Howard Payne University will hold Commencement on Saturday, May 7 at 10:00 a.m. in the Brownwood Coliseum.

One hundred twenty-two degrees will be conferred by Dr. Bill Ellis, university president. Of the graduates, 115 will receive bachelor’s degrees, two will receive associate’s degrees and five will receive master’s degrees, including the first three students to receive the Master of Education in Instructional Leadership degree from HPU.

Rev. James Hooper, senior pastor of Richland Hills Baptist Church in Richland Hills, Texas, will deliver the charge to the graduates.

Additional program participants include: Corey Ash, director of bands and associate professor of music; Dr. Celeste Church, faculty president and assistant professor of music; Arnold Oliver, Board of Trustees member; Dr. Elizabeth Wallace, professor of music; Johanna Wilson, Alumni Association Board of Directors member; Rhea Bullock and Christopher Bell, graduates; Brad Helbert, chairman of the Board of Trustees; Dr. W. Mark Tew, provost; Lana Wagner, registrar; Dr. Donnie Auvenshine, dean of the School of Christian Studies and professor of Christian studies; Dr. Gary Gramling, director of the youth ministry graduate program and professor of Christian studies; Dr. Michael Rosato, dean of the School of Education and professor of education; Dr. Joe Robinson, director of instructional leadership graduate program and associate professor of education; and Rev. Dale Gore, Board of Trustees member.