BROWNWOOD – August 22, 2025 – A new endowed scholarship has been established at Howard Payne University by an anonymous supporter in honor of Dr. John ’82 and Judy Duncan, of Horseshoe Bay. The scholarship may be utilized by the university in the best way to encourage student enrollment.
Dr. John Duncan is an alumnus of HPU and currently serves as pastor of the Church at Horseshoe Bay. The endowed scholarship was established in May 2025 and the first student recipient will be selected in the fall.
“We are excited and humbled about this scholarship because it will help students complete their education and impact the world for Christ,” said Dr. Duncan.
Dr. Duncan holds a Doctor of Philosophy from The Open University, Cambridge, England, and a Doctor of Ministry and Divinity from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
He served as pastor at Locker Baptist Church, Richland Springs, assistant of youth at First Baptist Church in Hurst, pastor at Trinity Baptist Church in Henderson, and then senior pastor for 20 years at Lakeside Baptist Church in Granbury. In 2007, he became senior pastor at First Baptist Church, Georgetown. He also served as interim pastor at First Baptist Church in San Marcos and Kowloon International Baptist Church in Hong Kong. Dr. Duncan began his term as co-pastor at the Church at Horseshoe Bay in July 2017 and became senior pastor in 2024.
Judy grew up in San Antonio and the DFW area, graduating from Trinity High School in Euless, Texas in 1980. She owns her own cookie business, Judy D’s Sugar Cookies. John and Judy have three married daughters and seven grandchildren.
“Scholarships help make HPU’s distinctively Christ-centered education affordable for students,” said Dr. Dale Meinecke, vice president for advancement. “Dr. John and Mrs. Judy Duncan are great examples of HPU’s commitment to developing Kingdom-driven leaders who impact their communities for the gospel. By offering this scholarship, we are able to produce more servant-leaders like the Duncans.”
Individuals who would like to contribute to the scholarship can visit www.hputx.edu/give and enter “John and Judy Duncan Endowed Scholarship” in the giving option or call 325-649-8048.
###
Cutline: An endowed scholarship has been established at HPU in honor of Dr. John and Judy Duncan.