Howard Payne University hosted Commencement ceremonies and several additional events on May 9 and 10 to celebrate graduates from August 2024, December 2024 and May 2025.
Dr. Cory Hines, university president, and Marc Dingler ’84, chairman of the Board of Trustee, conferred degrees on graduates during two Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 10 in Mims Auditorium. HPU alumnus Tim Viertel ’80, author and retired U.S. Secret Service deputy assistant director, presented a charge to the graduates during both Commencement ceremonies.
“Go out and do something significant, something extraordinary that only you are gifted to do,” said Viertel. “Then, use the platform that God has given you to do for something lasting, something of eternal significance.”
Courtney Schisler ’98, president of the Alumni Association, also brought greetings. Christian Studies graduates Kyle Austin Griffin and Daniel Archer read scripture. Additionally, several parents of graduates prayed during the two ceremonies including Rev. Nathan Buchanan ’96, Eric Eckert, Patricia GaribayBartolo ’93 and Blanca Romero.
On Friday, May 9, Chime Out was held, a tradition dating back to 1957 on the Howard Payne campus. Graduates were accompanied by underclassmen as walking partners. As the ceremony culminated, the graduates passed a chain of ivy to the underclassmen which symbolizes the passing of authority, responsibility and privileges to those students who remain at HPU. Natalia Lopez ’06, a board member of the Alumni Association, gave greetings and Dr. Hines presented a challenge to the seniors. Alli Harvey, a senior jurisprudence and Honors Academy major, gave a charge to the juniors. Diondray Parker, a junior youth ministry and kinesiology major, accepted the responsibilities on behalf of the Junior Class. The ceremony concluded with the seniors walking through the Wilson Gate on Center Avenue, symbolizing their send off from HPU to make a Kingdom-impact in the world.
Two additional ceremonies were held on Friday, a pining ceremony for students from the School of Nursing and a ceremony for graduates from the Guy D. Newman Honors Academy.
For more information about HPU, visit www.hputx.edu.