Dr. Mitzi Lehrer, retired Howard Payne University faculty member, has been named the HPU Women’s Club’s 2023 Yellow Rose Award recipient. The recognition will be given at the club’s annual Yellow Rose Scholarship Luncheon, scheduled for Thursday, April 20. The event is sponsored by area businesses and friends of HPU and will be held in the Beadel Dining Hall of HPU’s Mabee University Center. Table sponsorships will be available for purchase on January 13.

A Brownwood native, Dr. Lehrer has been connected with Howard Payne for the majority of her life. Her uncle, Dr. Guy D. Newman, served as HPU president from 1955-1972. During those days, she remembers many visits to HPU and connecting with students, faculty, staff and “Uncle Guy.” Dr. Lehrer earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Baylor University, a Master of Science degree from Abilene Christian University and a Doctor of Education degree from Baylor University. She enjoyed a lifelong career in education, teaching in elementary schools in Brownwood, Abilene, Sweetwater, Rule and Fort Stockton. In 1996, she became a faculty member in HPU’s School of Education and taught elementary education courses for the next 20 years. She hosted students in her home, helped place student teachers across the region and loved taking students on study-abroad trips to London, England.

Following her retirement, Dr. Lehrer served at HPU as alumni relations assistant until 2022. In addition to her time as faculty and staff member, she has been an avid supporter of the HPU Women’s Club and HPU athletics, particularly women’s basketball. One of her favorite memories is watching the Lady Jackets win the NCAA Division III National Championship in Michigan in 2008. Dr. Lehrer is an active member of Coggin Avenue Baptist Church. She was married to the late Wayne Lehrer and has two children, Robert and Mary, and two grandchildren, Jake and Josh.

Melinda Hines, HPU’s first lady and president of the Women’s Club, shared how Dr. Lehrer represents the values of HPU.

“Dr. Mitzi Lehrer is such a special woman of God,” said Hines. “She has always been so generous with her time, pours into others and brings joy to all she encounters. I’m so looking forward to honoring her in this way.”

This year’s featured speaker at the Yellow Rose Luncheon will be Brandi (Maguire) Parrish ’96. She and her husband, Kelly ’97, live in Kilgore and recently launched Pursuit Church, where she leads the student ministry. They have four children: Zachary, Noah, Joshua and AnnaFaith.

The Yellow Rose Award is presented to a woman who is a leader to those within her sphere of influence and has assisted in fulfilling the mission and vision of HPU. The Yellow Rose Scholarship is awarded to a female sophomore who has maintained at least a 3.0 grade point average since her freshman year, is active in campus life and exhibits the qualities of a servant leader. The two recipients of the scholarship will be announced in advance of the luncheon.

The Yellow Rose Luncheon gives women from the community and friends of HPU the chance to acknowledge the honorees and to contribute to the Yellow Rose Scholarship Endowment. Individuals interested in table sponsorships can visit www.hputx.edu/yellowrose or contact the Office of University Advancement at 325-649-8007. The deadline for sponsorships is March 10; however, the popular event will have limited seating and those interested in attending are encouraged to reserve a table as early as possible.