Howard Payne University recently honored six students at the annual Servant Leadership Awards Chapel for their servant leadership on campus and in the community. 

Students honored were Vitória Biazi of São Paulo, Brazil; Kate Buchanan of Mineral Wells; Kourtney Melton of Katy; Blessing “Bill” Ngene of Madisonville; Diondray Parker of Portland; and Biak Sang of Garland.

“Jesus set the example of what servant leadership looks like by his sacrificial love and acts of kindness,” said Dr. David Lowrie, dean of the School of Christian Studies and assistant professor of Christian studies. “At Howard Payne, we seek to inspire students to live like Jesus.”

Buchanan, Melton, Ngene and Sang were each awarded the Howard Payne University Servant Leadership Award. Biazi and Parker were each presented the Dr. Nat Tracy Servant Leadership Award. Recipients of both awards are selected from nominations made by HPU personnel and students.

Established in 2007 by HPU through the generosity of the Moore Foundation and the Barney II Foundation, the HPU Servant Leadership Award recognizes exemplary junior-level students in the areas of leadership and service. A $1,000 scholarship is provided to each recipient.

Buchanan, a kinesiology major, has been a member of the HPU women’s basketball team for three years and served as team captain during the 2025-26 season. She won the ASC Sportsmanship Athlete of the Year award for both the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 seasons and represented the HPU women’s basketball team on the SAAC during the 2024-2025 season. Academically, she has been recognized on the President’s List for four semesters. Off campus, she’s involved in Coggin Avenue Baptist Church’s college ministry, Genuine, where she has served on the praise and worship team. 

Melton, a history and Guy D. Newman Honors Academy double major, has served on campus in HPU’s choir, theatre, Model United Nations, Baptist Student Ministry Lead Team, and the Hobby Hive as treasurer. While at HPU, she has been recognized as a Douglas MacArthur Scholar, a student on the President’s List, a Glenn Hopp Writer Award recipient, a Sumners Scholar and a Model United Nations Head Delegate.

Ngene, an information systems major, has played on HPU’s football team and served as team captain. He has participated in various community service projects and has been on the President’s List and Dean’s List multiple times.

Sang, a Christian education major, serves as the president for Delta Epsilon Omega, as a member of the Baptist Student Ministry team, as a member of HPU’s Heritage Band, and as a resident assistant for Taylor Hall. Additionally, he has been recognized as a Currie-Strickland Scholar and has been on both the President’s List and Dean’s List.

The Dr. Nat Tracy Servant Leadership Award, designated for senior-level students, was established in 1998 to honor the life of the late Dr. Nat Tracy, a faculty member in HPU’s School of Christian Studies from 1950 to 1975.

Biazi, a Bible major, serves on campus on the Student Advisory Council and Women to Women. Off campus, she serves at Coggin Avenue Baptist Church as a youth small group leader and leads the college ministry’s prayer group. During her time at Howard Payne, she has earned a place on the President’s List every semester, received the Who’s Who Award, an Outstanding Student Academic Award and the Currie-Strickland Scholar in Christian Ethics and Theology award.  

Parker, a kinesiology and youth ministry double major, has served on the HPU football team, as a resident assistant for Jennings Hall and as a member of Delta Epsilon Omega. He has been a recipient of the Who’s Who Award, the Outstanding Christian Studies Student Award, the Christian Studies Youth Ministry Award, the Currie-Strickland Scholar in Christian Ethics and Theology award and the Delta Epsilon Omega New Member award.

Applications are being accepted for admission to HPU for the fall 2026 semester. To apply, visit www.hputx.edu/apply.

HPU student Diondray Parker (center) recipient of the 2026 Dr. Nat Tracy Servant Leadership Award, is pictured with Dr. David Lowrie (left), dean of the School of Christian Studies and assistant professor of Christian studies, and Dr. Cory Hines (right), HPU president.