Lesley (Collier) Wyse, a 1972 HPU graduate, will be this year’s keynote speaker at the HPU Women’s Club’s Yellow Rose Luncheon, scheduled for Thursday, April 25. The event is sponsored by area businesses and friends of HPU and will be held in the Beadel Dining Hall of HPU’s Mabee University Center. Table sponsorships will be available for purchase on January 29.

Wyse received a bachelor’s degree from HPU and was a student in the Academy of Freedom honors program. Since her time as a student, Wyse has remained a dedicated alumna, returning to campus for events, maintaining connections with fellow classmates and serving as a member of HPU’s Board of Trustees from 2014 to 2023. She received a master’s degree from University of Houston at Clear Lake City and is currently working toward a master’s degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Wyse is a member at First Baptist Church Boerne, where she has served on the Church Council for the past three years and is an adult growth group teacher, a ladies’ Bible study teacher and facilitator, and a member of the prayer team. She retired from Fort Bend Christian Academy as superintendent in 2009 and served as interim executive director of FBC Boerne from 2019 to 2020. Wyse is married to Jodi ’71 and they have two grown children, Tami Wells and Jed Wyse, and four grandchildren.

Melinda Hines, HPU’s first lady and president of the Women’s Club, shared her excitement for this year’s event.

“Leslie Wyse is a woman of joy, warmth and wisdom,” said Hines. “Her message will be a highlight of this event that is already so near and dear to my heart. I can’t wait to hear what she has to share with us.”

Also at the luncheon, the Women’s Club will honor its 2024 Yellow Rose Award winner and the 2024 Yellow Rose Scholarship recipients.

The Yellow Rose Award is presented to a woman who is a leader to those within her sphere of influence and has assisted in fulfilling the mission and vision of HPU. The Yellow Rose Scholarship is awarded to two female students who have maintained at least a 3.0 grade point average since their freshman year, are active in campus life and exhibit the qualities of a servant leader. The two recipients of the scholarship will be announced in advance of the luncheon.

The Yellow Rose Luncheon gives women from the community and friends of HPU the chance to acknowledge the honorees and to contribute to the Yellow Rose Scholarship Endowment. Individuals interested in table sponsorships can visit www.hputx.edu/yellowrose or contact the Office of Advancement at 325-649-8007. The deadline for sponsorships is March 28; however, the popular event will have limited seating and those interested in attending are encouraged to reserve a table as early as possible.