Howard Payne University graduated 145 students at its Commencement ceremony at the close of the spring 2012 semester. Dr. Bill Ellis, university president; Dr. David L. Lowrie, Jr., chairman of HPU’s Board of Trustees; and other university administrators conferred the degrees.
Graduates include:
Amarillo
Justin Bryant – Bachelor of Science in business administration, summa cum laude
Aquilla
Benny Worley – Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing
Aransas Pass
Roy Lindley – Bachelor of Arts in practical theology
Argyle
Amanda Jenkins – Bachelor of Science in business administration and exercise and sport science, summa cum laude
Arlington
Joshua Dada – Associate in Health Science in health sciences
Atascosa
Kelsey Scott – Bachelor of Science in business administration
Austin
Marshall Simpson – Bachelor of Arts in Christian education
Azle
Matthew Muehlen – Bachelor of Science in biology, magna cum laude
Kayla Scott – Bachelor of Science in mathematics, summa cum laude
Bangs
Tina Fuentes – Bachelor of Science in business administration, cum laude
Theron Parson – Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice
Lindsay Perez – Master of Education in instructional leadership
Amanda Wilburn – Bachelor of Science in elementary education (early childhood – grade 6), summa cum laude
Bardwell
Nathan Berneking – Bachelor of Arts in general psychology
Baytown
Brian Asp – Bachelor of Business Administration in management (marketing emphasis)
Beaumont
Roshonda Gayden – Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in criminal justice
Belton
Elizabeth Graham – Bachelor of Science in Academy of Freedom, political science/public policy and business administration, summa cum laude
Benbrook
Jennifer Crawford – Bachelor of Business Administration in business administration (management specialization)
Bertram
Alisha Locklear – Bachelor of Science in elementary education (early childhood – grade 6), summa cum laude
Big Lake
Brit Campbell – Bachelor of Science in social studies composite, cum laude
Blanket
Tyler Harkey – Bachelor of Arts in psychology (counseling/clinical)
Bloomfield, N.M.
Jeremy Johnson – Bachelor of Science in computer information systems
Skyler Maley – Bachelor of Arts in youth ministry
Brownwood
Kyle Berry – Bachelor of Science in business administration
Aaron Bowen – Bachelor of Arts in English/language arts (grade 8-12)
Richard Cartwright – Bachelor of Arts in Christian studies (Bible specialization)
Bradley Cloud – Bachelor of Arts in social work
Amary Doremus – Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in general studies
Hannah Gramling – Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing, summa cum laude
Holly Hawkins – Bachelor of Arts in psychology (family psychology)
Kacey Humphries – Bachelor of Science in biology
Ashley Jaynes – Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in general studies
Cory Langford – Bachelor of Science in computer information systems (system development)
Sarah Langford – Bachelor of Science in standard chemistry and mathematics, magna cum laude
Jose Lopez – Bachelor of Arts in music (instrumental)
Jay Maddox – Bachelor of Science in psychology (counseling/clinical)
Ashley McLaughlin – Bachelor of Arts in art communication
Tiffany Minshew – Bachelor of Science in elementary education (early childhood – grade 4)
Adrian Norway – Bachelor of Science in biology, summa cum laude
Kristina Owen – Master of Education in instructional leadership
Chelsey Revay – Bachelor of Science in English/language arts (grade 8-12), summa cum laude
Matthew Roddam – Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting, cum laude
Kayla Seiley – Bachelor of Business Administration in business administration (management specialization)
Abby Selman – Bachelor of Arts in English, summa cum laude
Joshua Sheffield – Bachelor of Science in computer information systems (system development)
Jessica Switzer – Bachelor of Arts in English/language arts (grade 4-8)
Ashley Unger – Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in general studies
Nathan Willingham – Bachelor of Arts in communication (public and media)
Burleson
Stephanie Stokes – Bachelor of Arts in Academy of Freedom, political science/public policy and English
Burnet
Lindsey Gholson – Bachelor of Science in general psychology, summa cum laude
Carrollton
Jaime Benitez – Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice
Clifton
Caitlin Bergren – Bachelor of Arts in art communication
Clinton, N.Y.
Kara Keeley – Bachelor of Science in general psychology and social work
Comanche
Lindsey Hardin – Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing
Jarrett Isbell – Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing
Elizabeth Miffleton – Bachelor of Arts in psychology (counseling/clinical) and criminal justice
Zachary Varner – Bachelor of Business Administration in management information systems, summa cum laude
Combine
Tayler Jones – Bachelor of Arts in social studies composite
Conroe
Chelsea Harris – Bachelor of Arts in psychology (family psychology)
Copperas Cove
Jhonoven Pati – Bachelor of Science in criminal justice
Corpus Christi
Adam Hardy – Bachelor of Arts in Academy of Freedom, political science and biblical languages, summa cum laude
Corey Wigger – Bachelor of Arts in Bible
Crosby
Kaylyn Griswold – Bachelor of Arts in elementary education (early childhood – grade 4), summa cum laude
Crowley
Amber Schroepfer – Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing
Decatur
Rachel Blankenship – Bachelor of Arts in general psychology
Del Rio
Hannah Pippen – Bachelor of Arts in cross-cultural studies
Early
Tonie Contreras – Bachelor of Arts in English/language arts (grade 4-8), cum laude
Jennifer Crowder – Bachelor of Science in general psychology
Mallory Drew – Bachelor of Science in elementary education (early childhood – grade 6)
Luke Kilmartin – Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in Christian studies (composite concentration)
El Paso
Candace Cook – Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in business administration
Daniel Hernandez – Bachelor of Arts in practical theology
Alyssa Jones – Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in Christian studies (composite concentration)
Iban Torres – Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in Christian studies (composite concentration) and business administration
Euless
Danielle Van Eeden – Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting, summa cum laude
Florence
Hunter Taylor – Bachelor of Science in biology
Floresville
Clayton Garcia – Bachelor of Arts in youth ministry
Fort Worth
James Madsen – Bachelor of Arts in Christian education, cum laude
Frisco
Christopher Day – Bachelor of Arts in Christian education
Garland
Julia Hironaga – Bachelor of Music in music performance (piano concentration), summa cum laude
Gatesville
Sarah McKamie – Bachelor of Science in biology, cum laude
Chance Taylor – Bachelor of Business Administration in management (marketing emphasis)
Georgetown
Jessica Bailey – Bachelor of Science in biology
Laura Davidson – Bachelor of Science in Academy of Freedom and political science, summa cum laude
Douglas Newton – Bachelor of Arts in practical theology
Granbury
Ruth Morris – Bachelor of Science in criminal justice
Harlingen
Gayle White – Master of Education in instructional leadership
Howe
Talitha Cook – Bachelor of Music in music/instrumental (all-level certification)
Huntsville
Josiah Bone – Bachelor of Science in social studies composite
Idalou
Aaron Alvarado – Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice
Iowa Park
Garrett Boland – Bachelor of Science in biology
Johnson City
John Goodwin – Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting
Katy
Melissa Meerkatz – Bachelor of Arts in youth ministry and general psychology
Killeen
Demetrius Cody – Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice
Lorenzo Green – Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in criminal justice
Korhnill, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong
Monique Ching – Bachelor of Arts in communication (public and media), magna cum laude
Kyle
Hannah Urbach – Bachelor of Arts in communication (public and media)
Lake Creek
Jacie Vaughn – Bachelor of Science in mathematics (grade 4-8), summa cum laude
Lantana
Julie Cook – Master of Education in instructional leadership
Las Cruces, N.M.
Kathryn Riley – Bachelor of Arts in cross-cultural studies, magna cum laude
Leander
Nathaniel Pepe – Bachelor of Science in business administration, magna cum laude
Lexington
Tabitha McBride – Bachelor of Arts in cross-cultural studies, summa cum laude
Lipan
Justin Southall – Bachelor of Arts in youth ministry
Lubbock
Amanda Hendrix – Bachelor of Science in art (all-level certification)
Marlin
Mark Jimenez – Bachelor of Arts in Spanish
Mesquite
Chandler Raine – Bachelor of Arts in Academy of Freedom and political science/prelaw, magna cum laude
Midland
Alyshia Harter – Bachelor of Arts in social work
Alexis Wilburn – Bachelor of Arts in psychology (psychology and ministry)
Midlothian
Lauren Hatcher – Bachelor of Science in elementary education (early childhood – grade 6), summa cum laude
Emily Nutt – Bachelor of Science in elementary education (early childhood – grade 6), cum laude
North Richland Hills
Zachary Howell – Bachelor of Business Administration in management (marketing emphasis)
Oak Point
Cory Edwards – Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice
Ovilla
Allison Harp – Bachelor of Arts in art communication and Spanish, magna cum laude
Palestine
Meredith Farley – Bachelor of Arts in social work, summa cum laude
Plano
Ruth Goode – Bachelor of Arts in Academy of Freedom, political science and family studies, summa cum laude
Rapid City, S.D.
Christopher O’Donnell – Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice
Red Oak
Brittney Robinson – Bachelor of Arts in social work, summa cum laude
Rising Star
Herminia Rodriguez – Bachelor of Arts in Spanish (all-level certification)
Round Rock
Michael George – Bachelor of Arts in youth ministry, summa cum laude
Jessica Kerr – Bachelor of Arts in elementary education (early childhood – grade 6)
Rowlett
Jordan Hammontree – Bachelor of Business Administration in business administration (marketing specialization), magna cum laude
Rebecca Reid – Bachelor of Arts in elementary education (early childhood – grade 4), summa cum laude
San Angelo
Amanda Burley – Bachelor of Science in mathematics and art communication, magna cum laude
San Antonio
Jacob Galan – Bachelor of Business Administration in business administration (management specialization)
Leah Gonzalez – Bachelor of Science in social work, cum laude
Santa Anna
Tona Holland – Bachelor of Science in elementary education (early childhood – grade 6), summa cum laude
Samuel Vasquez – Bachelor of Science in exercise and sport science (physical education)
Santo
Cody Gilbert – Bachelor of Arts in English/language arts (grade 8-12)
Severna Park, Md.
Emily Lewis – Bachelor of Arts in family studies, cum laude
Sonora
Kimble Luna – Bachelor of Science in family studies
Springtown
Kristin Hammond – Bachelor of Science in exercise and sport science (all-level certification)
Austin Smith – Bachelor of Arts in English/language arts (grade 8-12)
Stanton
Kandace Schuelke – Bachelor of Science in biology, magna cum laude
Temple
Holden Barrett – Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in criminal justice
Kara Cheney – Bachelor of Science in life science (grade 8-12)
Tennessee Colony
Callie Ellis – Bachelor of Arts in Academy of Freedom and political science/international studies, summa cum laude
Texarkana
Brittany Johnson – Bachelor of Science in exercise and sport science (physical education)
Thorndale
Brandon Irwin – Bachelor of Business Administration in business administration (management specialization), cum laude
Tyler
Christopher Lee – Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in criminal justice
Uvalde
Jonathan Graham – Bachelor of Business Administration in business administration (finance specialization), cum laude
Van Alstyne
Elizabeth Meynig – Bachelor of Arts in practical theology
Waco
Holly Lathern – Bachelor of Music in music (piano pedagogy and accompanying)
Weatherford
Brian Cunningham – Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting
Wills Point
Cassie Emerson – Bachelor of Science in elementary education (early childhood – grade 6), summa cum laude
Zephyr
Ciera Culpepper – Bachelor of Arts in family studies, summa cum laude
Students must have a 3.55-3.69 grade-point average to graduate cum laude; a 3.70-3.84 GPA to graduate magna cum laude; and a 3.85-4.0 GPA to graduate summa cum laude.