From Hobby to Business: Nail Tech Thrives at HPU
By: Jessie Howard Here at Howard Payne University, a small nail business is making a big impression. What began as a casual part-time hobby has quickly grown into a popular campus service, with appointments selling out and a waitlist steadily forming. Sharron Herra, freshman jurisprudence major from Fort Worth, is the owner of a nail […]
From Mexico to Brownwood: Jose Lopez Finds Home at Howard Payne
By: Kahliq Paulette When Jose Lopez first dreamed of coming to the United States, he wanted opportunity and a place that would feel like home. He found that place at Howard Payne University. Lopez, a wide receiver on the Howard Payne University football team, grew up in Mexico with a love for sports and a […]
Cactus Jacks Capture HPU Blue vs. Gold Title with 2–0 Sweep
By: Guest Writer Dalen Jensen, junior strategic communication major/ The Cactus Jacks closed out Howard Payne University baseball’s fall schedule with a statement, sweeping the Thunderbuddies 2–0 to capture this year’s Blue vs. Gold World Series at Don Shepard Park. The Blue vs. Gold series is an annual intersquad event during the fall semester. Moving […]
Zeta Chi Reinstated as an HPU Greek Life Organization
By: Riley Harker/ Zeta Chi began its pledging process along with the other Greek Life organizations at Howard Payne University on Sept. 19. Greek organizations at HPU provide students with opportunities to come together as a team, share experiences, and grow as students and believers in Christ. Zeta Chi, a previous Greek organization at HPU, […]
Baptist Student Ministry Encourages Faith and Fellowship at HPU
By: Emmy White/ The Baptist Student Ministry’s mission statement is “to encourage college students to follow Christ and transform the world”. Howard Payne University’s BSM is a group of invested students who strive to share Christ and love others. With several ministries dedicated to serving the Lord, the Baptist Student Ministry seeks to walk alongside […]
Life Reimagined in Christ: Encounter Week Reflection
By: Katelyn Sims, senior global studies and Academy major from Cleburne/ For the Christian, new life in Christ renders a reformed way of thinking and understanding. It not only transforms the way that we live in and interact with the world, but also how we comprehend the Lord’s instruction through scripture. Being wholly revitalized by […]
Backpacks Down, Boots On: HPU students invited to Feels Like Home Festival
By: Kassidy Johnson/ The Feels Like Home Festival is an opportunity for Howard Payne University students and staff to enjoy participating in community events. In its second year, the Feels Like Home Fest is a Texas country music and BBQ event, held in the heart of Brownwood at the Brownwood Event Center. “It was surreal […]
Community Outside the Classroom
By: Riley Harker/ The 2025 intramural season at Howard Payne University began in early September, with sand volleyball games starting Sept. 9. Intramurals give students a break from stressful academic workloads while offering opportunities for competition and connection. “It’s a place where we’re trying to promote sportsmanship and healthy competition,” said Jake Lehrer, resident director […]
The Center for Student Success: A Home for Academic Growth
By: Kassidy Johnson/ At Howard Payne University, academic support plays a key role in student success. “The Center for Student Success is a place that houses most of the academic support practices,” said Dr. Wendy McNeeley, assistant vice president for student success. McNeeley said many students are hesitant to use the center due to a […]
Brightspace Replaces Blackboard as HPU’s New Learning Platform
By: Rylee McAlexander/ Brightspace is the new platform students are required to use for their classes across campus, replacing Blackboard, which had previously been used. The university’s contract with Blackboard was expiring, prompting administrators to search for a platform that best fit HPU. That search led to Brightspace. “The platform needed to address the requirements […]
Howard Payne Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month
By Emmy White/ Hispanic Heritage Month takes place Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. During this time, Howard Payne University hosts events to celebrate culture and community. “Every student is welcome at all events during this month,” said Dr. Danny Brunette-Lopez, professor of Spanish, and chair of the department of Spanish.“These events don’t alienate people, they […]
Jacket Journey: Building Community
By: Emmy White/ Jacket Journey, Howard Payne University’s freshman orientation, takes place the weekend before classes begin each fall. With more than 300 new freshmen this year, Jacket Journey welcomed the largest incoming class in more than a decade. Featuring campus tours, get-to-know-you games, dinner at the president’s house and more, Jacket Journey provides freshmen […]
An HPU Tradition Lives On
By: Maddie King/ Beanies. The Gauntlet. Boot Camp. Roundup. Fry Like Bacon. Tug of War. For any student who has ever participated in freshmen orientation at Howard Payne University, these words bring back memories of what students now know as Daze of Payne. Daze of Payne is a week full of fun events aimed to […]
It’s Your Civic Duty – Editorial
By Maddie King/ Participating in democracy is a basic, but sometimes difficult part of being an American citizen. Especially in today’s society, at every turn it seems like we’re getting different information that confuses us and makes it difficult to discern what is true and what is fake. Young voters are especially getting the brunt […]
Women’s Soccer Adds Two New Coaches
By: Kate Nordhaus/ The Howard Payne University women’s soccer team 2024 season is well under way, and Head Coach Brandon Badgeley is looking to improve after leading his team last year to a 10-7-2 record. With two new assistant coaches added to the mix, Badgeley wants to continue to build on last year to try […]
HPU Women’s Soccer Makes History
By: Kate Nordhaus/ The Howard Payne women’s soccer team made their way to Edinburg, Texas for a historic match against a Division I program, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley on September 5. The Lady Jackets set a record by being the first team at HPU to play on ESPN+. In the first half, the […]
HPU’s New Chapel Theme
By: Kate Nordhaus/ On Wednesday, August 21, Howard Payne University kicked off its first week of school with its ceremonial Convocation chapel. Each semester, Wednesdays at 10 a.m. are set aside for HPU students, faculty, and staff to gather together in Mims Auditorium to worship and listen to a speaker. The theme for this school […]
Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Wade Ashby
By: Ryleigh Watson/ This year Howard Payne University has five new faculty members. Dr.Wade Ashby is the new dean of Online Education, associate professor and chair of the Department of Computer Information Sciences. Ashby came to HPU from Hardin Simmons University in Abilene. “I felt God saying ‘Hey I have more for you’ and then […]
Faithful, He Is: Chapel to be Led by Female Speaker
By: Katelyn Sims/ Dr. Irene Gallegos, director of Hunger and Care Ministries for Texas Baptists Christian Life Commission, will speak at Howard Payne University’s (HPU) chapel session on Feb. 21. This is the first time in almost three years that HPU has had a female speaker, and Gallegos has quite a remarkable reputation that places […]
SASW Strives to Create Leaders and Help Others
By: Chandler Britton/ Despite her many titles, “God led her to teach social work.” That’s what Shantel R. Oplotnik, advisor of the Student Association of Social Work, assistant professor of social work, and director of field education said defines her job. Oplotnik graduated from HPU in 2019 and went on to receive her master’s degree […]
Sang Can Sing: Chapel Band Gains Male Lead Vocalist
By Natalia Rich For the first time in a few years, there is a new male lead singer for the Heritage Chapel Band, freshman Christian Studies major from Garland Biak Sang. Sang has been the “talk of the town” recently for being the only male lead singer as of right now for the band. Sang […]
HPU Gains Two New Resident Directors
By Maddie King: Residence halls are a major part of the Howard Payne University student experience. From everyday living to student safety to fun events, the resident directors manage all that residence halls are. This year HPU has two new resident directors. Kristen Faulkner, ‘01, is the new RD for Veda Hodge Hall, and Jake […]
Stay Genuine Everywhere, Even on the Lawn
By Shelby Lintelman/ Earlier this semester, many Howard Payne University students gathered in Grace Chapel for “Genuine,” a ministry of Coggin Avenue Baptist Church. Genuine is a ministry for college students that is led by Billy Cash, college pastor at CABC. It is a ministry that meets weekly on Sunday nights at 7 p.m. and […]
A Jacket’s First Journey
By Maddie Escalon, Cody Hineman, & Natalia Rich/ Jacket Journey at Howard Payne University is a new student’s first HPU tradition. The Director of Student Leadership and Engagement Kailee Torgerson said she believes Jacket Journey helps students get involved and make relationships before their first class starts. “Jacket Journey is a time for new students, […]
Spiritual Health Care for Students
By Emily Hughitt | HPU’s Godly environment is what shapes the school and the student experience. From bible classes and chapel to staff who want to get to know the students and pray for them, the campus is well loved and well served. Students on campus have many opportunities to serve and be spiritually fed on […]