Howard Payne University recently honored five students at the annual Servant Leadership Awards Chapel for their servant leadership on campus and in the community. Students honored were Daniel Archer of Houston; Emily Hughitt of Energy; Hannah Parnell of Idalou; Jack Shackelford of Midlothian; and Georgia Simmons of Clarksville.

“We are tremendously blessed to have such high-quality students here at Howard Payne University,” said Dr. Gary Gramling, dean of the School of Christian Studies, director of the Christian studies graduate programs and professor of Christian studies. “If you had been in our selection committee meeting, you would know that it is a very difficult task to narrow the selections down to just a few who will be honored. One of my favorite times of the year is when we have the opportunity to recognize students who seek to serve the Lord Jesus by serving others.”

Hughitt, Parnell and Simmons were each awarded the Howard Payne University Servant Leadership Award. Archer and Shackelford were each presented the Dr. Nat Tracy Servant Leadership Award. Recipients of both awards are selected from nominations made by HPU personnel and students.

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.

Hughitt, a strategic communication major, serves on campus as editor in chief of the “Yellow Jacket” student publication, as a member of the Ministerial Alliance and as a member of the national honors society Gamma Beta Phi. Off campus, she is a youth worker at First Baptist Church of Early, a worship volunteer at Eastside Baptist Church in Comanche, an intern for the Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission, an intern for The Baptist Standard, a UIL judge for writing and speech events, a volunteer at UIL journalism workshops, a co-leader of a college small group and a volunteer at Community Rehab. She has received the Outstanding Lower Division Student in Communication award.

Parnell, a psychology and Guy D. Newman Honors Academy double major with a minor in Spanish, has served on campus on the HPU volleyball team, the Model UN team as a delegate, as a Jacket Journey leader, and as the VP of Membership Development for the sorority Pi Theta Chi. Off campus, she has volunteered as a youth small group leader for Coggin Avenue Baptist Church. She has received the Scholar Athlete Award and the Spanish Award.

Simmons, a kinesiology major, serves on campus on the Student Activities Council in the executive position for first-year experience, as the director of personal relations for the sorority Delta Chi Rho, as a participant in HPU intramurals, as a Daze of Payne leader and as a student-worker in the Office of Admission. Off campus, she has served as a tutor for the Boys and Girls Club and works for the Heartland Chiropractic Clinic in Early.

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.

Archer, a youth ministry and Guy D. Newman Honors Academy double major, has served on campus on the BSM lead team, he has been involved in intramurals, HPU’s Mock Trial team, has worked for the Office of Admission as a student worker and is currently working for the Office of University Marketing and Communications. He has been a two-time Spring Sing participant and serves as a Resident Assistant. Off campus, he serves as a youth small group leader and youth intern at Coggin Avenue Baptist Church and has also served as a college ministry intern. He has received numerous awards during his time at Howard Payne including the Currie-Strickland Scholar Award, the Spirit of America Mock Trial Association Award, the 2023 and 2024 Who’s Who Awards, the Passages Israel Capstone “Submit-Your-Own” award, the Servant Leader Award, and has had the honor of being a student speaker in chapel.

Shackelford, a finance major, has served on campus on the HPU baseball team, the Student Activities Council, as a student worker in the Office of Admissions, as a member of the national honors society Gamma Beta Phi and as a member of the fraternity Delta Epsilon Omega. Off campus, he serves at Coggin Avenue Baptist Church as a college ministry intern. He has received the Who’s Who Award and Academic All-Conference recognition for baseball. He has been on the President’s List every semester for maintaining a 4.0 GPA. 

Applications are being accepted for admission to HPU for the fall 2024 semester. To apply, visit www.hputx.edu/apply.