January 19, 2010 – Howard Payne University has recently been notified that the institution will receive a new endowed scholarship valued at more than $800,000 from the estate of the late Harold Meyer and his late wife, Margaret.

In 1973, the Meyers established a charitable remainder annuity trust (CRAT) for the benefit of Howard Payne University. The trust assets included property in Pecos, Texas. Upon the death of both grantors, the funds from the CRAT created the Harold G. and Margaret F. Meyer Endowed Scholarship Fund. Earnings from the fund are to be used for scholarships for deserving students preparing for Christian vocations.

“We are deeply grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Meyer for their faithfulness to Christian higher education,” said HPU President Dr. Bill Ellis. “Many very deserving students with plans for vocational Christian ministry will be beneficiaries of the Meyers’ great foresight and generosity.”

Howard Payne University has trained thousands of men and women for places of Christian service around the world since its founding by local Baptist minister John D. Robnett more than a century ago. This endowment will serve HPU students with vocational plans including the pastorate, youth and education ministry, Christian counseling, missionary work and teaching.

Mr. Meyer was born on May 16, 1903 and passed away on January 1, 1980. He was a manager at J.C. Penney in Pecos for several years before becoming manager of Pecos Chamber of Commerce. Born March 24, 1917, Mrs. Meyer passed away on December 20, 2009, following a lengthy illness. She was a longtime music teacher at Pecos Elementary. The Meyers are survived by their daughter, Beverly Hartsfield of Lake Oswego, Oregon.