Howard Payne University honored six students for servant leadership demonstrated on campus and in the community at the annual Servant Leadership Awards Chapel near the end of the spring semester. Students honored were Daniel Archer of Houston; Olivia Catlett of Alleyton; Nicole de la Houssaye of Cleveland; Mariah Garcia of Aubrey; Kyle Austin Griffin of Decatur; and Jacob Ruiz of Brownwood.

“It is such a joy to be a part of this process each year and to read the nominations of so many deserving students from all parts of our campus,” shared Dr. Gary Gramling, dean of the School of Christian Studies. “I am grateful to be a part of a university that encourages and values Christian service. When we look at Jesus’ life, he was continually serving others and teaching his disciples to do the same. He said, ‘For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.’ So, I am glad that we pause each year to honor some of our students who are already living exemplary lives of service.”

Catlett and Ruiz were each awarded the Dr. Nat Tracy Servant Leader Award. HPU Servant Leadership Awards were presented to Archer, de la Houssaye, Garcia and Griffin. Recipients of both awards are selected from nominations made by HPU personnel and students.

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.

Catlett, who graduated in May, majored in elementary education. She was involved with the Baptist Student Ministry (BSM), intramurals and served as a student worker in HPU’s Office of Advancement. She also worked as an intern at First Baptist Church in May and was a children’s ministry intern at First Baptist Church in Brownwood. She was named to the President’s List in recognition of academic success during all her semesters at HPU and was also a 2022 Yellow Rose Scholarship Recipient.

Also a May graduate, Ruiz majored in criminal justice. A member of Delta Epsilon Omega, Ruiz served as president of the organization for the 2022-2023 academic year. He was also a part of the BSM Lead Team and the State BSM Lead Team. Off campus, he served as a youth intern at Coggin Avenue Baptist Church (CABC) in Brownwood.

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.

Archer is a youth ministry and Guy D. Newman Honors Academy major. He has served on the BSM Lead Team, is involved in intramurals and is a member of HPU’s mock trial team. He also works as a resident assistant and is a student worker for HPU’s Office of Admissions. Off campus, he is a youth small-group leader and an intern for the college ministry at CABC.

De la Houssaye is a psychology and Guy D. Newman Honors Academy major. She is a member of HPU’s Heritage Chapel Band and the University Singers Choir and performed in the 2022 Homecoming musical, “The Sound of Music.” She has worked as a chemistry tutor and is a student worker in HPU’s Office of Advancement. Off campus, she is an active member of Rocky Creek Baptist Church in Brownwood and participates in the college ministry at CABC.

Garcia is a chemistry and Guy D. Newman Honors Academy major. She is a member of Pi Theta Chi and served as a senator for the Student Government Association. She is also on the BSM Lead Team and works in HPU’s Office of Advancement. Off campus, she helps with the youth ministry at Southside Baptist Church.

Griffin is a Bible and practical theology major. He served as the Freshman Drum organizer for fall 2021, has been a speaker at the BSM’s Campus Celebration and served as a student representative with the Student Government Association. He is also president of the Ministerial Alliance. Off campus, he is the pastor of Liberty Baptist Church in De Leon.

Applications are being accepted for admission to HPU for the fall 2023 semester. To apply, visit www.hputx.edu/apply.