BROWNWOOD – October 1, 2015 – Howard Payne University will celebrate many time-honored traditions at this year’s Homecoming, slated for October 16-17. “Timeless Traditions” is the theme for the event, at which alumni and friends of the university will convene on the HPU campus for a full schedule of activities.
Alumni and visitors may register for Homecoming events online; some require purchased tickets while many are free of charge. For complete details, visit www.hputx.edu/homecoming or contact the Office of Alumni Relations at (325) 649-8044 or via e-mail at alumni@hputx.edu.
New events this year include Reunion Pre-Game Gatherings for the classes of 1965, 1985, 1990, 1995 and 2005 at Gordon Wood Stadium prior to the football game on Saturday, and an Authors’ Reception and Archival Display at HPU’s Walker Memorial Library on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Additional events are highlighted below.
When they arrive on campus, alumni and visitors will have an opportunity to immediately reconnect with HPU friends at Mims Auditorium during Registration, sponsored by Early Blooms & Things. Those who registered in advance may check in the registration booths to pick up nametags, t-shirts and other materials.
Performances of “Godspell” will be held at the university’s Mims Auditorium on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. each evening. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students and children 13 and younger. Tickets may be purchased through the Homecoming website or at the door on the evenings of the performances. Those who purchase tickets online for Thursday’s performance should contact the Office of Alumni Relations prior to the event at (325) 649-8044.
The Golden Graduate Luncheon honoring the Class of 1965, sponsored by Wendlee Broadcasting, will be held Friday from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Richard and Wanda Jackson Conference Room of the university’s Paul and Jane Meyer Faith and Life Leadership Center.
The Homecoming Court will be presented during Homecoming Convocation at 2 p.m. on Friday in Mims Auditorium.
The Alumni and Sports Hall of Fame Banquet, sponsored by HPU’s Alumni Association, will be held Friday from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the Beadel Dining Hall of the Mabee University Center. During the banquet, the Homecoming 2015 honorees will be recognized. Doors open at 4:45 p.m.
Following the banquet on Friday will be Cobbler on the Campus sponsored by Underwood’s Cafeteria and a Pep Rally sponsored by the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce at HPU’s Muse Plaza and Mall. These festivities begin at 6:30 p.m.
Saturday morning’s Decades Breakfast, sponsored by Willie’s T’s, begins at 7:30 a.m. During this time, alumni are invited to reunite with friends from their class decades in the Beadel Dining Hall of the Mabee University Center.
Also at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday will be the Hispanic Alumni Breakfast in Bullion Suites B and C of the Mabee University Center and the Letterman’s Breakfast in the Beadel Dining Hall.
The Homecoming Parade, sponsored by Big Country Ford, begins at 9:30 on Saturday morning. The parade will follow the same route as last year, beginning at the Brownwood Coliseum, traveling down Center Ave. and ending at the university’s Doakie Day Art Center. The best areas to view the parade are downtown and on campus along Center Avenue.
Little Jackets’ Nest, sponsored by Mills County State Bank, will be held from 10:30 a.m. until 11:30 on Saturday behind the Packer Administration Building. This is a time of games and other fun activities for children.
A variety of departmental and student-organization receptions, sponsored by TexasBank, will be held Saturday morning from 10:30 a.m. until noon. A complete list of participating departments and organizations is available online at www.hputx.edu/homecoming.
Picnic on the Plaza, sponsored by the Early Chamber of Commerce, will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday at the Muse Plaza and Mall and Beadel Dining Hall.
A tree dedication in memory of Shawn Brown, class of 1998, will take place on Saturday from 11:35 to 11:50 a.m. at the Muse Plaza and Mall.
The HPU Yellow Jacket football team will play East Texas Baptist University at 2:00 p.m. Saturday at Gordon Wood Stadium.
A variety of reunions, athletic events and other events will be held throughout the weekend. A complete schedule of events and ticket prices are available online at www.hputx.edu/homecoming.
In addition to the sponsors listed above, HPU thanks the following business for their support: Dr Pepper Bottling, Citizens National Bank, Painter & Johnson Financial, Porter Insurance Agency, Winstar Marketing, Adidas, PF&E Oil Company, United Supermarkets and Robnett Integra Insurance Services.
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Photo cutline: A sign on the HPU campus along Austin Avenue announces the dates for Homecoming 2015.