Several Howard Payne University students, faculty and staff members recently sported rather interesting beards and mustaches for a week – but it was all for a good cause. More than $4,000 was raised to help students from across Texas spread the word of God’s love around the globe.
HPU’s Baptist Student Ministry sponsored the “Mustache Wheel of Doom” to raise money for the Baptist General Convention of Texas’ Go Now Missions. Go Now sends students from universities across Texas, including HPU, to mission fields around the world.
Three teams composed of 10 HPU men grew out their beards for the month of November. They then found creative ways to get donations from friends, family members, classmates and other individuals. The teams that raised the least money spun the wheel and shaved in whichever style the wheel determined. The choices included stripes, pencil-thin mustaches, half-beards, “soul patches” and more.
The money was tallied at a campus event on Dec. 5, and people were given one last chance to donate to the team of their choice.
“Going in to the evening, we had $1,675 raised and turned in from the teams,” said Keith Platte, BSM director. “This was less than half our goal. To say I was a little nervous would be an understatement.”
But as the teams gathered to turn in their final amounts and give one last push for donations, the intensity built, Platte said.
“Students, faculty, staff and families were donating with their hearts and not just to see crazy guys spin a wheel,” he said. “Whether they realized it or not, the people were the answer to prayer for God to provide financial ways to help send students in the name of Jesus around the world to spread the Gospel and share the love of Jesus.”
The winning team – which raised the most money and was able to avoid the wheel – was composed of Dr. Bill Fowler, assistant professor of Christian studies; Brian Street, resident director for Jennings Hall; and students Colton Curry, a sophomore from Lubbock; Rick Henderson, a junior from Lubbock; Nick Kresge, a senior from Mesquite; Sam Powers, a sophomore from Henrietta; Salvatore Nappo, a sophomore from Fred; Clay Tyner, a senior from San Antonio; and Jordan Villanueva, a senior from Azle.
The second place team included Jake Aschmutat, a senior from Corpus Christi; Nathan Berneking, a senior from Bardwell; Marcos Corley, a freshman from Corpus Christi; Matt Peisker, a senior from Cedar Park; Marshall Simpson, a senior from Austin; Shaun Stratton, a senior from Wichita Falls; Zach Quinteros, a freshman from Crowley; and faculty/staff representatives Soren Baird, resident director of Taylor Hall and the campus apartments, and Mike Dillard, assistant professor of business administration.
Coming in third were Bracken Bean, a sophomore from Brady; Reid Burkett, a junior from Georgetown; Lacy Culpepper, a freshman from Zephyr; Conner Fisher, a freshman from Bertram; Mario Jiron, a junior from Ennis; Garrett Sadler, a sophomore from Stephenville; Luis Vallecillo, a junior from Brownwood; and faculty/staff representatives Dr. Derek Hatch, assistant professor of Christian studies, and Tyler Sellers, director of student activities.
In addition, six bearded faculty and staff members agreed to spin the wheel if $100 more was raised on the spot. A single person pledged the money to send them to the wheel. The brave group included Platte; Dr. Donnie Auvenshine, dean of the School of Christian Studies; Mike Daub, professor of accounting; Russell Ezzell, network administrator; Dr. Brent Marsh, vice president of student life and dean of students; and Shawn Shreves, associate professor of computer information systems.
They and the remaining teams stepped up to the wheel to learn the fate of their facial hair.
“Every option on the wheel ended up being spun,” Platte said. “Several guys ended up walking around with stripes in their beards, or only half of their face shaven, for the sake of sending students on mission in the name of Jesus Christ.”
Pictured above: Students Mike Peisker (left) and Marshall Simpson sport striped beards after spinning the wheel.
Pictured above, HPU faculty and staff members, Dr. Brent Marsh, Shawn Shreves, Mike Daub, Keith Platte and Dr. Derek Hatch, show off their new looks after spinning the “Mustache Wheel of Doom.”
Pictured above: Sophomore Mario Jiron spins the wheel to learn which mustache or beard choice he will receive.
