Howard Payne University held the Inauguration ceremony of Dr. William N. Ellis as its 19th President Friday, April 16.

The historic inaugural activities began with a Community Worship Service featuring Alicia Williamson Garcia in Grace Chapel in the Paul and Jane Meyer Faith and Life Leadership Center. Activities then moved to the newly renovated Mims Auditorium where faculty from HPU’s Department of Music will presented the Pre-Inaugural Concert.

The Inaugural Convocation ceremony on Friday morning in Mims Auditorium featured a line of speakers including past HPU presidents, Brownwood Mayor Bert V. Massey II, and others close to Dr. Ellis. The Investiture was performed by Mr. Brad Helbert, chairman of HPU’s Board of Trustees, and Dr. Don Newbury, university chancellor.

Dr. Ellis was named as the institution’s 19th president on July 28, 2009, by HPU’s Board of Trustees. He had served as provost and chief academic officer at Hardin-Simmons University since 2001. Dr. Ellis graduated Summa Cum Laude from Hardin-Simmons University with the Bachelor of Arts degree in English and history. Additionally, he earned the Master of Arts degree in modern American literature from Texas Tech University and the Doctor of Philosophy degree in American Romanticism from the University of Colorado, Boulder.  He has also pursued post-graduate study at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

See photos below from Friday’s inaugural activities as well as a short video of the Investiture ceremony.

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