Howard Payne University will hold Commencement for August and December graduates on Saturday, December 11. Commencement will be held in the Brownwood Coliseum beginning at 10 a.m.

Ninety students will have degrees conferred upon them by Dr. Bill Ellis, president of HPU. Of the graduates, 88 will receive bachelor’s degrees, one will receive an associate’s degree and one will receive a master’s degree. Rev. Tim Skaggs, pastor of Coggin Avenue Baptist Church, will deliver the charge to the graduates.

Gary R. Price, of Brownwood, will receive the honorary Doctor of Humanities degree. The honorary doctorate is the highest honor the university can bestow upon an individual.

Additional program participants include: Rev. Randy Johnson, minister of youth at First Baptist Church of Richardson; Dr. Elizabeth Wallace, professor of music; Dr. Dan Crawford, president of the HPU Alumni Association; Jeffri Malone, December graduate with a degree in Spanish and cross-cultural studies; Brad Helbert, chairman of the Board of Trustees; Lana Wagner, registrar; Dr. Mark Tew, provost; Dr. Donnie Auvenshine, dean of the School of Christian Studies and professor of Christian Studies; Dr. Gary Gramling, director of the graduate program in youth ministry and professor of Christian Studies; Dr. James McEachern, member of the Board of Trustees; and the Howard Payne University Brass Quartet featuring Talitha Cook, senior music education major; Dr. Rodney McGlothlin, pastor of First Baptist Church in Brownwood; Dr. Robert Tucker, dean of the School of Music, Fine Arts and Extended Education; Gannon Phillips, December graduate with a degree in music education; and Jake Shelton, sophomore music education major.