Brownwood News – Howard Payne University’s Commencement ceremony for May and August 2020 graduates has been rescheduled for Saturday, August 22, at 10 a.m. The ceremony will be held at Brownwood Coliseum, located at 500 E. Baker Street.
Dr. Cory Hines, president, and other university representatives will confer the undergraduate and graduate degrees. Additional program participants will be named in the days ahead.
“While I know this will be an unusual way to begin the semester, I look forward to gathering together with the HPU family for this time of celebration,” said Dr. Hines. “This wonderful event is an important milestone to recognize our graduates’ achievements.”
In March, as part of HPU’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the university announced the postponement or cancellation of all its large events. HPU’s events are being rescheduled if possible, with details for each being announced when finalized.
“Our top priority remains the safety of the HPU family and our surrounding communities,” said Dr. Hines. “We remain up to date on Governor Greg Abbott’s Executive Orders and regularly communicate with our city and county officials. At this stage, we are confident the span of time between now and the rescheduled August date will be sufficient for the well-being for our graduates and our guests, but we will continue to monitor the situation in the weeks and months ahead and make any necessary adjustments.”
The Commencement ceremony is customarily preceded the evening before by Chime Out, an HPU tradition in which graduating seniors pass a chain of ivy to underclassmen, representing the passing of authority, responsibility and privileges to students who remain on campus to carry on the traditions of the university. The rescheduled Chime Out will be held on Friday, August 21, at 6 p.m. in HPU’s Mims Auditorium.
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More information about the ceremonies, including details on how to access HPU’s live stream of the events, will be posted on HPU’s website, www.hputx.edu, as arrangements are finalized.