Howard Payne University has named Dr. Chris Liebrum as vice president for external affairs. The 1973 HPU graduate will begin his new role on August 1, working with church relations, recruiting and fundraising. He recently retired as director of the Office of Cooperative Program Ministry of the Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT).

Dr. Liebrum has a long, distinguished career in Baptist life, having served with the BGCT for more than 35 years. Previous roles include director of human resources, associate to the executive director and director of church ministry resources. He also served as director of disaster recovery for Texas Baptists. From 1984 to 1999, he coordinated the student ministry programs of the BGCT, helping to develop two key projects, “See You at the Pole” and “True Love Waits.” He served as the liaison between the BGCT and the Baptist World Alliance (BWA) and as a member of the General Council of the BWA.

In addition to a bachelor’s degree from HPU in 1973, he earned a master’s degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1976. He received an honorary doctorate from HPU in 2006.

His wife, Cindy (Hughes) Liebrum, is also an HPU graduate. The couple will continue to reside in Dallas. They have been married for nearly 48 years and have two grown sons. Cory Liebrum, 1998 HPU graduate and minister to families at First Baptist Church in Rockwall, and his wife, Rachel, have two children, Owen and Ella. Clay Liebrum, a graphic artist in Dallas, and his wife, Melanie, have two children, Riley and Palmer.

“I have known Dr. Liebrum and his family for many years and can attest to his deep love for Howard Payne University and his passion for ministry and outreach,” said Dr. Cory Hines, HPU president. “His insight and experience will be great assets to our work, and I am happy to welcome him back to HPU in this new role.”