Howard Payne University dedicated its Center for Student Success in memory of former student Bo Rozell during a special ceremony Oct. 13 in Brownwood, bringing together Rozell’s family and friends with university administrators, faculty and staff.
The dedication included a ribbon-cutting ceremony and recognized both Rozell’s influence on the people around him and the generosity that helped establish the center as a central place for academic support. The university described Rozell as a student known for his unwavering faith in Christ, joyful spirit and kindness toward others.
Rozell died in January 2026 at age 21. His connection to Howard Payne included both a difficult interruption in his education and a return to the campus community that he considered home.
Rozell’s connection to Howard Payne
Rozell enrolled at Howard Payne in fall 2023. After he received a cancer diagnosis, he had to leave campus for treatment. Following his recovery, he returned to HPU in fall 2025.
During that return, the university said Rozell found community, friendship and a home. The Center for Student Success became one of his favorite places on campus, making the facility a particularly meaningful location for the memorial dedication.
The center was created through the generosity of Rozell’s grandmother, Dr. Diann Huber, and will continue serving Howard Payne students in his memory. The dedication therefore linked Rozell’s personal experience at HPU with an ongoing resource intended to help other students remain engaged with their academic work and university community.
HPU President Dr. Cory Hines said the center was a fitting place to honor Rozell because he loved both the space and the people connected to the university.
“I hope this center, and Bo’s memory, will inspire others to live a life like Bo – truly enjoying each day, bringing a smile to everyone you come across and valuing people for the gift they are to your life,” said Hines.
Center brings academic services together
Howard Payne launched the Center for Student Success in fall 2023, bringing academic support services together in one location. The center provides tutoring, academic coaching, testing and learning accommodations for students navigating their academic journeys.
The space was intentionally designed to be welcoming and accessible, according to Dr. Wendy McNeeley, assistant vice president for student success. One notable feature is that there is no door at the entrance to the center.
“We didn’t want there to be anything that would keep a student out,” McNeeley said.
That design reflects the center’s broader purpose: providing a place where students can seek assistance without an added barrier between them and the services available. The facility’s role is not limited to one type of academic need. Its resources include direct tutoring, coaching, testing support and learning accommodations.
Use of the center has increased since it opened. McNeeley reported that 279 students used the center during its first year, while usage increased by 147% over the last three years. The university source does not identify the exact comparison period for that percentage, but it describes the trend as continued growth.
For McNeeley, the memorial designation also creates a personal reminder of the responsibility involved in serving students.
“I see that name and it challenges me to be a better person and a better staff member and a better helper,” said McNeeley.
Family connects success with love and perseverance
Rozell’s father, Dr. Zach Rozell, reflected on the significance of placing his son’s name on a center devoted to helping students grow and persevere. He said the connection was powerful because the facility is focused on supporting students as individuals.
Dr. Rozell expressed hope that the center would continue recognizing the different needs of the students who use it. He said those who enter should feel valued, seen and encouraged rather than defined only by academic challenges or expectations.
“I think success is doing the right thing,” said Dr. Rozell. “And to have this place named after my son is really powerful.”
He also tied the center’s purpose to the way he believed Bo lived. In his remarks, Dr. Rozell emphasized that compassion and love mattered more than an expectation of perfection.
“One thing that I think Bo would agree with, the way he lived his life, was that perfection was not the goal, but love was,” Dr. Rozell said.
That message is now associated with a facility where students can receive practical academic assistance while building relationships with faculty, staff and peers. Through those services and connections, Howard Payne said Rozell’s legacy of kindness, encouragement and service will continue as part of the university experience.
Howard Payne’s Brownwood role
Howard Payne University was founded in 1889 and describes itself as a Christ-centered liberal arts university in Brownwood, Texas. Its stated mission is to prepare students for lives of faith, leadership and service.
The university offers more than 100 majors, minors and pre-professional programs across six schools and serves students at three locations. HPU also identifies academic programs, student life, competitive athletics and service opportunities as parts of the university experience.
For Brownwood students seeking academic assistance, the dedicated center now carries both a practical mission and a personal memorial. Its tutoring, coaching, testing and accommodation services remain available as the university continues the work begun when the center opened in fall 2023.