BROWNWOOD – October 8, 2026 – Howard Payne University (HPU) recently welcomed alumni and other guests to campus for its 2026 Homecoming celebration. Held in conjunction with Homecoming were Yellow Jacket Preview and Family Weekend.
“Homecoming is one of the most special times of the year at Howard Payne because it brings our HPU family together in one place,” said Lindsay Badgeley ’09, director of alumni relations. “We had the chance to reconnect with alumni and friends at a variety of activities on campus, celebrate several outstanding alumni and welcome prospective students and their families. We want to express special appreciation to our sponsors and our volunteers for helping to make Homecoming a success.”
HPU alumni and friends enjoyed Homecoming festivities including the HPU Family Picnic, the Choir Concert with Alumni, Cobbler on the Campus and more. This year also featured the Youth Ministry Pioneer Ceremony in recognition of five HPU alumni who helped establish the youth ministry program at Howard Payne. Those recognized included Chuck Gartman ’72, Randy Johnson ’71, Dr. Chris Liebrum ’73, Wayne McAfee ’74 and Jerome Smith ’75.
The HPU Alumni Association sponsored prize money for the parade float winners. The winners were Delta Epsilon Omega (First Place), Zeta Chi (Second Place) and Delta Chi Rho (Third Place).
The Yellow Jacket football team had a 44-16 win over the Nelson University Lions. The 2026 Homecoming Court was announced during halftime. Named Homecoming Queen and King were Abigail Henderson, a biomedical science major from Junction, and Jacob Hill, a mathematics major from Hagerstown, Maryland. The titles of Homecoming Princess and Prince went to Karly Hardy, a criminal justice major from May, and Emmanuel Young, an allied health major from Kilgore.
Other Homecoming Court nominees were Manuel Chaco, kinesiology major from Kempner; Dariany Cottle, theatre education major from Port Neches; Makenzie Estrada, nursing major from Kingwood; Elsa Leake, business administration major from Georgetown; Kourtney Melton, history and Honors Academy major from Katy; Biak Sang, Christian education major from Dallas; Matthew Van Gorp, Christian education major from El Campo; and Nathan Weems, computer information systems major from Abilene.
Also honored at halftime were HPU’s 2026 alumni honorees: Kaye Cummings ’74, Coming Home Queen; Rev. Jerry D. Griffin ’55, JAM Faithful Servant Award; Gladys (Barnes) Murray ’80, 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; and James Williamson ’70, Grand Marshal.
HPU thanks the following businesses for their support of Homecoming. The title sponsor is Citizens National Bank. Gold level sponsors include Bruner Auto Family; Chick-fil-A Brownwood; City of Brownwood; City of Early; HPU Alumni Association; United Supermarkets; Underwood’s Bar-B-Q and Willie’s T’s. Navy level sponsors are Dr Pepper Bottlers, Brownwood, Inc.; Painter & Johnson Financial and P.F. & E. Oil Company. White level sponsors are Smith & Sharpe Insurance Agency and TexasBank.
ABOUT HOWARD PAYNE UNIVERSITY
Howard Payne University, founded in 1889, is a Christ-centered liberal arts university in Brownwood, Texas, dedicated to preparing students for lives of faith, leadership and service. With more than 100 majors, minors and pre-professional programs across six schools, serving three locations, HPU combines academic excellence with meaningful personal connection in a close-knit campus community.
Guided by its five core values — centered on Christ, focused on community, called to service, committed to excellence and dedicated to stewardship — Howard Payne prepares students through rigorous academic programs, vibrant student life, competitive athletics and service opportunities that equip graduates to make an impact in their communities and professions.