Howard Payne University invites alumni, prospective students and other friends of the university to Homecoming on Friday and Saturday, October 18-19. Presented by Citizens National Bank, the event will also include Yellow Jacket Preview and Family Weekend for an exciting time on campus.

“We look forward to a wonderful HPU Homecoming weekend with events for all ages,” said Dr. Kalie Lowrie, associate vice president for communications and alumni engagement. “It is a blessing to have so many alumni, families, friends and prospective students involved in activities throughout the weekend and cheering on the Yellow Jackets!”

Registration for Homecoming events is available online at www.hputx.edu/homecoming. Some events require payment, while many are free of charge. Prospective students interested in attending Yellow Jacket Preview can register at www.hputx.edu/yjp. All Yellow Jacket Preview events are free of charge. The Stinger Pass, which is $20 per person, includes admission into a choice of breakfasts, the HPU Family Picnic and the HPU Football game (a $35 value).

During the weekend, alumni and friends are invited to participate in traditional Homecoming events. The Alumni Banquet, sponsored by the HPU Alumni Association, will be held at 5 p.m. on Friday in the Mabee University Center’s Beadel Dining Hall, where the 2024 Honorees will be recognized. Cobbler on the Campus, featuring cobbler from Underwood’s Bar-B-Q and a music performance by The Remedy, will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on the Muse Mall and Plaza. Then, the Homecoming Pep Rally, sponsored by Kohler, will be held at 9 p.m. on the Muse Mall and Plaza.

Saturday’s festivities will begin with the Alumni & Family Breakfast, sponsored by the City of Brownwood, at 8 a.m. in Beadel Dining Hall. The Homecoming Parade, sponsored by Bruner Auto Group, will begin at Brownwood Coliseum at 10 a.m., traveling through downtown Brownwood on Center Avenue and on to Fisk Street, where it will pass through the HPU campus. The HPU Family Picnic, sponsored by Wendlee Broadcasting and Promotional Products, will be held from 12 to 1:30 p.m. on Muse Mall and Plaza. The HPU Yellow Jacket football team will play the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor at 2:30 p.m. at Gordon Wood Stadium, with the Homecoming Court to be announced at halftime. The HPU Men’s and Women’s soccer teams will play East Texas Baptist University at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. respectively at Citizens National Bank Field.

Yellow Jacket Preview will give prospective students the opportunity to meet with faculty and staff, tour campus and explore joining the HPU Family as a future Yellow Jacket. Students will check in at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday at the Newbury Family Welcome Center and have a morning full of activities, including watching the Homecoming Parade and enjoying the HPU Family Picnic.  

Family Weekend will allow parents and families of current HPU students to experience a weekend at HPU. On Friday, families are invited to the HPU Student and Family Dinner, sponsored by Chick-fil-A of Brownwood, held from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Muse Mall and Plaza followed by Cobbler on the Campus. On Saturday, families are invited to watch the Homecoming Parade, enjoy the HPU Family Picnic, and then watch the HPU Yellow Jacket football and soccer games.

Performances of the “Hispanic Tales” presented by the HPU Theatre Department will be held in the HPU Theatre on Friday at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday at 7:30 p.m.; and a matinee on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. This bilingual performance features a collection of delightful folktales that celebrate Hispanic culture with humor, music, dance and colorful spectacle. Tickets are $5 for all ages and can be purchased through the Homecoming registration page.

The HPU Alumni Choir Concert will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday in Mims Auditorium, featuring an 80-voice choir and accompaniment. The Alumni Art Exhibition will be open from 12 to 4 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday in the Dorothy and Wendell Mayes Art Gallery in the Doakie Day Art Center. Children are invited to participate in Little Jackets’ Nest, sponsored by Early Texas Visitors and Events Center, on Saturday from 10:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m on the Muse Mall and Plaza.

HPU thanks the following businesses for their support of Homecoming. The title sponsor is Citizens National Bank. Gold sponsors are Bruner Auto Family; Chick-fil-A of Brownwood; City of Brownwood; City of Early; HPU Alumni Association; Kohler; Underwood’s Bar-B-Q; Wendlee Broadcasting; and Willie’s T’s. Navy sponsors are Dr Pepper Bottlers, Brownwood, Inc.; Painter & Johnson Financial; Robnett Integra Insurance Agency; and United Supermarkets. White sponsors are MCBank Early; P.F. & E. Oil Company; Smith & Sharpe Insurance Agency; and TexasBank.

Visit www.hputx.edu/homecoming for a complete schedule of events, lodging information, campus map and other details. For more information, call the Office of Alumni Relations at 325-649-8007.