Howard Payne University is a privateBaptist university in Brownwood, Texas, United States. It is affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas. Howard Payne College was founded by Noah T. Byers and John David Robnett in 1889. The institution is named for its first major benefactor, Edward Howard Payne, who was the brother-in-law of Robnett.[3]
Athletic programs include NCAA Division III football, baseball, softball, women's volleyball, men and women's soccer, basketball and tennis. The HPU mascot is a yellow jacket named "Buzzsaw".
On June 20, 1889, Howard Payne College was founded at Indian Creek by members of the Pecan Valley Baptist Association.[4] It was named for its first financial benefactor and Robnett's brother-in-law, Edward Howard Payne.[4] The first classes at HPC were held in 1890, with the first degree being granted in 1895 to Robnett. In 1915, the yellow jacket was chosen by Carrie (Camp) Allen as the university mascot.[4]
Thomas H. Taylor led the university through the Great Depression, which began just two months into his presidency.[4] Robert Mangrum, university historian of HPU, states that it was made apparent to Taylor at the 1930 Texas Baptist convention that HPU would have to be closed due to an inability to continue funding through the BGCT.[4] A faculty prayer meeting was held upon his return to Brownwood, writes Mangrum, and it was decided that HPC would continue to operate with no deficits through the receipts and endowment interests.[4]
Daniel Baker College, a Presbyterian college located in Brownwood, consolidated with HPC in 1953.[4] Taylor retired as the university's longest-serving president (26 years) after leading the college through the hardship of the Great Depression and helping the campus expand.[4]
Guy D. Newman was named president of HPC following Taylor's retirement.[5] Under Newman's leadership, the Douglas MacArthur Academy of Freedom was established.[4] The program is now called the Guy D. Newman Honors Academy and is still housed in the Academy of Freedom, formerly DBC's main building.[4] Newman retired in 1972.[5] HPC became Howard Payne University in 1974.[4]
Don Newbury, a 1961 graduate of HPU, served as president of the university from 1985 to 1997.[5] HPU's student enrollment increased significantly during Newbury's presidency.[4] The university also underwent numerous upgrades and additions to campus facilities.[4] HPU's "Buzzsaw" mascot was also announced in 1996, during Newbury's presidency.[4]
The university celebrated one of its most significant athletics successes during the 2000s, with the HPU women's basketball team capping a perfect 33-0 season by winning the 2008 NCAA Division III Women's Basketball National Championship.[4]
Cory Hines, a 1997 graduate of HPU, was named president in 2019.[5] Under his presidency, ground was broken for the Newbury Family Welcome Center in 2020.[4] Construction on the project was scheduled for completion in spring 2022.[4] The university also began restoring the Douglas MacArthur Academy of Freedom's wings in 2020.[4] Other campus improvement projects were completed in 2020 and 2021, including renovations to the Veda Hodge Residence Hall lobby, the Newbury Place Student Apartments and the lobbies of the Guy D. Newman Hall of American Ideals.[4]
Howard Payne University teams achieved national championship status in 1957 and 1964 in NAIACross country, and in 2008 with NCAA Division III Women's Basketball.[8]
In 2015 the university was granted an exception to Title IX allowing it to discriminate against LGBT students for religious reasons. In 2016 the organization Campus Pride ranked the college among the worst schools in Texas for LGBT students.[10]
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