Howard Payne University’s Homecoming celebration will be held this Friday and Saturday, October 23 and 24. The theme this year is “Living Your Dreams” with a total of 37 events being held throughout the weekend.
“We are looking forward to another great Homecoming weekend,” said HPU Coordinator Alumni Relations Mrs. Kristy Mitchell. “This is one of the most exciting times at HPU each year as our wonderful alumni return to campus. There are several special events this year, including the Doakie Day Art Center Dedication, a new1970s Gathering, BSM Coffee House and the 50th Anniversary of the cast from A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Also, the HPU soccer, volleyball and football teams will all be playing, providing many opportunities to cheer on the Yellow Jackets!”
The HPU Music Department is presenting the classic musical Guys and Dolls on Friday, Oct. 23 and Saturday, Oct. 24 at 7:30 p.m. in the HPU Theatre. A final performance is scheduled to begin on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Tickets for the play can be reserved by calling the HPU box office at 325-649-8516. Tickets are $5 adults and $4 for students.
Other Homecoming events include the following:
The Golden Graduate Luncheon will honor 1959 graduates with commemorative diplomas on Friday at noon in Bullion Suites, Mabee Center.
The Alumni Awards Banquet will be held on Friday, Oct. 23 beginning at 7 p.m. in the Beadel Dining Area, Mabee Center, during which the 2009 Homecoming Honorees will be recognized. Doors will open at 6:40 p.m.
Alumni will have the opportunity to meet HPU’s new president, Dr. Bill Ellis, at the second annual All-Class Breakfast in the Bullion Suites on Saturday beginning at 8 a.m.
The HPU Homecoming Parade will travel through downtown Saturday, Oct. 24 beginning at 10 a.m. The parade will wind its way from the Coliseum down Center Avenue and end on Fisk Street at the HPU campus.
The university-wide picnic, Picnic on the Plaza, catered by Underwood’s Cafeteria and Sodexho campus catering, will be held following the parade. Parade winners will be announced, while barbeque, rolls, and cobbler are being served. The picnic begins at 11:30 at the Muse Mall and Plaza.
The HPU Yellow Jacket football team will play against Louisiana College at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday at Gordon Wood Stadium.
Following the football game, three outstanding athletes and the 2007-08 Lady Jackets basketball team will be inducted in the Sports Hall of Fame at the annual banquet beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the Bullion Suites in the Mabee Center.
Ticket purchases can be made on Friday and Saturday in Homecoming Headquarters, located in the Wellness Center.
Below is the full schedule of events for HPU’s Homecoming Weekend.
Thursday, October 22
7:30 p.m. Homecoming Musical: Guys & Dolls – HPU Theatre
Friday, October 23
10:00 a.m. Homecoming Convocation – First Baptist Church, Brownwood
Daniel Baker College Ex-Students Gathering – Balcony Room, Mabee Center
11:00 a.m. Doakie Day Art Center Dedication – Doakie Day Art Center
12:00 p.m. Golden Graduate Luncheon (Honoring the Class of 1959) – Bullion Suites A & B, Mabee Center
Class of 1949 Reunion Luncheon – Bell Room, Mabee Center
1:00 p.m. HPU Women’s Soccer vs. McMurry University – Citizens National Bank Soccer Field
2:00 p.m. Alumni Baseball Game – Don Shepard Park
3:00 p.m. HPU Men’s Soccer vs. McMurry University – Citizens National Bank Soccer Field
7:00 p.m. Alumni Awards Banquet – Beadel Dining Area, Mabee Center
7:30 p.m. Homecoming Musical: Guys & Dolls – HPU Theatre
8:00 p.m. Baptist Student Ministry Coffee House – The Hub at the Quinn House
Following Alumni Awards Banquet:
1950s Gathering (All Class Years) – First Baptist Church, Brownwood
1970s Gathering (All Class Years) – Foyer, Doakie Day Art Center
10:30 p.m. Bonfire – Heart of Texas Baptist Camp
Saturday, October 24
7:30 a.m. Letterman’s Breakfast – Balcony, Mabee Center
8:00 a.m. All-Class Breakfast (Meet HPU President Dr. Bill Ellis) – Bullion Suites A & B, Mabee Center
9:00 a.m. Concert Choir Performance – First Baptist Church, Brownwood
Math & Science Gathering – Winebrenner 105
10:00 a.m. Homecoming Parade – Downtown Brownwood
10:30 a.m. Campus Tours Available – Meet at Mabee Center
Delta Chi Rho Reunion – Bullion Suite C, Mabee Center
Little Jackets’ Nest – Muse Mall and Plaza
10:45 a.m. African-American Alumni Chapter Reunion – E-Café, Mabee Center
Zeta Zeta Zeta Reunion – Balcony, Mabee Center
Yellow Jacket Band Marching Exhibit – Old Main Park
Following Marching Exhibit:
Music Alumni Open House – Davidson Music Complex 11:30 a.m. Picnic on the Plaza – Muse Mall and Plaza
1:00 p.m. HPU Women’s Soccer vs. Hardin-Simmons University – Citizens National Bank Soccer Field
2:00 p.m. HPU Football vs. Louisiana College – Gordon Wood Stadium
3:00 p.m. HPU Men’s Soccer vs. Hardin-Simmons University – Citizens National Bank Soccer Field
4:00 p.m. HPU Women’s Volleyball vs. Schreiner University – Brownwood Coliseum
5:00 p.m. “Dream” Reunion 50th Anniversary – Balcony, Mabee Center
Following Football Game:
Academy of Freedom Alumni Reception – Hall of Christian Civilization, Academy
Tau Beta Sigma 30th Reunion – Davidson Music Complex
7:30 p.m. Sports Hall of Fame Banquet – Bullion Suites, Mabee Center
Homecoming Musical: Guys & Dolls – HPU Theatre
Sunday, October 25
2:30 p.m. Homecoming Musical: Guys & Dolls -HPU Theatre
Schedule subject to change
