More than 1,000 students, alumni and guests participated in homecoming weekend events at Howard Payne University, including the homecoming parade, HPU family picnic, the alumni choir concert, “Cobbler on Campus” and the homecoming pep rally. HPU’s 2024 alumni honorees were recognized during the homecoming football game. They are Lauren Browning, Outstanding Young Graduate; Robert Cuellar, Dr. José Rivas Distinguished Service Award; Steve and Carla Evans, JAM Faithful Servant Award; Loretta Houston, Coming Home Queen; Wilbert Rogers, Medal of Service; Kathy Strawn, Distinguished Alumna; and Joe Young, Grand Marshal. Also during halftime, Regan Noel and Jack Shackelford were named Homecoming Queen and King, and the titles of Homecoming Princess and Prince went to Hannah Noel and Blaine Onick.
Houston Christian University held its fall Missions Fair Oct. 23 to introduce students to opportunities to serve locally, nationally and internationally next summer. Representatives from 16 organizations, including Texas Baptists’ Go NOW Missions, were available to interact with students and share specific opportunities that might match students’ majors, interests and gifts. The fair followed Convocation, the University’s weekly campus worship service, where speaker Boto Joseph—a minister at Seven Mile Road Church in Houston—preached from Luke 10:25–37.
Wayland Baptist University announced the inauguration ceremony of Donna R. Hedgepath as its 14th president will take place at 10 a.m., Nov. 18, in Harral Memorial Auditorium on Wayland’s Plainview campus. The public is invited to attend the ceremony, which marks the beginning of a new chapter for Wayland Baptist University as Hedgepath formally assumes leadership, following the retirement of Bobby Hall in June. Hedgepath previously served as vice president and provost at Campbellsville University in Kentucky.
Students from Baptist University of the Américas participated in a mission trip to Monterrey, Mexico, Oct. 9-13. In partnership with the youth group from Príncipe de Paz church, BUA students shared the gospel and hosted a mental health care conference. Each of the BUA students led a workshop at the conference. Accompanied by Abe Jaquez, president of BUA, Orlando Contreras, facilities coordinator and Rob Arevalo, student experience coordinator, the team also shared the gospel at Tecnológico de Monterrey.
Two Texas Baptists—J.T. “Tommy” Lent Jr. and Bruce Webb—were named to the board of directors of 21Wilberforce, a human rights organization committed to international religious freedom for all people. Lent, a retired oil and gas industry executive, is a member of First Baptist Church in Marble Falls. Webb is senior pastor of First Baptist Church of The Woodlands. They began their three-year term on the board Oct. 24 and are eligible to serve a maximum of three terms.
Anniversaries
First Baptist Church in Temple celebrated 150 years, Oct. 27.
Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas is celebrating its 85th anniversary on Nov. 3.
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