BROWNWOOD – October 30, 2026 – This week, Howard Payne University (HPU) students, faculty and staff gathered to pack a shipping container full of supplies – desks, chairs, tables, computers, and other materials – to be sent overseas to William V.S. Tubman University in Harper, Liberia.
The activity coincided with a visit from Tubman’s president, Dr. Olu Menjay, who spent several days on campus and spoke during Wednesday’s Chapel.
“We are very, very grateful for this container of hope,” Dr. Menjay said before the loading of the container, expressing gratitude to Dr. Cory Hines, HPU president, Dr. Chris Liebrum, HPU vice president for external affairs, and the HPU employees and student volunteers who helped make the donation possible.
Dr. Menjay explained that limited resources make it difficult for Tubman University to provide the facilities and furnishings needed to support its academic community. The donation will help the university create more conducive spaces for learning and give students and faculty greater access to functional educational environments.
“It’s been so great to watch God bring this opportunity together,” Dr. Hines said. “What started as a small conversation a little over a year ago has grown into a friendship between two universities on different sides of the world. Our prayer is that these items are a blessing to the students and staff at Tubman University and that our friendship continues to grow.”
After more than a year of coordination, Dr. Menjay visited campus, met with university leaders and helped select items for the shipment. The donated materials included furniture and equipment such as computers, desks, chairs and tables. The shipment is intended to help Tubman University improve its learning spaces and support its students and faculty.
“We are very excited,” said Dr. Menjay. “This will be a gamechanger for us. The space that we are going to enjoy now is because of Howard Payne University. I think it will give us a good culture of learning at our university.”
During his visit, Dr. Menjay shared with students during the weekly Chapel service about his work in higher education, his faith and the importance of relationships in creating opportunities to serve others. He described the connection between the two universities as providential and emphasized the role of their shared faith in bringing the partnership to fruition.
“This wouldn’t have been possible without the glue that put us together, which is Jesus Christ,” he said.
During his remarks before loading the equipment, Dr. Hines emphasized the university’s responsibility to use its resources to benefit others. The effort reflects HPU’s dedication to stewardship, one of the university’s core values, by ensuring that existing resources continue to serve a meaningful purpose.
Dr. Menjay said the gift would show the Tubman University community that people across the world care about its students and their future.
“This will be a testimony of hope for our university,” Menjay said. “And will show our young people, our students, our university that we are connected through worldwide ties.”
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.