Dr. Cynthia Clawson Courtney, 1970 Howard Payne University graduate and award-winning vocalist, recently received the 2013 HPU Woman’s Club Yellow Rose Award. The honor was announced at the Yellow Rose Scholarship Luncheon held on the HPU campus.

In addition to her Grammy Award in 1981, Dr. Courtney has been honored with five Dove awards and numerous Dove nominations. Her rendition of “Softly and Tenderly” was featured in the 1985 Oscar-winning motion picture, “The Trip to Bountiful.” She is a member of the Texas Gospel Music Hall of Fame.

Dr. Courtney received a vocal performance scholarship to attend HPU where she was a member of the A Capella Choir and the Oratorio Chorus. She was also an original member of the HPU Heritage Singers. Dr. Courtney has remained a dedicated alumna, returning to the university numerous times to graciously share her gifts with the HPU family. She was chosen as HPU’s Distinguished Alumna in 1989, the Homecoming Grand Marshal in 1998 and, in 2007, she received an Honorary Doctorate from HPU, the university’s highest honor.

She and her husband, author and playwright Ragan Courtney, live in Houston. They have two adult children, Will and Lily.

The Yellow Rose Award is presented annually to a woman who exhibits exemplary leadership; who supports the university; and who represents Christian values and beliefs foundational to the university.

Pictured above:  Dr. Cynthia Clawson Courtney (center) was honored with the 2013 HPU Woman’s Club Yellow Rose Award. She is pictured with her husband, Ragan Courtney, and Dr. Diana Ellis, HPU first lady.