BROWNWOOD – April 15, 2026 – Howard Payne University (HPU) hosted more than 400 attendees at its fourth annual Robnett Founders Dinner on Tuesday at the Brownwood Event Center.
The dinner, which featured a special performance by Grammy Award-winning Christian artist Chris Tomlin, raised $447,000, with $247,000 designated for student scholarships.
“The annual Robnett Founders Dinner has quickly become one of the most inspiring nights of the year for Howard Payne University,” said Dr. Cory Hines ’97, HPU president. “It’s a blessing to watch God work, and we were amazed at the generosity of our friends who attended.”
The Robnett Founders Dinner, named in memory of Dr. John David Robnett, a founder of HPU, was established to celebrate the mission and values of HPU and to honor an individual or organization that has made a major impact on the university and its work in the lives of students. Members of the Robnett Family were in attendance.
The dinner provided an opportunity for the university to thank and honor Texas Baptists (Baptist General Convention of Texas) with the 2026 Dr. John D. Robnett Founders Award.
“This year, we were able to thank Texas Baptists for their decades of support for Howard Payne,” Dr. Hines said. “The thousands of member churches that make up Texas Baptists have provided the funds and resources to launch the ministries of countless HPU graduates. To have the opportunity to say thank you to them, to raise money for student scholarships and the university, and to worship with Chris Tomlin, truly made this an unforgettable evening.”
BGCT churches, collectively, are the largest donor to Howard Payne University. From 1960-2025, Texas Baptists’ financial support of HPU totaled nearly $54 million.
Dr. Hines presented the award to Dr. Julio Guarneri, executive director of Texas Baptists, who accepted on behalf of the organization.
Following the award presentation, Tomlin, who TIME magazine heralded as the “most often sung artist in the world,” took to the stage to share songs and stories with the audience.
“It was a wonderful evening of celebration designed to glorify God,” said Dr. Dale Meinecke ’97, HPU’s vice president of advancement. “We are so thankful to all who attended, all who volunteered, and all who provided support. None of this happens without the generosity of our sponsors. They helped make the night a success.”
Sponsors included:
Presenting Sponsor: Bruner Auto
Award Sponsor: Anonymous
Diamond Sponsors: Grooms Seed and Guidestone
Gold Sponsors: Mr. Jay & Mrs. Jenny Allison; Citizens National Bank Brownwood; Hendrick Health Systems Brownwood; Mr. Ken ’72 & Mrs. Kathy ’72 Stimson; Texas Baptists; Mr. Steve ’74 & Mrs. Paula Tidwell; Mr. Lanny Voss ’69; and Mr. James ’70 & Mrs. Jeanie ’70 Williamson
Silver Sponsors: Mr. Steve & Mrs. Teresa Beal; Brasher & Co.; Brookshire’s; Mr. Rodney & Mrs. Debra Cavett; Mr. Mike ’72 & Mrs. Elizabeth Cochran; Mr. David & Mrs. Wendy Grooms; Mr. Neal ’66 & Mrs. Sharon Mitchell ’65 Guthrie; Mr. Keith & Mrs. Joyce Rowe ’64 Hewitt; Dr. Cory ’97 & Mrs. Melinda Hines; Mrs. Mary Johnson; Mr. Dan & Mrs. Jina Joss; Oakwood Church; Mr. David & Mrs. Cindy Robnett; Mr. John III ’07 & Mrs. Corey Robnett; and Mr. Mike & Mrs. Leesa ’80 Stephens
Navy Sponsors: Mr. Bryan & Mrs. Kathy Allen; Alvarez Drywall & Acoustics, Inc.; Mr. Daniel ’08 & Mrs. Emily ’09 Attaway; Mr. Charles & Mrs. Patricia Boland; First Baptist Church Brownwood; Coggin Avenue Baptist Church; Mr. Calvin ’60 & Mrs. Suzanne Fryar; Mr. David & Mrs. Terri Garrett; Mr. Wayne & Mrs. Kara Hamilton; HighGround Advisors; Dr. Nathan & Mrs. Kristi Lane; Dr. Chris ’73 & Mrs. Cindy ’72 Liebrum; Dr. Dan & Mrs. Cynthia ’76 Locker; Dr. Ben ’04 & Mrs. Ashley Martin; MCBank Brownwood; Dr. James ’69 & Mrs. Pat ’70 McGlothlin; Dr. Dale ’98 & Mrs. Christy ’98 Meinecke – Texas GoldStar Real Estate; Jake Montoya Insurance; Dr. Don ’61 & Mrs. Brenda Newbury; Dr. Nate & Mrs. Kristina Penland; Mr. Robert & Mrs. Sally Porter; Mr. Vic & Mrs. Carrie Singleton; The Sparrow Charitable Foundation; TexasBank; Dr. Leonard & Mrs. Dolores Underwood; Mrs. Jenny Williams ’77; Willie’s T’s/HPU Stinger Store; and Mr. Danny Willingham ’78
In addition to Tomlin, those who participated in the program included Dr. Hines; Bob James, morning show host, 96.9 KQBZ The Breeze; students Vic Cooper, a senior majoring in music and biochemistry, and Sarah Krusing, a senior majoring in allied health science and the Honors Academy; and Alumni Board Member Miki Martin ’80.
The event was catered by Sodexo.
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Cutline 1: HPU hosted more than 400 attendees at the fourth annual Robnett Founders Dinner.
Cutline 2: Grammy Award-winning Christian artist Chris Tomlin gave a special performance at the dinner.
Cutline 3: The 2026 Dr. John D. Robnett Founders Award was presented to Texas Baptists (Baptist General Convention of Texas).