BROWNWOOD – May 9, 2025 – Howard Payne University recently received a gift of $25,000 in scholarship funds from TexasBank through the James and Dorothy Doss Foundation. The contribution was provided as a part of the Doss Foundation, TexasBank Scholars – Heart of Texas Scholarship Fund, which was established to help area students attend HPU.
“We truly believe that community partnerships benefit everyone,” said Dr. Dale Meinecke, vice president for advancement at HPU. “In this case, TexasBank’s generous support for scholarships helps make the dream of receiving a college degree come true. These students will go on and make their communities better as value-centered leaders stemming from their HPU degree. We are grateful to TexasBank for being a community-builder by investing in great students.”
This year’s scholarship recipients are Wyatt Benoist, Seth Chandler, Zach Godbey, Zena Hargrove, Elsa Leake and Reece Van Hoose.
Tim Espinoza, TexasBank president of the Brown County market, expressed the significance of giving back to the community in this way.
“TexasBank is proud to stand alongside Howard Payne University as a committed community partner,” said Espinoza. “We don’t just work here, we live here, and we believe in investing where it matters most. Since 2011, the James and Dorothy Doss Scholarship has been awarded annually to deserving students across both high schools and colleges in our TexasBank communities. But this scholarship is more than just financial support, it’s a tribute to the Doss family’s enduring belief in the life-changing power of education.”
TexasBank, through its ownership and the James and Dorothy Doss Foundation, regularly invests in student success. Over 11 years, $1.3 million has been given in scholarship funds, with $300,000 specifically awarded to Howard Payne University.
To be considered for this scholarship, students must have graduated from a high school in one of the following counties: Brown, Callahan, Coleman, Comanche, Eastland, McCulloch, Mills or San Saba. Students should be juniors or seniors pursuing a degree in HPU’s School of Business and specializing in finance or accounting. More details on criteria are available from HPU’s Office of Financial Aid.
Admission applications are being accepted for the fall 2025 semester at Howard Payne University (www.hputx.edu/apply). For more information about HPU, including the wide range of available financial aid options, contact HPU’s Office of Admissions at 325-649-8020 or by e-mail at enroll@hputx.edu.
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Cutline: HPU students receiving the Doss Foundation Scholarship are pictured with representatives from HPU and TexasBank. Pictured back row, left to right, are Seth Chandler, Dr. Dale Meinecke, HPU vice president for advancement; Elsa Leake; Wyatt Benoist; and Zach Godbey. Pictured front row, left to right, are: Liz Brown, TexasBank executive vice president; Reece Van Hoose, Tim Espinoza, TexasBank president, Brown County market; Zena Hargrove, Rita Hairston; and Dr. Cory Hines, HPU president.