Brownwood’s Dr. Nancy Jo Humfeld has been selected by the HPU Women’s Club to receive the 2026 Yellow Rose Award. Dr. Humfeld will be recognized at the club’s annual Yellow Rose Scholarship Luncheon, scheduled for Thursday, April 23, in the Beadel Dining Hall of HPU’s Mabee University Center. Table sponsorships are available for purchase.
The Yellow Rose Award is presented to an individual who is a leader with influence on others and has assisted in fulfilling the mission and vision of HPU.
Dr. Humfeld is a co-founder of the Lyric Performing Arts Company and has been its artistic director since its inception. She retired as head of the Department of Theatre and director of theatre at HPU and is professor emerita. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree in theatre from Southern Illinois University, with a specialization in musical theatre. She has a Master of Science degree in theatre from East Texas A&M University (ETAMU), a Master of Music in vocal performance from ETAMU, and a Bachelor of Music Education from ETAMU.
Her professional experience includes serving as a professor of theatre, music and communication at HPU for 34 years and as a guest adjunct professor and director of summer musical theatre at ETAMU on two different occasions. Her honors and awards include being named the Piper Professor Nominee for HPU in 2001-2002 and a Distinguished Alumni Ambassador at ETAMU. In 2011, she was named Woman of the Year by the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce. In 2012, she was named Outstanding Professor of the Year at HPU, and a Woman of Distinction by the Girl Scouts of America. She was also named the Texas Educational Theatre Association’s College/University Educator of the Year.
Dr. Humfeld’s stage experience includes the direction of over 100 plays and musicals, choreography for over 45 musicals, and leading and supporting roles in professional and non-professional theatre. Her professional credits include performances at Granbury Opera House, guest appearances in several summer stock productions and directing and performing for Dolphin Productions. Additionally, she was the local technical coordinator for the Arts Council of Brownwood and for community concerts for several years.
Dr. Humfeld is the director of music for Union Presbyterian Church in Brownwood and is a member of the worship committee. She is very active in church work and delights in planning worship and in serving others.
At the luncheon, the Women’s Club will also honor the 2026 Yellow Rose Scholarship recipients. The Yellow Rose Scholarship 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 April 1; however, the event will have limited seating and those interested in attending are encouraged to reserve a table as early as possible.