FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HPU announces inauguration of Dr. Cory Hines as 20th president
BROWNWOOD – August 12, 2019 – Howard Payne University proudly announces the inauguration of Cory Hines, Ph.D., as the 20th president in the institution’s 130-year history. Inauguration activities are scheduled for September 17-21, 2019, with the Inauguration Ceremony to be held on September 18 at 2 p.m. in Mims Auditorium.
Other activities open to the public include the Inaugural Chapel Service at 10 a.m. on September 18; the Inaugural Reception, following the Inauguration Ceremony; and the Inaugural HPU Family Tailgate, scheduled for 11 a.m. on September 21, preceding the HPU football game at Gordon Wood Stadium. Details on inauguration activities are available here.
“On behalf of the Howard Payne University Board of Trustees, I am pleased to invite the public to our campus as we formally inaugurate Dr. Cory Hines as our new president,” said Pastor Ray Still, chair of HPU’s Board of Trustees. “HPU has planned a full slate of meaningful activities that will appropriately honor our institution’s past as well as the exciting new era that has already begun under Dr. Hines’ leadership.”
Dr. Hines, a 1997 graduate of HPU, was named president at a special meeting of the university’s Board of Trustees on March 18, 2019. His first official day in office was April 1.
“The circumstances of these past few months have reminded me again and again how blessed I am to have been called to lead my treasured alma mater,” Dr. Hines said. “I am both honored and humbled by these upcoming inauguration activities, and I look forward to joining with the extended HPU family as together we celebrate this university and express our gratitude to God for His faithfulness to HPU throughout the past 130 years.”
Dr. Hines, a native of Gainesville, Texas, earned the Bachelor of Arts degree in religious education from HPU in 1997. He pursued graduate work at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he earned the Master of Arts degree in Christian education in 2000, and Dallas Baptist University, where he earned the Doctor of Philosophy degree in leadership studies – higher education in 2012.
Prior to his return to HPU, Dr. Hines served as an administrator at Dallas Baptist University. During his years at DBU, he held various leadership roles as vice president in the areas of enrollment, advancement, graduate affairs, external affairs, and alumni and community relations. He also taught at DBU and provided leadership in the creation of several graduate programs there. His professional experience also includes full-time ministry, having served as executive pastor and student pastor at Ferris Avenue Baptist Church (now The Avenue Church) in Waxahachie.
Dr. Hines and his wife, Melinda, have two children, Mackenzie and Caleb.
