Six Howard Payne University students were honored recently for their acts of servant leadership on campus and in the local community. Awards were presented during HPU’s annual Servant Leadership Program in April.
Two May 2012 graduates were presented with the Nat Tracy Servant Leader Awards – Monique Ching of Brownwood, who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications, and Leah Gonzalez of San Antonio, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in social work.
The Nat Tracy Servant Leader Award was established in 1998 to honor HPU seniors who best demonstrate servant leadership qualities as exemplified by the life of the late Dr. Nat Tracy, a member of HPU’s Bible faculty from 1950-1975.
The Howard Payne University Servant Leadership Award was presented to four junior-level students. Recipients include: Carlee Ammons, a communication studies major from Richmond; Jacob Aschmutat, a political science major from Corpus Christi; Karla Kalantar, a social work major from Houston; and Rachel Wohl, a social work major from San Angelo.
Established in 2007 by the Moore Foundation and Barney II Foundation, this award recognizes student excellence in the areas of leadership and service. A $1,000 scholarship is provided to each recipient of the award, and each student designates $250 of his/her scholarship award to be given to his/her chosen charity.
“We are pleased to be able to honor those students who have distinguished themselves in significant ways through service to others,” said Dr. Brad Johnson, senior vice president for institutional advancement. “These students have honored HPU, but more importantly they have honored Christ through their acts of service.”
A call for nominations for both awards goes out to the HPU community early each spring. Nominations for these awards are made by HPU staff, faculty and students. A selection committee meets to review the nominations, select four HPU Servant Leadership Awards and recommend two students to the president for the Nat Tracy Servant Leader awards.
