Brownwood ISD teachers, faculty, and administration will be treated to a presentation by guest speaker Dr. Don Newbury during this year’s convocation on Monday, August 18th.
Dr. Newbury, who is known as a philosopher, author, humorist, teacher, and patriot has made 5800 appearances in 45 states, but is probably best known locally as the “popcorn president” from his time spent as the Howard Payne University president from 1986 to 1997. Having given away more than 24 tons of popcorn over his 40 years in higher education, it was common knowledge among college students and the community that, “when the porch light’s on,” Dr. Newbury was giving away popcorn. He currently serves as Chancellor for HPU, a position he has held for the last 20 years.
As a native of rural Texas, Dr. Newbury was educated in Brown County, holding B.A., Master of Journalism and Ph.D. degrees from Howard Payne University, the University of Texas at Austin and the University of North Texas, respectively, with post-doctoral study at Nortre Dame. In addition, he was awarded Howard Payne University’s highest award: The Honorary Doctor of Humanities degree.
In 2002, Dr. Newbury published his first book, When the Porch Light’s On…Stories of People, Popcorn and Parasails, and has since released books annually including, Life by the Seat of the Pants, A Few Geese Short of a Gaggle, Stories from the Sunny Side, Funnier than Fiction, A Wheelbarrow Guy in a Digital World, Honk! If You’re Sick of Political Ads, As the World Churns and Life With IF in the Middle. He also writes a weekly column of humor and inspiration that appears in approximately 150 Texas newspapers and is heard on selected radio stations. The Idle American is now in its eight year of syndication.
Brownwood ISD is proud to welcome Dr. Newbury back to Brownwood as this year’s convocation guest speaker.
