Howard Payne University will celebrate seven individuals for their accomplishments and service during Homecoming on October 10-11. The university’s Homecoming weekend, presented by Citizens National Bank, also features Family Weekend and Yellow Jacket Preview.
The honorees for 2025 are Trey Oakley, Distinguished Alumnus; Marshal McIntosh, Outstanding Young Graduate; Dr. Donnie Auvenshine, Medal of Service; Tim Whetstone, Grand Marshal; Joanne (Cunningham) Crawford, Coming Home Queen; Salome Guzman, Dr. José Rivas Distinguished Service Award; and Candy Smith, JAM Faithful Servant Award.
The honorees will be recognized at the Alumni Banquet on Friday, October 10, at 5:00 p.m., in the Beadel Dining Hall of HPU’s Mabee University Center. They will also be included in the Homecoming Parade on Saturday, October 11, at 10 a.m. and during the halftime show of the football game versus East Texas Baptist University at Gordon Wood Stadium that begins at 2:30 p.m. The parade will travel through downtown Brownwood on Center Avenue to Fisk Street via E. Depot Street and pass through the HPU campus.
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Trey Oakley ’99, Distinguished Alumnus
Trey Oakley graduated from HPU in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy. After HPU, Oakley earned a master’s degree in philanthropy and development from Saint Mary’s University and a master’s in Christian ministry from Baylor University.
Oakley is the president and CEO of Methodist Children’s Home (MCH) in Waco. He began in 1999 as the director of religious education and assistant director. Throughout his time at MCH, he has held various roles including development officer, vice president for development and director of development. In 2019, he was appointed president and CEO of MCH. He is a past president of the HPU Alumni Association and has served on numerous boards.
“HPU encouraged me to do my best in the classroom and to make sure what I learned was shared with the community,” said Oakley.
Oakley and his wife, Karen, have two children.
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Marshal McIntosh ’15 and MBA ’16, Outstanding Young Graduate
“HPU instilled in me a strong foundation in service and leadership,” said Marshal McIntosh. “The emphasis on Christian values, civic responsibility and community engagement helped prepare me to serve in public leadership and build lasting relationships.”
McIntosh graduated from HPU with a bachelor’s degree in public and media communication in 2015 and a master’s in business administration in 2016.
He was appointed city manager of Brownwood in June 2025. McIntosh began working for the City of Brownwood in 2014 as a student and has held various roles, including his previous role as deputy city manager, which he held since 2021.
He also completed the Texas Certified Public Manager Program through the William P. Hobby Center for Public Service at Texas State University and Texas Christian University’s Certified Public Communicator program from the Bob Schieffer College of Communication. He holds additional certifications for economic development through Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service and for emergency management from FEMA’s national disaster and emergency management programs involving Incident Command, Community Preparedness, and Public Information.
“I am grateful for the foundation HPU provided, which has guided my career in public service and leadership,” he said.
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Dr. Donnie Auvenshine ’75, Medal of Service
Dr. Donnie Auvenshine graduated from HPU with a bachelor’s degree in practical theology. After HPU, he received a master’s and doctorate from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Auvenshine joined the HPU faculty in 1993 as professor of Christian studies. He went on to serve as dean of the School of Christian Studies from 1994-2003 and again from 2007-2019. Auvenshine led as vice president for academic affairs from 2003-2007 and then from 2019 to June 2025 upon his retirement. He now serves as director of academic projects, accreditation liaison and adjunct faculty member in the School of Christian Studies. He received Excellence in Teaching Awards in 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2001.
In addition to his work at HPU, he was also a pastor in DeLeon, Comanche, Odessa, Iraan and has held multiple interim pastorates and provided supply preaching and Bible teaching across the state. He is a previous member of the Theological Education Council for Texas Baptists and has served numerous times on off-site, reaffirmation site and substantive change committees for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Auvenshine is married to Sande, and the couple has three children and seven grandchildren.
“The friends I made and the relationships with other ministry students at HPU have played a large role in my life and career,” he said.
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Tim Whetstone ’85, Grand Marshal
During his time at HPU, Tim Whetstone was a member of the football team, the basketball team and the track team. He graduated in 1985 with a bachelor’s degree.
Whetstone began his career at the Texas Youth Commission working with youth, and transitioned through various roles, including teaching math, science and physical education to elementary and middle school students. He also served as a community liaison in the West Dallas area and was a professional driver. Whetstone currently serves as a Harris County inspector in the engineering department, with plans of retirement soon. Whetstone was the past president of HPU’s African American Alumni chapter.
He is married to his wife Sharon, and is a father, stepfather, grandfather and great-grandfather.
“I am grateful to Howard Payne for its role in shaping my academic, spiritual and personal development,” said Whetstone.
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Joanne (Cunningham) Crawford ’65, Coming Home Queen
Joanne (Cunningham) Crawford says HPU prepared her for teaching English and physical education throughout her career.
Crawford graduated from HPU in 1965 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education. Crawford went on to earn a reading certificate from Baylor University and an all-level P.E. degree from Pan American University.
Throughout her career, Crawford was an elementary teacher in West, taught English, P.E. and was a volleyball coach in Bellmead, worked in a bilingual education program in Edinburg and served as a substitute teacher in Fort Worth.
Crawford has served in various programs in the local churches where she and her husband have attended. While living in Commerce, Crawford was involved with her church as an international host family for students at East Texas State University. In Austin, she was a part of the International Wives Program at Hyde Park Baptist Church. During her husband’s time as a faculty member at Southwestern Seminary, Crawford volunteered with the wives of the international students.
Crawford and her husband, Dan, met at HPU. They have two children, two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
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Salome Guzman, Dr. José Rivas Distinguished Service Award
During his time at HPU in the 1970s, Salome Guzman majored in religious education and studied under Dr. José Rivas. He was involved with Hispanic ministries on campus and was the pastor of Coleman Chapel. Before attending HPU, Guzman graduated from Mexican Baptist Bible Institute (now Baptist University of the Americás) in 1972.
Guzman has been a pastor for 47 years and has been the pastor of Primera Iglesia Bautista in Round Rock for the last 20 years.
He and his wife, Mary, have four children, 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
“HPU prepared me to be the minister I am today,” he said.
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Candy Smith ’71, JAM Faithful Servant Award
After graduating from HPU in 1971, Smith began working for the Baptist General Convention of Texas in a program called Student-to-Student. In this role, she partnered with Baptist Student Ministries on college campuses across Texas and coordinated summer mission teams in Texas and New York City.
Smith was the minister to youth at Shiloh Terrace Baptist Church in Dallas, and the minister of youth at Westbury Baptist Church in Houston, where she also began a single adult ministry. In 1991, she became the minister of single adults at First Baptist Richardson. Her roles at First Baptist Richardson included the pastor of ministry and the pastor of discipleship. After nearly 25 years of service, she retired in 2015. She also served as the first female president of the Baptist Religious Educators Association of Texas.
“Howard Payne became the foundation for my spiritual transformation and for a lifetime of ministry,” said Smith.
To register to attend Homecoming events on the HPU campus, visit www.hputx.edu/homecoming or call the Office of Alumni Relations at 325-649-8007.