Howard Payne University welcomed new students to its campus during Jacket Journey, a student welcome event held August 15-18.
Jacket Journey is held annually before the fall semester begins to help first-year students at HPU become a part of the university community and meet fellow students and HPU personnel.
“It’s always exciting when students arrive on campus for the start of a new semester,” said Dr. Magen Bunyard, vice president of student life and dean of students. “Jacket Journey is a great opportunity for new students to build relationships, learn about HPU history and traditions, grow spiritually and get involved in campus life.”
HPU faculty, staff and returning students helped new students move into the residence halls on Wednesday and Thursday. Jacket Journey began on Thursday with a free lunch for students and their families hosted at the President’s Home by Dr. Cory Hines and his family.
“We at HPU are pleased to welcome these new students to our campus,” said Dr. Hines. “I look forward not only to HPU positively impacting these students’ lives, but also to how this new class will participate in the shaping of our university’s future.”
Additional Jacket Journey events included Chime In, a ceremony symbolizing the beginning of students’ time at HPU; Campus Celebration, a time of worship organized by the HPU Baptist Student Ministry; and S.W.A.R.M. (Serving With A Right Motive), a community-wide service project during which students served at Good Samaritan Ministries, the ARK Domestic Violence Shelter, the Brownwood Area Community Garden and the Brownwood’s Lyric Theatre.
“Jacket Journey is one of my favorite events at HPU because it is such a fun time for the incoming students to get to know one another, returning students and the campus before starting classes,” said Josh Snow, director of student activities. “Everyone here is important, so we try our best to create that atmosphere at Jacket Journey.”
Fall classes at HPU began on August 19. The university offers more than 100 majors, minors and pre-professional programs and participates in six men’s and women’s sports through the NCAA Division III’s American Southwest Conference.
Applications are being accepted for the spring 2020 semester at Howard Payne University (www.hputx.edu/apply). For more information about HPU, including the wide range of available financial aid options, contact HPU’s Office of Admission at 325-649-8020 or by e-mail at enroll@hputx.edu.
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Photo #1 cutline: Jacket Journey participants are pictured with HPU personnel and Dr. Cory Hines, HPU president.
Photo #2 cutline: Leading students through HPU’s Wilson Gate at Chime In are Dr. Cory and Mrs. Melinda Hines, HPU president and first lady, and Kendall Moore (far right), Student Government Association president.