Howard Payne University will graduate 116 students during the spring Commencement ceremony this Saturday, May 7, at 10 a.m. at the Brownwood Coliseum.

Dr. Bill Ellis, university president, and other university representatives will confer the undergraduate and graduate degrees. Dr. Robert R. Ellis, associate dean for academics at Hardin-Simmons University’s Logsdon Seminary, will deliver the charge to the graduates.

Additional program participants include: Corey Ash ’92, associate professor of music and director of bands; Dr. Donnie Auvenshine ’75, dean of the School of Christian Studies and professor of Christian studies; Rev. Cory Brand ’98, minister of discipleship and pastoral care at First Baptist Church of Corsicana; Jane Collette ’81, president of the HPU Alumni Association; Dr. Gary Gramling ’81, director of the graduate program in youth ministry and professor of Christian studies; Dr. Millard J. Kimery Jr., interim dean of the School of Humanities and professor of English; Dr. Brad Lemler, interim dean of the School of Business and professor of accounting; Dr. Debra Powell, assistant professor of business administration; Dr. Joe Robinson, director of the instructional leadership graduate program and professor of education; Dr. Harlan Scott, faculty president and associate professor of biology; Carter Sharpe, chairman of HPU’s Board of Trustees; Dr. W. Mark Tew, provost; Dr. Daresa Voss, interim dean of the School of Education and professor of education; Lana Wagner ’97, registrar; Rev. Kelly Wolverton ’96, pastor of Hampton Road Baptist Church in Desoto; Kelsan Wolverton, candidate for graduation; and the HPU Instrumental Ensemble.

The Commencement ceremony will be preceded on Friday, May 6, by Chime Out, an HPU tradition in which graduating seniors pass a chain of ivy to underclassmen, symbolizing the passing of authority, responsibility and privileges to those students who remain on campus to carry on the traditions of the university. Chime Out begins at 6 p.m. at the university’s Mims Auditorium.