HPU honors six students for servant leadership

Six Howard Payne University students were recently honored for acts of servant leadership on campus and in the community. The awards were presented during HPU’s annual Servant Leadership Program.

“Formally recognizing servant leadership is an indication that it is an attribute highly valued by the university,” said Dr. Donnie Auvenshine, professor of Christian studies and dean of HPU’s School of Christian Studies. “As a Christian university, we cherish the type of servant leadership demonstrated most clearly by Jesus Christ. Each of the students recognized is a great example of this type of leadership.”

Seniors Jessica Catlett of Alleyton and Caleb Kostreva of Clifton, Colorado, were each presented the Nat Tracy Servant Leader Award. The HPU Servant Leadership Award was presented to juniors Abi Fraser of Wylie, Justin Hughes of Llano, Hannah Williams of May and Anastasia Willis of Katy. Nominations for both the Nat Tracy Servant Leader Award and the HPU Servant Leadership Award are solicited each spring from HPU staff, faculty and students.

The Nat Tracy Servant Leader Award was established in 1998 to honor the life of the late Dr. Nat Tracy, a faculty member in HPU’s School of Christian Studies from 1950 to 1975.

Jessica Catlett, a May 2019 graduate, double majored in social work and the Guy D. Newman Honors Academy. She is a recipient of both the Hatton W. Sumner Foundation scholarship and the Daughters of the American Revolution’s Cornelia A. Massengill Scholarship. Catlett has participated in Gamma Beta Phi, Model United Nations and the BSM state leadership team, and has served the Social Work Club in many capacities. As a student, Catlett worked on campus as a resident assistant while also volunteering in Awana at CABC and the student ministry May First Baptist Church.

Caleb Kostreva, who also graduated in May, double majored in social science with a global studies emphasis and the Guy D. Newman Honors Academy. As a student, he was active in the Student Government Association (SGA) as the presiding senior senator and Model United Nations. He also participated in the Baptist Student Ministry (BSM) while serving as a resident assistant and working with HPU’s Office of Institutional Advancement. He has also been involved in Coggin Avenue Baptist Church’s (CABC) university ministry as a member of the worship team.

Established in 2007 by HPU through the generosity of the Moore Foundation and Barney II Foundation, the HPU Servant Leadership Award recognizes student excellence in the areas of leadership and service. A $1,000 scholarship is provided to each recipient of the award, and each student designates $250 of the scholarship award to be given to his or her chosen charity.

Abi Fraser is a Christian education major and has been involved in the BSM since she arrived at HPU in 2016. She is an active member of Pi Theta Chi and a small group leader for youth at CABC. She also leads a Bible study at Cross Classical Academy for students in fifth through eighth grades.

Justin Hughes is an engineering science major and has been a student worker as a resident assistant and with HPU’s University Services office. He has been named to the Dean’s List multiple times and in 2018 was recognized as Outstanding Lower Division Student in Engineering Science. He is an active member of Delta Epsilon Omega and serves at CABC as a university ministry intern and an audiovisual volunteer.

Hannah Williams, an elementary education major, has served as chaplain for SGA, a student worker at Walker Memorial Library and a leader in the BSM. She also serves as the children’s minister at May First Baptist Church and has helped with summer camps, such as Super Summer.

Anastasia Willis, an athletic training major, has been a member of the women’s basketball team as a player and captain. She helped start the Black Student Association to help celebrate diversity on campus and serves as its vice president. She has also served on the leadership team for the Baptist Student Ministry. Willis is a member of Chi Alpha Omega, serves on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and made Academic All-Conference in basketball in 2017-2018 as well as Honorable Mention All-West Division for 2018-2019.

Applications are still being accepted for the fall 2019 semester at Howard Payne University. HPU offers a variety of financial aid options. For more information about HPU, contact HPU’s Office of Admission at 325-649-8020 or by e-mail at enroll@hputx.edu.

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Cutlines: Caleb Kostreva and Jessica Catlett are recipients of HPU’s Nat Tracy Servant Leader Award. They are pictured with President Cory Hines, Ph.D.