Steve Nash

Steve Nash

Lighted Christmas Parade will be Dec. 5 in Brownwood

The Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce announced the 16th Annual Lighted Christmas Parade, presented by AccelHealth, will be Thursday, Dec. 5. This community event attracts thousands of residents and visitors, creating a holiday evening filled with festive lights, music, and cheer in downtown Brownwood.

Early High School theatre to present ‘Into the Woods, Jr.’

EARLY — The Early High School Longhorn Theatre Company will present its fall musical, “Into the Woods, Jr." by Stephen Sondheim the weekend of November 9-10 at the Early High School Student Activity Center. Performances will be held on Saturday, November 9 at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, November 10 at 2:30 p.m.

Photography featured in November at art center

Everyone is welcome at the First Thursday opening reception for the Annual Photography show at the Brownwood Art Center at 215 Fisk in downtown Brownwood.  This exhibit will feature captivating images, including landscapes, portraits, abstracts, and more. The reception is Thursday, Nov. 7,  from 5-7 pm.  Join us to celebrate the art of photography and the creativity of our community.

Pecan Bayou SWCD, partners announce new program

Pecan Bayou Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), in collaboration with Central Colorado SWCD, Upper Leon SWCD, and Texas Farm Bureau, announced the application window for the new Drought Resilience Incentive Program (DRIP) has opened.

HPU names coordinator of Office of Graduate Studies

Howard Payne University recently named Dr. Mary Agboola as the new coordinator of graduate studies and special projects in academic affairs. Agboola will oversee HPU’s newly created Office of Graduate Studies. This office offers a consolidated contact point for HPU’s four graduate programs.

Dr. Jill Heupel, associate vice president for academic affairs, is excited about Agboola’s new role and the impact it will have on HPU’s ability to serve graduate students.

“Establishing a unified Office of Graduate Studies under Dr. Mary Agboola’s leadership significantly enhances our graduate programs by strengthening both recruitment and retention efforts,” said Heupel. “Dr. Agboola will collaborate with the graduate academic program directors and deans to drive continuous improvement, facilitate the development of new graduate programs, streamline enrollment processes, facilitate recruitment efforts and foster a cohesive and dynamic academic experience for all graduate students.”

Previously, Agboola was an associate professor of economics at Dar Al Uloom University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where she served for nine years. She holds a Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in economics from Eastern Mediterranean University Northern Cyprus. Agboola and her husband, Dr. Philips Agboola, a professor of engineering at HPU, have two children. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and historical sightseeing.

“My goal is to work towards an increase in student enrollment and ensure that our graduate programs attract students who are seeking Christ-centered advanced knowledge,” said Agboola.

HPU offers four graduate programs: Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Education in Sport and Wellness Leadership (SWELL), Master of Arts in Theology and Ministry (MATM) and Master of Arts in Youth and Family Ministry (MAYFM). All of these programs prioritize a Christ-centered education, personalized learning, affordability, flexible learning and mentorship. The MBA and SWELL programs are fully remote, while the MATM and MAYFM programs are offered in a hybrid format.

“The Office of Graduate Studies at HPU promotes a nurturing learning environment centered on Christian values and mentorship for graduate students,” said Agboola. “Graduate Studies at HPU provide students with the necessary leadership skills to advance their careers.”

Applications are currently being accepted for all graduate programs. For more information, visit www.hputx.edu/gradstudies or contact the Office of Graduate Studies at graduatestudies@hputx.edu.