BROWNWOOD – October 26, 2017 – Approximately 1,000 individuals arrived on the Howard Payne University campus last weekend for The Yellow Jacket Express – Homecoming 2017. HPU alumni, students, personnel and guests from the community enjoyed the many Homecoming-related events on campus and around Brownwood.
Among this year’s popular events was the Homecoming parade which featured several train-themed floats. Chi Alpha Omega designed this year’s winning float with Delta Chi Rho and Pi Theta Chi earning second and third place, respectively. The bonfire and fireworks display – held this year at the Bert V. Massey II Sport Complex – also drew a large crowd.
The Class Giving Challenge, a fundraising initiative, was a new event this year.
“We publicized the challenge for a week leading up to Homecoming to see which graduating class could raise the most money for the university,” said Laura Benoit, director of alumni relations. “We were proud to name the Class of 1975 as the winner of this year’s challenge.”
Several community sponsors contributed to the overall success of Homecoming 2017. Gold-level sponsors included Brownwood-Area Chamber of Commerce, Bruner Auto Group, Visit Early Texas, Underwood’s Bar-B-Q, Wendlee Broadcasting and Willie’s T’s. Navy-level sponsors were Dr Pepper, Marsh & McLennan Agency, Mills County State Bank and United Supermarkets. White-level sponsors included Citizens National Bank, Down Home Digital, Early Blooms & Things, Painter & Johnson Financial, PF&E Oil Company, Porter Insurance Agency and TexasBank. Partner sponsors were John Woolsey Ice House and Smith & Sharpe Agencies.
“Our sponsors are an integral part of Homecoming,” said Benoit. “We’re extremely grateful to our community partners.”
The Carnival of Blue and Gold, HPU’s Homecoming 2018 celebration, is slated for November 2-3, 2018. More details will be available in the months leading up to the event.
“We invite all HPU alumni and others interested in alumni events to subscribe to our monthly e-mail newsletter,” said Benoit. “We plan many fun events around the state throughout the year.”
For more information, or to subscribe to “The Gate” alumni e-mail newsletter, e-mail alumni@hputx.edu or call 325-649-8044.
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Cutlines: HPU students do the “sting ’em” hand gesture in front of this year’s Homecoming bonfire.
This year’s winning Homecoming float was the “It is Well with My Soul-train Express,” designed by the Chi Alpha Omega sorority.