Howard Payne University’s 2026 Homecoming Weekend brought alumni, families, prospective students and other guests together on the Brownwood campus, where the celebration included alumni recognitions, student traditions and a decisive Yellow Jacket football victory.
The university’s Homecoming celebration was held alongside Yellow Jacket Preview and Family Weekend. Activities included the HPU Family Picnic, a Choir Concert with Alumni, Cobbler on the Campus and other events.
“Homecoming is one of the most special times of the year at Howard Payne because it brings our HPU family together in one place,” said Lindsay Badgeley ’09, director of alumni relations. She said the weekend gave alumni and friends an opportunity to reconnect, celebrated outstanding alumni and welcomed prospective students and their families.
Campus traditions and alumni recognition
This year’s schedule also included the Youth Ministry Pioneer Ceremony, which recognized five Howard Payne alumni who helped establish the university’s youth ministry program. The honorees were Chuck Gartman ’72, Randy Johnson ’71, Dr. Chris Liebrum ’73, Wayne McAfee ’74 and Jerome Smith ’75.
The HPU Alumni Association provided prize money for the parade float competition. Delta Epsilon Omega won first place, followed by Zeta Chi in second and Delta Chi Rho in third.
Seven alumni were honored during halftime. Kaye Cummings ’74 was named Coming Home Queen; Rev. Jerry D. Griffin ’55 received the JAM Faithful Servant Award; and Gladys (Barnes) Murray ’80 received the Medal of Service.
David M. Natividad ’98 received the Dr. José Rivas Distinguished Service Award, while Phillip Scott ’07, M.D., received the Outstanding Young Graduate Award. James L. Thomas III ’75 was named Distinguished Alumnus, and James Williamson ’70 served as Grand Marshal.
Yellow Jackets win and Homecoming Court announced
The football portion of the weekend ended with Howard Payne defeating the Nelson University Lions 44-16. During halftime, the university announced its 2026 Homecoming Court.
Abigail Henderson, a biomedical science major from Junction, was named Homecoming Queen. Jacob Hill, a mathematics major from Hagerstown, Maryland, was named Homecoming King. Karly Hardy, a criminal justice major from May, was selected as Homecoming Princess, and Emmanuel Young, an allied health major from Kilgore, was named Homecoming Prince.
Other Homecoming Court nominees were Manuel Chaco, a kinesiology major from Kempner; Dariany Cottle, a theatre education major from Port Neches; Makenzie Estrada, a nursing major from Kingwood; Elsa Leake, a business administration major from Georgetown; Kourtney Melton, a history and Honors Academy major from Katy; Biak Sang, a Christian education major from Dallas; Matthew Van Gorp, a Christian education major from El Campo; and Nathan Weems, a computer information systems major from Abilene.
Businesses supported the Brownwood celebration
Howard Payne credited local and regional businesses with supporting Homecoming. Citizens National Bank was the title sponsor.
Gold-level sponsors were Bruner Auto Family, Chick-fil-A Brownwood, the City of Brownwood, the City of Early, the HPU Alumni Association, United Supermarkets, Underwood’s Bar-B-Q and Willie’s T’s. Navy-level sponsors were Dr Pepper Bottlers, Brownwood, Inc.; Painter & Johnson Financial; and P.F. & E. Oil Company. Smith & Sharpe Insurance Agency and TexasBank were white-level sponsors.
Founded in 1889, Howard Payne describes itself as a Christ-centered liberal arts university in Brownwood. The university says it offers more than 100 majors, minors and pre-professional programs across six schools and serves students at three locations.