Howard Payne University has expanded to three campuses across the state, and the university recently created a new administrative position to serve these extension centers. Dale Meinecke, a 1998 HPU graduate, was appointed assistant vice president for external programs and church relations.

In this capacity, Meinecke will oversee enrollment services and development of the university’s New Braunfels and El Paso campuses. He will also work to build relationships with area churches and associations to the mutual benefit of all institutions. His wife, Christy, also a 1998 graduate, was hired as an admission counselor, primarily for the New Braunfels campus.

“We are proud to welcome the Meineckes back to the HPU family,” said Dr. Bill Ellis, university president. “They are outstanding alumni and we are thrilled to have them return as ambassadors of the university.”

The Meineckes were highly engaged as students on campus and later returned to serve on staff. He was an HPU football coach and chapel coordinator from 2005 to 2006, and she served as an admission counselor from 1998 to 1999. The couple most recently worked at Grace Preparatory Academy in Arlington – he as dean of students and she as a kindergarten teacher. He graduated with a master’s degree in theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2005 and is working toward his doctorate in leadership studies at Dallas Baptist University.

“As I thought about the future, I was continually drawn to the Christian college and especially to our Baptist schools in Texas,” he said. “I believe a large part of that is due to the life-change I experienced while attending Howard Payne. My hope is for other students to be drawn into a passionate and intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. Christy and I feel very blessed to be a part of the Howard Payne family once again. We look forward to serving the students and campuses.”