BROWNWOOD – October 10, 2024 – Howard Payne University recently celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with several events on campus.
On Saturday, October 5, HPU hosted the Congreso Experience on campus for area high school and college Hispanic students. The university partnered with Texas Baptists Evangelism to provide a full-day event which included workshops, a campus tour, lunch in the dining hall, worship and a HPU football game.
“We are always excited to welcome students from the churches of our local Compañerismo,” said Jordan Villanueva, instructor of Christian Studies and assistant to the president for Hispanic relations. “We are deeply grateful for the rich history we share with Hispanic Baptist churches across Texas, and it is an honor to continue fostering these meaningful relationships.”
On Monday, October 7, HPU student organizations Amigos Unidos and Student Activities Council joined together to host a Hispanic Heritage Festival. The evening included live music, authentic Mexican food, crafts, games, live poetry readings and information about influential Hispanic leaders. Dr. Danny Brunette-López, HPU professor of Spanish and department chair, helped coordinate the event which featured several students.
“The HPU Hispanic Heritage Festival was a great success, and it continues to grow more and more every year!” said Dr. Brunette-López. “I am very proud of Amigos Unidos and their enthusiasm to educate others about the importance of Hispanic cultural awareness through food, dance, music, art and literature. They strive to preserve the Spanish language, serve as productive citizens of society, are role models for future populations of Hispanics, and appreciate what past generations have accomplished to make our present dreams become a reality. For that I am truly grateful.”
Alek Mendoza, a 2022 graduate of HPU and teacher at Brownwood High School, brought students from his Spanish I and II classes to participate in the Hispanic Heritage Festival.
“It was important for me to provide the opportunity for my students to understand more about the community here in Brownwood,” said Mendoza. “Having a fun and educational experience on a college campus like HPU is great for them. I love Howard Payne and I want them to have positive experiences here as well.”
The HPU Hispanic Alumni Fellowship also hosted a scholarship breakfast on September 28 to recognize 28 Hispanic students who received scholarships this academic year. The breakfast was held in the Doakie Day Art Center with several scholarship recipients in attendance. The first Hispanic scholarship was created at HPU in 1974.
Additionally, from October 18-20, the HPU Theatre department will present “Hispanic Tales,” a bilingual performance which features a collection of delightful folktales that celebrate Hispanic culture with humor, music, dance and colorful spectacle. Performances will be held in the HPU Theatre on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m.; and a matinee on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 for all ages and can be purchased at www.hputx.edu/homecoming.
HPU was recently awarded a $3 million Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions grant from the U.S. Department of Education to support Hispanic and under-served students at the university. As a result of this grant, many new opportunities will be made available to serve Hispanic students through the Center for Student Success including academic coaching, tutoring, peer mentors and a summer bridge program in the future.
For more information about HPU, visit www.hputx.edu.
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Cutline 1: Dr. Danny Brunette-López, HPU professor of Spanish and department chair, helped coordinate the Hispanic Heritage Festival.
Cutline 2: HPU students participate in HPU’s Hispanic Heritage Festival.
Cutline 3: HPU hosted the Congreso Experience on campus for area high school and college Hispanic students which included a panel.
Cutline 4: Participants from the Congreso Experience work together during a workshop.