Howard Payne University recently hosted the second annual Robnett Founders Dinner, with the J.E. & L.E. Mabee Foundation, Inc., of Midland honored as the recipient of the 2024 Dr. John D. Robnett Founders Award. Funds raised from the event benefited student scholarships. More than 420 attended the event, with 54 tables sponsored by supporters. The event was held in the Brownwood Coliseum.
The Robnett Founders Dinner was established to honor an individual or organization which has made a major impact on the university and in the furthering of its work in the lives of students. Proceeds from the dinner each year, named in memory of Dr. John David Robnett, a founder of HPU, benefit a major project at the university. Student scholarships were the project of focus for this year’s event, and several members of the Robnett family were in attendance.
Since its formation in 1948, the Mabee Foundation has made grants totaling over $1.5 billion. Normally limited to capital expenditures and the purchase of major medical equipment, the Mabee Foundation exclusively funds projects located in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arkansas, Missouri and Kansas. However, in honor of the 75th anniversary of its founding, the Mabee Foundation awarded $75,000,000 in special grants, many of which went outside its normal capital and challenge grant focused scope. Included in these special grants was a grant to HPU in the amount of $1,000,000 to endow the J.E. & L.E. Mabee Foundation Endowed Scholarship.
“We were privileged to celebrate the Mabee Foundation at the second annual Robnett Founders Dinner,” said Dr. Cory Hines ’97, HPU president. “The foundation has provided resources for capital projects and scholarships beginning in 1974 and continuing to this day, and this support has a lasting impact on our students and their experience. I’m thankful to all who participated in this wonderful event. Their recent investment in student scholarships is a direct investment in the next generation, which desperately needs the type of Christ-centered education that HPU provides.”
The keynote speaker for the event was K. Michael Conaway, who retired from Congress in 2021 after serving eight terms as U.S. Representative from District 11 in West Texas. Other individuals participating in the program were Dr. Hines; Marc Dingler ’84, first vice chairman of HPU’s Board of Trustees; Dr. Ronny Marriott ’87, Board of Trustees member and president of Texas Baptists; Robert Morrison ’82, chairman of HPU’s Board of Trustees; Payton Chumbley, HPU student and Mabee Scholarship recipient; Patricia GaribayBartolo, HPU student and Mabee Scholarship recipient; and Miki Martin ’80, member of the HPU Alumni Association Board of Directors.
Providing music was a group of alumni members of the Heritage Singers as well as current students who are members of Heritage, HPU’s Chapel band. The ensembles were led by Dr. Christopher Rosborough ’08, associate professor of music, director of choral activities and chair of the Department of Music, and Carlton Dillard, choral director. The Heritage Singers performances were coordinated by Steve ’72 and Sophia ’70 Faulkner. The event was catered by Sodexo.
HPU expresses its appreciation to the event’s sponsors for helping to make the dinner a success. Award Sponsor was Texas Baptists. Platinum Sponsor was Mrs. Lynda and Mr. Paul ’71 Waldrop.
Gold Sponsors were Mr. Jay and Mrs. Jenny Allison; Mr. Ronnie ’83 and Mrs. Teri ’83 Andrews; Brookshire’s Grocery; Bruner Toyota; Mr. Guy ’74 and Mrs. Nancy Garner, III; Mr. Woody ’80 and Mrs. Miki ’80 Martin; and Mr. Ben and Mrs. Bertha Mieth.
Silver Sponsors were CapinCrouse LLP; Mr. Rodney and Mrs. Debra Cavett; Mr. Neal ’66 and Mrs. Sharon ’65 Guthrie; Oakwood Baptist Church, New Braunfels; Mr. Marlon ’90 and Mrs. Sherry Prichard; and Underwood’s BBQ.
Navy Sponsors were Mr. Daniel ’08 and Mrs. Emily ’09 Attaway; Mr. Charles Boland, CPA; Mr. Paul ’88 and Mrs. Sheri Byrom; Citizens National Bank; Rev. L.J. ’78 and Mrs. Lori ’76 Clayton; First Baptist Church Brownwood; Mr. Bill and Mrs. Cecil Fishback; Mr. David and Mrs. Wendy Grooms; Mr. Wayne and Mrs. Kara Hamilton; Hendrick Health; Dr. Cory ’97 and Mrs. Melinda Hines; Ann Jones Real Estate; Jones Carpet; Kohler; Dr. Dan and Mrs. Cynthia ’76 Locker; MCBank; Dr. Dale ’98 and Mrs. Christy ’98 Meinecke; Mr. Jake Montoya ’73; Mr. David and Mrs. Cindy Robnett; Mr. Michael and Mrs. Jane Rodgers; The Sparrow Foundation; Texas Clean; Texas Goldstar Real Estate; TexasBank; and Mr. James ’70 and Mrs. Jeanie ’70 Williamson.
Providing table sponsorships were Mr. Mike ’72 and Mrs. Elizabeth Cochran; Coggin Avenue Baptist Church; Mr. Mickey and Mrs. Linda Eddins; Hon. Steve and Mrs. Mary Jane Ellis; Guidestone Financial Resources; Dr. Ben ’04 and Mrs. Ashley Martin; Dr. Nate and Mrs. Kristina Penland; Mr. Robert and Mrs. Sally Porter; and Dr. Robert ’13 and Mrs. Clairissa Tucker.
Details about the third annual Robnett Founders Dinner will be announced in spring 2025. To make a gift for student scholarships, please visit www.hputx.edu/give.