HPU Press Release – Howard Payne University will graduate 161 students during the spring Commencement ceremony this Saturday, May 6, beginning at 10 a.m. at the Brownwood Coliseum. The Coliseum is located at 500 E. Baker Street in Brownwood.
Dr. Bill Ellis, university president, and other university representatives will confer the undergraduate and graduate degrees. Delivering the charge to the graduates is Dr. Danny Reeves ’94, senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Corsicana and president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas.
Additional 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; Dr. Kylah Clark-Goff, dean of the School of Education and professor of education; Dr. Gerry Clarkson, faculty president and associate professor of physical science; Leigh Ann Glaze, registrar; Dr. Gary Gramling ’81, director of the Christian studies graduate programs and professor of Christian studies; Dr. P. Graham Hatcher, professor of kinesiology; Matthew Haynie ’09, president of the Alumni Association; Dr. Millard J. Kimery, Jr., dean of the School of Humanities and professor of English; Thomas Kyle, candidate for graduation; Dr. Brad Lemler, dean of the School of Business and professor of accounting; Dr. Rodney McGlothlin, pastor of First Baptist Church in Brownwood; Dr. Matthew McNiece ’03, director of the Guy D. Newman Honors Academy and associate professor of history; Dr. Jane Metty-Samons, associate professor of education; Dr. Debra Powell, associate professor of business administration; Carter Sharpe, chairman of HPU’s Board of Trustees; Dr. W. Mark Tew, provost; and the HPU Instrumental Ensemble.
Commencement will be preceded on Friday, May 5, by the 60th-annual Chime Out ceremony, 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.
