Six Howard Payne University students were recently honored for their servant leadership on campus and in the community. The awards were presented during HPU’s annual Servant Leadership Program.

“When you look at the teachings and example of Jesus, serving is at the center,” said Dr. Gary Gramling, dean of the School of Christian Studies. “We are tremendously blessed at HPU to have students of such character.”

Seniors Xavier Haines of Early and Matthew Martin of Lampasas were each awarded the Dr. Nat Tracy Servant Leader Award. The HPU Servant Leadership Award were presented to juniors Salina Ali of San Antonio, Jordan Givens of Rusk, Grace Hawkins of Stephenville and McKennah Randall of Lampasas. Nominations for the awards are solicited each spring from HPU staff, faculty and students.

The Dr. Nat Tracy Servant Leader Award 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.

Xavier Haines, a May 2021 graduate, double-majored in Christian education and history, with high school certification. He was a pitcher on the Yellow Jacket baseball team and serves as a small group leader at Coggin Avenue Baptist Church. He was also involved in Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and the HPU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Haines is a two-time Academic All-Conference selection and an American Southwest Conference Distinguished Scholar-Athlete Team honoree.

Matthew Martin, a May 2021 graduate, majored in kinesiology. He has served as an FCA representative for the Yellow Jacket football team for four years and on the FCA student government. He is a two-time Academic All-Conference selection.

Established in 2007 by HPU through the generosity of the Moore Foundation and Barney II Foundation, the HPU Servant Leadership Award recognizes student excellence in the areas of leadership and service. A $1,000 scholarship is provided to each recipient of the award.

Salina Ali is majoring in athletic training. She is a member of the HPU Yellow Jackets women’s basketball team and has been named Academic All-Conference in basketball and athletic training. She has also been recognized for her on-the-court performance with All-West Division Defensive Team honors and Player of the Week honors.

Jordan Givens is majoring in strategic communication. She is a member of the HPU marching band, concert choir and Christian women’s social-service organization Delta Chi Rho. She also serves on the Yellow Jacket Student Newspaper staff and the Baptist Student Ministry lead team. She has also served as a chaplain for Delta Chi Rho and the HPU marching band.

Grace Hawkins is majoring in youth ministry. Since transferring to HPU in the fall of 2020, she has been active in the BSM and has spoken at Campus Celebration, a student-led worship service hosted by the BSM. She has also been recognized as a Currie-Strickland Scholar earlier in the 2021 spring semester and has received an invitation to join Gamma Beta Phi National Honor Society.

McKennah Randall is majoring in youth ministry. She is active in BSM, serving on the lead team, in the Senior Adult Ministry and in the Mail Ministry. She also leads a weekly community Bible study on Zoom.