BROWNWOOD – April 21, 2025 – Howard Payne University recently recognized four students at its annual Servant Leadership Awards Chapel for their servant leadership on campus and in the community. Those honored were Brylee Awbrey of Midland, Patricia Garibaybartolo of Nolanville, Luke Moss of Brownwood and Evangeline Skolaut of New Braunfels.
“Each year the challenging process of selecting recipients for the Servant Leader awards is a reminder of what excellent students we have,” said Dr. Gary Gramling, dean of the School of Christian Studies, director of the Christian studies graduate programs and professor of Christian studies. “I’m so glad we get to honor these wonderful individuals as they aspire to serve others the way Jesus did.”
Moss and Skolaut were each awarded the Howard Payne University Servant Leadership Award. Awbrey and Garibaybartolo were each presented the Dr. Nat Tracy Servant Leadership Award. Award recipients are selected from nominations made by HPU personnel and students.
Established in 2007 by HPU through the generosity of the Moore Foundation and the Barney II Foundation, the HPU Servant Leadership Award recognizes exemplary junior-level students in the areas of leadership and service. A $1,000 scholarship is provided to each recipient of the award.
Moss, a Christian education and English major, has been a member of the Student Speaker Bureau, Student Activities Council and Baptist Student Ministry Lead Team. He has also participated in Daze of Payne as a Big, been a Jacket Journey leader, and is the president of fraternity Delta Epsilon Omega. He was a Homecoming Court nominee in fall 2024. Off campus he attends First Methodist Church, Brownwood where he serves as a youth ministry intern.
Skolaut, a kinesiology all-level certification major, has been a member of the Student Advisory Council and a student worker in the Wellness Center and for the Athletic Department. She is a member of sorority Pi Theta Chi, is involved in intramurals and has served as a leader for Jacket Journey and a Daze of Payne Big. While at HPU, Skolaut has been a recipient of the Dean’s Scholarship and has made the Dean’s and President’s lists. She has also received invitations to participate in the Student Leadership Course and attend the Presidential Scholarship Luncheon.
The Dr. Nat Tracy Servant Leadership Award, designated for senior-level students, was established in 1998 to honor the life of the late Dr. Nat Tracy, a faculty member in HPU’s School of Christian Studies from 1950 to 1975.
Awbrey, a kinesiology all-level certification and Education Core major, has served as captain of HPU’s volleyball team and, as a part of the Student Activities Council, has co-led Spring Traditions. Off campus she attends Coggin Avenue Baptist Church, serving as a greeter for the college ministry. Awbrey has made the President’s List every semester while attending HPU. She has been named a recipient of the Who’s Who and Outstanding Scholar Athlete awards and received the Presidential and Mabee Foundation Scholarships. She earned an All-Conference Honorable Mention recognition as Sportsman Athlete of the Year as well as Academic All-Conference and is a member of the American Southwest Conference Distinguished Scholar Athlete Team.
Garibaybartolo is an allied health science and Guy D. Newman Honors Academy major. She has served as president of Pi Theta Chi as well as captain of HPU’s Cheer team. Garibaybartolo is a member of Health Occupations Students of America, fraternity Gamma Beta Phi, Student Activities Council and the Multicultural Task Force. She has also been a student worker for the Office of Student Experience and is a small group leader at Coggin Avenue Baptist Church. During her time at HPU, Garibaybartolo has received the Mabee Foundation Scholarship and has made the Dean’s and President’s lists. She has been named a recipient of the Who’s Who award and honored as Outstanding lower-level Chemistry student. She also earned the Outstanding Pledging New Members award for her sorority.
Applications are being accepted for admission to HPU for the fall 2025 semester. To apply, visit www.hputx.edu/apply.
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Cutline: HPU students (from left to right) Patricia Garibaybartolo, Brylee Awbrey, Evangeline Skolaut and Luke Moss are pictured with Dr. Gary Gramling, dean of the School of Christian Studies, director of the Christian studies graduate programs and professor of Christian studies.