Howard Payne University marked Hispanic Heritage Month with a series of Brownwood events that brought students, alumni, faculty and community members together to celebrate Hispanic culture, language and contributions. The observances included a campus festival, a Hispanic Family Breakfast and a scholarship breakfast.
Festival featured music, food and cultural activities
HPU student organizations Amigos Unidos and the Student Activities Council hosted the university’s Hispanic Heritage Festival on Oct. 5 at the Ben and Bertha Mieth Outdoor Pavilion. The evening featured live music from the HPU Latin Jazz Band, Mexican food, crafts, games and other activities.
Dr. Danny Brunette-López, a Spanish professor, department chair and sponsor of Amigos Unidos, helped coordinate the event. He said the festival has expanded from a small gathering in Fambrough’s into the largest Hispanic cultural festival on the HPU campus.
“The Sixth Annual Hispanic Heritage Festival at Howard Payne University was a beautiful gathering that celebrated Hispanic culture through authentic foods and aguas frescas, inspirational Latin jazz, Hispanic-themed art and paintings, lotería, gritos and dance,” said Dr. Brunette-López.
During the festival, HPU alumnus Alek Mendoza ’22, who teaches at Brownwood High School, spoke about preserving Hispanic heritage and the Spanish language. HPU students Ariah Aguirre, a junior biology major from Brownwood, and Gabriela Jaramillo, a freshman nursing major from Edinburg, also addressed attendees.
HPU President Dr. Cory Hines appeared by video to discuss the importance of Hispanic heritage celebrations and their connection to the university’s core value of being “Focused on Community.”
Alumni and scholarships were also recognized
The HPU Hispanic Alumni Chapter hosted a Hispanic Family Breakfast on Oct. 3 as part of Homecoming. The breakfast included a student testimonial from Iza Harrison, a junior allied health major from Priddy, and a keynote address from David M. Natividad ’98, recipient of the 2026 Dr. Jose Rivas Distinguished Service Award.
A scholarship breakfast took place Sept. 19 to recognize students who received Hispanic scholarships during the academic year. The event was hosted by the HPU Hispanic Alumni Fellowship. Scholarship recipients listed by the university were Kenzie Estrada, John Field, Nathaniel Garza, Iza Harrison, Braiden Hurlbutt, Abigail Levant, Andon Mata, Jazzlyn Moreno and Isaac Pina.
“The festival holds a special significance for our university,” said Dr. Brunette-López. “We get to come together during Hispanic Heritage Month to recognize the rich contributions of influential Hispanics of the United States and beyond, celebrate our traditions and heritage, and appreciate the beauty of the Spanish language.”
Howard Payne University, founded in 1889, is a Christ-centered liberal arts university in Brownwood. The university says it offers more than 100 majors, minors and pre-professional programs through six schools at three locations, with academics, student life, athletics and service opportunities guided by five core values.