Howard Payne University celebrated the history and legacy of African-American individuals during a special chapel service held recently in honor of Black History Month. Members of the African-American chapter of HPU’s Alumni Association, current students and former students presented poetry, music and stories during the service titled “Pressing on with Precision and Purpose.”
The emotionally charged celebration paid homage to pioneers in the black community. One portion of the service challenged the audience to consider life without the influence of African-Americans. With black inventors responsible for the creation of everyday items such as the carbon filament in light bulbs, the audience was, at one point, literally left in the dark.
“It was an exciting time for the African-American Alumni chapter of the HPU Alumni Association to have this opportunity to come back and be a part of student life,” said Gladys Barnes Murray ’80 of Austin, secretary of the chapter and retired CIO of the Texas Youth Commission. “We the alumni were part of a new era of transition at HPU and hope to recruit some of the recent graduates to be a part of this chapter. The program was very educational and students as well as staff and faculty approached us and expressed their gratitude and appreciation for coming and being a part of the Black History Month celebration.”
Other program participants included Jacquelyn A. Banks ’72 of Austin; Aaron Blake ’95 of Brownwood; Joyce Louis Clay ’77 of Giddings; Joshua Clayton, a sophomore from Humble; L. J. Clayton ’84 of San Antonio; Kalari Faultry, a freshman from Houston; Jenny Goff, a sophomore from Austin; Laura Gooden (Morris)’79 of Pflugerville; Amber Jones, a sophomore from Rosenberg; Deborah Jones ’73 of Texas City; Adelia Kirk of Brownwood; Ernest Kirk of Brownwood; Charles Louis ’76 of Amarillo; Miriam Mackey, a sophomore from Hutto; Carol (Liz) Mahoney of Texas City; Charles A. Marshall ’75 of San Antonio; Charlotte Ann Marshall ’73 of San Antonio; Richard Porche, a freshman from Kyle; Wanda Rainey ’81 of Brownwood; Edward Robinson of Brownwood; Wilbert Rogers ’75 of Dallas; and Shirley Sanders ’72 of Texas City.
Also in attendance was Alvin Anderson ’69 of Aubrey, the first African-American graduate of HPU.
“I thoroughly enjoyed working with our African-American Alumni Chapter to provide this opportunity for our students,” said Dr. Brent Marsh, vice president for student life and dean of students. “It was an educational and meaningful chapel service and one that our students truly enjoyed.”
Pictured above: HPU alumni, current students and former students delivered a moving presentation in recognition of Black History Month.
