commitment to Christian service by teaching Sunday School, women’s Bible studies and children’s classes, leading women’s ministry and singing in the choir. She is a member of the Philanthropic Education Organization. Cummings and her husband, Logan, live in Lubbock. She enjoys reading, working puzzles and spending time with her dogs.
Rev. Jerry D. Griffin ’55, JAM Faithful Servant Award
Rev. Jerry D. Griffin says Howard Payne University had a tremendous influence on his life and helped him get started in ministry.
Griffin graduated from HPU in 1955 and went on to earn a master’s degree in religious education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Griffin served as pastor of Bowser Baptist Church in San Saba County, Scalorn Baptist Church in Mills County, First Baptist Church Prosper and First Baptist Church Forney, where he served from 1960 to 1993. He later served as director of missions for the Kauf-Van Association from 1993 to 2006 and as senior adult pastor at First Baptist Church Forney from 2006 to 2025.
Throughout his ministry and community involvement, Griffin served with the Forney Lions Club, as a director of Forney State Bank and on the executive board and Church Loan Board of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. Griffin and his wife, Helen ’56, were honored when Griffin Elementary School in Forney was named for them. He also was named Man of the Year by the Forney Chamber of Commerce and served as grand marshal of the Forney Christmas Parade.
The Griffins have two daughters, Sharon Griffin Campbell ’79 and son-in-law David L. Campbell ’80; and Karen Griffin Amundson and son-in-law George Amundson; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Gladys (Barnes) Murray ’73, Medal of Service
Gladys (Barnes) Murray says Howard Payne University prepared her for a life of service by instilling the Word of God and providing opportunities to participate in mission work and service projects.
Murray graduated from HPU in 1980 with a Bachelor of Science degree in business with secondary teacher certification. She began her studies at HPU in 1973, returning in 1977 after taking time away to work full time and care for her family. She graduated in 1980 while carrying her youngest child.
Murray began her career at the Brownwood State Home and School Reception Center, serving as a secretary, admissions officer and test administrator. She later joined the Texas Youth Commission administrative offices in Austin, where she served in roles including secretary to the institutional director, computer programmer, quality control specialist and project manager.
She retired in 2010 after 31 years of service with the Texas Youth Commission and Texas Juvenile Justice Department, concluding her career as director of information technology.
Murray continues to serve her church in several leadership and administrative roles and is secretary-treasurer of HPU’s African American Alumni Chapter. Murray enjoys sewing, cooking and baking and is committed to “paying it forward” wherever the Lord leads her.
She and her husband, Glynn, have six children: LaShun Gaines and husband, Jason; David Smith and wife, Valerie; Tomeka Smith; Michael Smith and wife, April; Adea Murray; and Brian Murray. They have seven grandchildren.
David M. Natividad ’98, Dr. José Rivas Distinguished Service Award
David M. Natividad says Howard Payne University provided him with a strong education in communication and mass media while also playing a major role in strengthening his faith in the Lord.
Natividad graduated from HPU in 1998. While a student, he was involved in Student Foundation, Student Union Board, HPU radio and television broadcasts and La Hora Bautista. He went on to earn a Master of Education degree from Dallas Baptist University.
Natividad has continued to combine his professional and Christian interests through service in education and ministry. He has served as a huddle leader with Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Marfa ISD and as a faculty adviser for Baptist Student Ministry at Angelo State University. He also has served as coordinator for the Fellowship of Christian Faculty and Staff at Angelo State University, a board member of the Hispanic Higher Education Consortium of Texas Baptists and a member of the Congreso planning committee for Texas Baptists.
Natividad currently serves as interim pastor at First Baptist Church Brady. He also has served as a praise and worship leader at Primera Baptist Church in San Angelo. His family includes his parents, David and Lydia Natividad; sister, Neomi Bustamante; and niece and nephew, Anna and Nathan Gutierrez.
Phillip Scott ’07, M.D., Outstanding Young Graduate Award
Dr. Phillip Scott says HPU’s biology program and opportunities through Baptist Student Ministry prepared him for success in medical school and confirmed his interest in medicine.
Dr. Scott graduated from HPU in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in biology. He went on to earn his medical degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and completed a pediatric residency at Texas Tech University in Lubbock.
Dr. Scott is a board-certified pediatric hospitalist at Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth. In May 2025, he became medical director of the Nelson Ku High Risk Asthma Clinic.
While at HPU, Dr. Scott was involved in Baptist Student Ministry, TriBeta biological honor society and Phi Kappa Chi. Through Baptist Student Ministry, he participated in medical missions, and an opportunity to observe a local family physician helped confirm his interest in medicine.
Dr. Scott and his wife, Lorin ’09, attend North Fort Worth Baptist Church, where he serves as a deacon and teaches sixth-grade Sunday School. They have four children: George, Margot, Jack and Lucy. Outside of work and family, Dr. Scott enjoys woodworking and gardening.
James L. Thomas III ’75, Distinguished Alumnus
James L. Thomas III says Howard Payne University prepared him to begin his career as an educator while also giving him an opportunity to better understand himself and build relationships with classmates from across Texas.
Thomas graduated from HPU in 1975. He began his teaching career in Bay City, Texas, and soon returned to his hometown of Plano, where he has spent nearly five decades serving the community through education and civic involvement. During his career with Plano Independent School District, Thomas has served as an English teacher and coach at Wilson Middle School, an administrator at Guinn Special Programs and a district administrator advocating for unhoused families and students in foster care. He was a finalist for Teacher of the Year and was part of a campus recognized as an outstanding school in the nation.
Thomas serves on the boards of City House, the Collin County Homeless Coalition and Trusted World. He also is a member of the Plano West Rotary Club and serves on several community and Plano ISD committees.
In recognition of his service, Plano ISD named its Bonser-Thomas Welcome and Enrollment Center in his honor. Thomas and his wife, Shun, have four sons: JT Thomas and wife, Morgan; Chase Thomas and wife, Eyrika, and grandson, Ace; Trevor Thomas; and Chris Irvin.
James Williamson ’70, Grand Marshal
James Williamson says Howard Payne University helped prepare him for a successful career by teaching him the importance of making lifelong friends, setting priorities, making a plan and establishing values and standards.
Williamson graduated from HPU and the Academy of Freedom in 1970 with a degree in political science. While at HPU, he served as class president and treasurer and was a member of the Student Supreme Court, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Democracy in Action Committee and Interorganizational Council. He was a four-year varsity football letterman who was named All-Texas Punter of the Year and established records at the Lone Star Conference, Texas and NAIA Division I levels. He was recognized by Outstanding College Athletes of America and named to Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities. Following his time at HPU, Williamson became a free agent with the New Orleans Saints and played one year with the Omaha Mustangs semi-professional football team.
Williamson began his life insurance career in 1970 and held leadership positions in Omaha, Des Moines, Dallas and San Antonio. Since 1987, he has operated his own insurance and financial
planning business. He also spent 10 years in news-talk radio in Kerrville and 20 years in Brownwood. Williamson serves as a deacon and Sunday School teacher and is active in civic and professional organizations.
Williamson and his wife, Jeanie ’70, have been married since 1970. Their family includes son John and wife, Sara; and daughter, Mary Cornett and husband, Justin. They have four grandchildren.