Howard Payne University will graduate 100 students during the fall Commencement ceremony this Saturday, December 9, 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 Rev. Ray Still, senior pastor of Oakwood Baptist Church in New Braunfels. Rev. Still is a member of HPU’s Board of Trustees and will begin a term as chairman of the board in January.
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; Bryan Baker, candidate for graduation; Dr. Robert Bicknell, accreditation liaison to the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools; 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; Dr. Gary Gramling ’81, director of the Christian studies graduate programs and professor of Christian studies; Matthew Haynie ’09, president of the Alumni Association; Dr. Millard J. Kimery, Jr., dean of the School of Humanities and professor of English; Dr. Brad Lemler, dean of the School of Business and professor of accounting; Dr. Wendy McNeeley, assistant vice president of university records; 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; Dr. Christopher Rosborough ’08, assistant professor of music; 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, December 8, by the 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.
Rev. Ray Still