Plans are underway for Howard Payne University’s Celebration Week, April 12-16, featuring the Inauguration of Dr. William N. Ellis as the university’s 19th president. The week-long slate of events will highlight HPU’s history and mission through the theme “Heritage, Purpose, Unity.” Additional Celebration Week events include the dedications of the newly renovated Mims Auditorium and the Paul and Jane Meyer Faith and Life Leadership Center. Also scheduled are the third annual Currie-Strickland Distinguished Lectures in Christian Ethics.
“We are looking forward to this historic week in the life of the university,” said Dr. Ellis. “My wife, Diana, and I have been looking forward to Celebration Week, which will be an exciting time for Howard Payne with the much-anticipated facility dedications along with many other significant events. We would be honored to have alumni and friends participate in the week’s festivities.”
On Monday, April 12, and Tuesday, April 13, faculty members will give presentations on “Heritage, Purpose, Unity” at noon in the Bullion Suites of the Mabee University Center.
On Wednesday, April 14, activities will include the Currie-Strickland Distinguished Lectures in Christian Ethics, with emphasis on the ethical teachings of the late Dr. Nat Tracy, a member of HPU’s Bible faculty from 1950 to 1975. The event will be held from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Richard and Wanda Jackson Conference Room, inside the Paul and Jane Meyer Faith and Life Leadership Center. This facility is located next to Mims Auditorium.
On Thursday, April 15, at 10:00 a.m. ribbon cuttings will be held for Mims Auditorium and the Paul and Jane Meyer Faith and Life Leadership Center featuring Grace Chapel and the Richard and Wanda Jackson Conference Room. Immediately following, the Dedication Ceremony for these facilities will be held in Mims Auditorium featuring HPU alumna Dr. Cynthia Clawson Courtney ’70. Dr. Courtney has received a Grammy and five Dove Awards for her work and was inducted into the Texas Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2005.
On Friday, April 16, at 8:30 a.m., the Community Worship Service will be held in Grace Chapel featuring Alicia Williamson Garcia, a noted artist, author, television host and founder of Women in Worship.
Also on Friday, the Pre-Inaugural Concert presented by the School of Music and Fine Arts will take place in Mims Auditorium at 10:30 a.m. The Inaugural Convocation for Dr. William N. Ellis will follow at 11:00 a.m. Concluding the Celebration Week festivities will be the Inaugural Reception to be held at 12:30 p.m. on the Muse Plaza and Mall.
The public is invited to these events. For more information, please contact the Office of University Marketing and Communications at 325-649-8409.
