The grand opening of Howard Payne University’s renovated Douglas MacArthur Academy of Freedom took place Tuesday afternoon with a tour, comments from state and local officials, and a ribbon cutting ceremony.
The Academy of Freedom was recently the focus of a major renovation project by Waldrop Construction to update the historic facility for revitalized use by HPU students, personnel and visitors. Home of the Guy D. Newman Honors Academy, the university’s multidisciplinary honors program, the Academy of Freedom features modular classrooms, updated technology and much-needed reception and office space. Honoring the ideals that serve as the foundation for the Honors Academy, the central gallery houses HPU’s historic statue of General MacArthur and a special collection of artifacts related to his distinguished military career.
Those who spoke at Tuesday’s event included HPU Board of Trustees Chairman Ronnie Andrews, Brownwood Mayor Stephen Haynes, State Rep. David Spiller, State Sen. Phil King, Hilary Stegemoller on behalf of U.S. Rep. August Pfluger, and HPU President Dr. Cory Hines, while Dr. Dale Meinecke, Vice President for Advancement, introduced the speakers.
Hines concluded the ceremony, stating, “As I stand here today I cannot help but look back and celebrate all that has taken place, while also looking forward to the days before us. You’ve heard me say it, and I will say it again, I believe wholeheartedly that HPU’s next days are her best days. I believe the world needs the kind of graduates we seek to produce and with respect to our honors academy, I feel we have the obligation to create the kind of space and program that will help us recruit and retain some of the most intellectually gifted students who also have a desire to serve their fellow man. This place, the program provides Howard Payne a leg up with our competition. This facility communicates a commitment to excellence.”
The renovated Academy of Freedom is “one piece of the $15 million of campus improvements we have made in the last four years alone,” Hines told those in attendance. “God has been so good to us.”
Haynes spoke of the partnership between the City of Brownwood and Howard Payne.
“It’s a special time to be in Brownwood, Texas and I hope you guys can feel that, and I hope you know what a special part Howard Payne is in that venture that we’re on,” Haynes said. “Over the years we’ve talked about the partnership between the City of Brownwood and Howard Payne, and sometimes it’s worked and other times it’s struggled. But over the last few years all the sudden we seem to have achieved the common goals to make a partnership work. As mayor I want you to know how proud I am of this facility. You can go anywhere in the United States of America, walk into any educational facility and you will find none that are better than this.”
Spiller said, “It’s a joy to be able to witness the end result of the outstanding work of Howard Payne’s leadership. The dedication and commitment to the university and having this level of support in your community along with the alumni, board of trustees and foundation speaks volumes. Brown County is truly blessed to have Howard Payne University and Howard Payne University is truly blessed to have the newly renovated Douglas MacArthur Academy of Freedom.
King added, “All the times I’ve been able to come to Howard Payne I always feel like I’m at home. The reason I do is because you have to understand how few institutes of higher education in Texas, and in our country, are really trying to be Christ-centered schools and cling to a Biblical-based education and a Christian world view. It’s becoming more and more rare.”
Stegemoller, who presented Hines with a United States flag that has flown over the U.S. Capitol, said, “Two weeks ago the Congressman and I received a tour of all these outstanding improvements. The standard that was set for the renovation of this facility can also be said about the standards being set for this university.”
Howard Payne is the only one of seven institutions of higher learning in Pfluger’s congressional district to be Christian-based, Stegemoller added.
