BROWNWOOD – March 8, 2024 – Howard Payne University will host its annual Spring Family Reunion on Saturday, March 23. The public is invited to join alumni and students for a day of fun on the campus, including music, games and food. New this year is the Outdoor Vendor Market, featuring handmade crafts from alumni, faculty and students. Admission to the event is free of charge and no registration is necessary. Individuals are invited to stop by the campus anytime during the events to join the festivities.
“HPU’s Spring Family Reunion is a great opportunity to enjoy time with friends on the HPU campus,” said Dr. Kalie Lowrie, assistant vice president for alumni relations. “There will be fun for all ages including live music, games, bounce houses, food and, for the first time, our Outdoor Vendor Market with unique handmade and customized goods. This is one of my favorite days of the year that provides a fun atmosphere for the extended HPU family to connect and enjoy time together.”
The HPU Alumni Association Virtual 5K run/walk will begin at 9 a.m. at the Mabee University Center on the HPU campus. Registration is $40 per person and a portion will go to support student-focused events and scholarships. Individuals can participate from home, with other alumni and friends in their area, or on the HPU campus. Currently, alumni and friends are participating from 20 cities around the world. Registration is still open and can be accessed at www.hputx.edu/alumni/hpu-spring-family-reunion.
During the Reunion Celebration from 1-4 p.m. at the Mims Auditorium Pergola and Muse Mall and Plaza, individuals and families can enjoy live music from HPU alumnus Brad Miles and student band The Chris Ewen Experience. Miles is a Texas-based singer-songwriter who has toured with his band Everman and released a solo worship album in 2005. He is currently the lead pastor at First Baptist Church Shallowater and also recently released several new songs. He will take the stage at 1 p.m., followed at 2:45 p.m. by The Chris Ewen Experience. The student-led band is comprised of Conner Benoist, Wyatt Benoist, Payton Chumbley and Chris Ewen. All four students are also in HPU’s Heritage Chapel band.
Twelve student organizations and alumni chapters will have booths with food and games for all ages. Student and alumni groups hosting booths include the African American Alumni Chapter, Alpha Psi Omega, the Alumni Association, Chi Alpha Omega, Delta Chi Rho, Delta Epsilon Omega, Gamma Beta Phi, the Hispanic Alumni Chapter, Ministerial Alliance, Pi Theta Chi, the Student Association of Social Work and the Young Alumni Chapter.
The Outdoor Vendor Market will feature vendors with handmade goods and accessories ranging from jewelry, leather, woodworking, clothing, bags, freeze-dried foods and more. Vendors include Heirlooms Handmade Jewelry, Marlon’s Texas Art, Platte Leather Co., Repurposeful Creations, Rocking Oak Woodworks, Rocking Oak Woodworks – 3D Printing, and Rockin Ranch Boutique.
The HPU Alumni Association would like to express appreciation to sponsors for the Virtual 5K including Business Sponsors Accel Health; Mark T. Bessent, Attorney at Law; Best Western Plus – Brownwood; Brasher & Company; Double Diamond Iron and Woodworks; Early Glass & Brownwood Door; Grooms Seed; Holland Hauling; Kohler; Rick Martin – LPL Financial; Ratliff Steel; Roberson Rent-All; Smith & Sharp Agencies; Sparks Insurance; and TexasBank. Family Sponsors include Dr. Logan and Kaye Cummings; Dr. Jason and Heather Davis; Cesar and Martha GaribayBartolo; Tique and Stacy Hamilton; Dr. Cory and Melinda Hines; Landry and Janetta Holmes; Dr. Montie and Beverly Martin; Woody and Miki Martin; Dr. Dale and Christy Meinecke; and Jeff and Kristy Mitchell.
A Yellow Jacket Preview event is also held in conjunction with the Spring Family Reunion. Prospective students and their families are invited to register to attend the event that is held from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. which provides information on the academic and social life at HPU. Interested students can contact the Office of Admissions at visit@hputx.edu or 325-649-8020.
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Cutline #1: HPU welcomes the public to this year’s Spring Family Reunion on Saturday, March 23.
Cutline #2: HPU alumnus Brad Miles is one of the Spring Family Reunion’s featured musicians.
Cutline #3: The Chris Ewen Experience, a quartet of HPU students, will perform at HPU’s Spring Family Reunion.