Press Release – Howard Payne University will confer 100 degrees during its December Commencement ceremony this Saturday, December 10, beginning at 10 a.m. at the Brownwood Coliseum.
Dr. Bill Ellis, university president, and other university representatives will confer the undergraduate and graduate degrees. Dr. Terry Carter, 1974 HPU graduate and professor of Christian history and ministry at Ouachita Baptist University, will deliver the charge to the graduates.
Additional Commencement program participants include Corey Ash ’92, associate professor of music and director of bands; Dr. Donnie Auvenshine ’75, dean of the School of Christian Studies and professor of Christian studies; Shaefer McIntyre Church, graduating senior; Dr. Gerry Clarkson, faculty president and associate professor of physical science; Jane Collette ’81, president of HPU’s Alumni Association; Dr. Gary Gramling ’81, director of HPU’s graduate program in youth ministry and professor of Christian studies; Dr. Millard J. Kimery, dean of the School of Humanities and professor of English; Dr. Nancy Kucinski, dean of graduate studies and professor of management at Hardin-Simmons University; Dr. Brad Lemler, dean of the School of Business and professor of accounting; Dr. Matthew McNiece ’03, director of HPU’s Guy D. Newman Honors Academy and associate professor of history; John Nickols, assistant professor of history and government; Dr. Debra Powell, associate professor of business administration; Carter Sharpe, chairman of HPU’s Board of Trustees; Dr. W. Mark Tew, provost and chief academic officer; Lana Wagner ’97, registrar; and the HPU Instrumental Ensemble.
The Commencement ceremony will be preceded on Friday, December 9, by Chime Out, an HPU tradition in which graduating seniors pass a chain of ivy to underclassmen, symbolizing the passing of authority, responsibility and privileges to those students who remain on campus to carry on the traditions of the university. Chime Out begins at 6 p.m. at the university’s Mims Auditorium.
