Six Howard Payne University students were honored recently for their acts of servant leadership on campus and in the local community. Awards were presented during the Servant Leadership Chapel held on Wednesday, April 14.

Two seniors were presented with the prestigious Nat Tracy Servant Leader Awards – Debbie Utterback, a social work major from Rowlett, and Jeffri Malone, a Spanish and cross-cultural studies major from Bonham. The Nat Tracy Servant Leadership Award was established in 1998 to honor students who best demonstrate servant leadership qualities as exemplified by the life of the late Dr. Nat Tracy, a member of HPU’s Bible faculty from 1950-1975.

The Howard Payne University Servant Leadership Award was presented to four junior-level students commemorating the use of their God-given talents in service to Christ and to others. Recipients include: Molly Gore, an art communication major from Coleman; Skyler Maley, a youth ministry major from Bloomfield, New Mexico; Scott Perkins, a Biblical languages and Academy major from Santa Clarita, California; and Rebekah Reed, a practical theology major from Cedar Park.

Established in 2007 by the Moore Foundation and Barney II Foundation, this award recognizes student excellence in the arenas of leadership and service. A $1,000 scholarship is provided to each recipient of the award. Each student designates $250 of his/her scholarship award to be given to his/her chosen charity.

Dr. Gary Manning, professor of religion and religious education at Wayland Baptist University, served as the keynote speaker for the awards ceremony. Dr. Manning is a 1969 graduate of HPU and a former student of the late Dr. Nat Tracy.

Photo Contributed by Kalie Lowrie.  Pictured: Back Row: (l to r) Dr. Bill Ellis, HPU president, Nat Tracy Award recipients Jeffri Malone and Debbie Utterback and Dr. Brad Johnson, vice president for enrollment and student services. Front Row: HPU Servant Leadership Award recipients Skyler Maley, Rebekah Reed, Molly Gore and Scott Perkins.