Spring 2020 Department of Communication News

Student News

HPU Communication students at The Alamo

During the Fall semester, COM students had internships at Wendlee Broadcasting, Heartland Church, Willie’s Tees, and HPU Athletics. The required internship provides students opportunities for practical application of concepts they are learning in the classroom.

Students enrolled in COM 3330 Sport, Media, and Culture visited The University of the Incarnate Word in October and met with HPU alum Zachary Carlton. Carlton is the Interim Associate Director of Athletics/External Affairs at the D1 university.  

HPU COM students at UIW

Students toured the facilities and learned about day-to-day communications operations for a D1 university. The students then attended a San Antonio Spurs game, where they conducted an in-depth analysis of the communications operations of game day.

HPU COM Hosts Etiquette Seminar

Students enrolled in Professor Hair’s Organizational Communication course and Dr. Welker’s Strategic Communication Strategies course attended a one-day professional etiquette seminar. Mrs. Pam Blake, owner of the Central Texas School of Etiquette, conducted the seminar. Students learned concepts ranging from mingling, conversational skills, interviewing skills, introductions, and proper use of utensils and fine dining.

HPU SSB Wins Big at Bayou City Swing Tournament

HPU’s speech & debate team, Student Speaker Bureau, won big at the Bayou City Swing tournament last weekend. Lucy Manning won Top Debate Speaker, and was 2nd place in IPDA debate. Freshman Devin Schurman was 3rd Place debate speaker, and an IPDA debate quarter finalist.

HPU COM students attend marketing seminar at Brownwood Chamber of Commerce Business Expo

Communication majors and minors attended a marketing seminar for media outlets at the BCOC Business Expo. Students learned practical tips from media professionals at KOXE, Wendlee Broadcasting, and the Brownwood Bulletin.

HPU SSB hosts Heart of Texas Speech and Debate Tournament

The Department of Communication speech and debate team, Student Speaker Bureau, hosted The Heart of Texas Tournament at HPU in September. Nine universities including UT-Austin, ACU, TCU, TSU, West Texas A&M, UMHB, and Wayland Baptist competed at the tournament.

HPU SSB students competed well at their first tournament of the year. Every student on the team earned an award:

• Parker Brown—first place, impromptu speaking
• Esmeralda Maldonado—6th place IPDA debate speaker award
• Haylee Maddox—quarterfinalist, IPDA debate
• Alek Mendoza—4th place dramatic interpretation
• Madison Neal—semifinalist, extemporaneous speaking
• Rishona Raub—semifinalist, extemporaneous speaking
• Devin Schurman—semifinalist, impromptu speaking; 6th place NPDA debate speaker award
• Alek Mendoza & Haylee Maddox—first place dramatic duo interpretation

Faculty News

Dr. Julie Welker and Professor Richelle Hair

Dr. Welker and Professor Hair attended the Texas Speech Communication Association convention in October and presented on panels.

Dr. Welker spoke about online education trends, and Professor Hair spoke about Title IX issues on college campuses.

Student Highlight

Bailey Farmer, Strategic Communication Major

Bailey Farmer, a sophomore communication major from Houston, received a grant from the National Collegiate Athletic Association to attend the NCAA Division III conference in Anaheim, California in January 2020.

The NCAA selects students all over the nation to attend this conference. The purpose of the conference is to learn how to make the division III athletics better.  Farmer has been on the Lady Jackets Golf Team for two years.

“I am excited to represent Howard Payne and the ASC division, and enjoyed learning how to improve division III athletics,” said Farmer.

Farmer will graduate in 2022 with a degree in communication. With her degree, she hopes to work in the sport media field, or she hopes to work with professional sport statistics.  Farmer is on the HPU golf team and works in HPU athletic communications.

Upcoming Events Spring 2020

• SSB competes at Texas Intercollegiate Forensics Association Spring Championships, Feb. 7-9, Texas State University

• SSB competes at National Christian College Forensics Association national tournament March 6-8 in Grove City, PA

• Department of Communication Italy and Greece Short-Term Study Abroad Trip—May 2020.  Contact Dr. Welker at jwelker@hputx.edu for all event registration and information.

Fall 2019 Department of Music News

Student News

HPU Choir members at the historic Votivkirche in Salzburg, Austria.

Members of Howard Payne University’s Concert Choir and University Singers recently performed in Austria with six other choral groups. The ensemble performed under the direction of Dr. John Dickson, director of choral studies at Louisiana State University. Dr. Dickson is familiar to HPU, having served as the featured clinician at the university’s first annual Conducting Workshop held in the spring of 2018.

Pictured: HPU alumni, faculty and staff Joy Renée Blackstock ’07; Kayla Chadwick ’19; Jessica Jones ’06; Cathryn Rasbury ’15; Danielle Rosborough ’08, database manager; Beverly Ross ’76; Natalie Stephens ’19; and Katelyn Zimmer ’19. Dr. Rosborough led the group from HPU and performed along with choir members. Also accompanying the group were six members of the HPU University Singers, Gary Butka, Angie Calfa, Ann Harris, Bill Slaymaker, Ann Slaymaker and Brent Rosborough.

Article excerpt courtesy of Howard Payne University Department of Marketing and Communications. For information about the Howard Payne University Choirs, email Dr. Christopher Rosborough.

Faculty Spotlight

Stephen Goacher, professor of music at Howard Payne University has enjoyed a busy spring semester of professional musical engagements.  In January, he joined fellow symphony musicians of the San Angelo Symphony Orchestra in a chamber music presentation at the San Angelo Cactus Hotel Ballroom for the Symphony Society Fashion Show & Fundraiser. 

Stephen Goacher, Professor of Music

In February, he joined “All Hands on Deck”, billed as America’s No.1 Patriotic Show, playing flute, clarinet and saxophone in performances in Greenville and Lubbock.  “All Hands on Deck” is based in both New York’s Broadway and Branson, Missouri. Mr. Goacher frequently serves as lead woodwind during the Touring Company’s Texas tours.  This August 23-25 he joined “All Hands on Deck” for performances in Abilene at the Paramount Theatre and Midland at the Wagner-Noel Theatre. 

March 22, Goacher returned to San Angelo where he performed jazz for the San Angelo Symphony Society in an invitation-only concert at the San Angelo Art Museum.  He joined Nashville’s top jazz duo, singer Connye Florance and her husband, pianist Kevin Madill. The ensemble formed a jazz quintet performing jazz selections from the Great American Songbook. 

March 30, Goacher performed with the Temple Jazz Orchestra at the 29^th Annual Temple Jazz Festival.  This year’s festival featured Cuban percussionist, Luis Conte.  Next, was a week of rehearsals and performances with the Abilene Opera Society in their production of “West Side Story”.  Mr. Goacher played piccolo, flute, clarinet and tenor saxophone in the April 5-6 and 7 presentations. 

On April 13, Goacher conducted the Howard Payne University Jazz Ensemble in a morning performance at the Fifth Annual Eastland Jazz Festival in Eastland TX.  Later that same day, he performed in an evening concert with the Temple Jazz Orchestra in Georgetown, TX at the Eastview Jazz Festival. 

September 7, Goacher will join Nashville-based Songwriter Cynthia Jordan for a program of jazz for the San Angelo Cultural Affairs Council at the Cactus Hotel in San Angelo. 

Goacher will be presenting a Faculty Jazz Recital November 14 in Mims Auditorium with guest Temple College faculty; Dr. Ben Irom, piano, Dr. Tarik Hassan, bass and Norman Bergeron, drums.

Faculty News

Gregory Church, professor of music assumed the role of Artistic Director for this year's HPU Homecoming production of Little Women and Joseph Dunlap ('09) will serve as the rehearsal accompanist and pianist for the performances.

Frank Nelson ('77), assistant professor of music and director of bands, recently completed professional development in both the Texas Teacher Evaluation & Support System and Field Experience Supervision.

Christopher Rosborough ('08), assistant professor of music and director of choral activities, was recently invited to serve as a clinician at the 2019 Fort Worth Small-School Choir All-State camp.The event which was held in June 2019 culminated in a performance by attendees at the Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth.  “In attendance for this clinic were 112 students from 21 high schools. They all experienced incredible growth in musicality, vocal execution and personal depth that propelled their performance into new found heights,” he said. “It was an incredible honor to be hosted by these fantastic choral programs and one of the highlights of my year.”

Elizabeth Wallace ('71), professor of music adjudicated for the National Guild of Piano Teachers at the Spring, Texas Audition Center in May 2019.  She also co-taught with Justin Eisenhour (Winthrop University) for the Creation Motion Summer Symposium held at Junaluska, North Carolina, in July 2019.

Alumni Spotlight

Scot McPhetrige graduated from HPU in the fall of 2003.  He completed a Masters of Music in Music Education from Tarleton State University in 2016.

Scot became a part of the Springtown Independent School District band program in August of 2004.  He continues to teach there, currently serving as the Assistant High School Band Director.  He has developed the Springtown Jazz program from 15 students to 60+ students with three jazz ensembles at the high school and a Middle School Jazz Band.

While a Howard Payne student, Mr. McPhetrige was a member of the jazz band, the brass quintet, the brass choir, the marching band, the symphonic band, the concert band, and the community jazz band.

Scot and Sally McPhetrige and family.

He studied trumpet with Dr. Paul DeBoer and Dr. Robert Tucker.  He also studied composition and conducting with Dr. Robert Tucker.  Mr. McPhetrige is a member of the Association of Texas Small School Bands, International Trumpet Guild, Optimist Club International, Texas Bandmasters Association, Texas Music Adjudicators Association, Texas Music Educators Association.

Scot is married to Sally, who also earned a music education degree from Howard Payne and who teaches elementary music in the Springtown ISD.  Both Scot and Sally have been awarded excellence in teaching recognition from the Springtown Independent School District.

The McPhetriges are the proud parents of two boys.  They are active in Springtown First Baptist Church.

Stephen Cox ('10) was a clinician at the 2019 Texas Bandmasters Association Convention in San Antonio.  Stephen is Director of Bands at Eastland High School in Eastland, Texas.  This past summer  Eastland finished 3rd place in the Honor band Competition and 2nd place in the OPS Concert Category.

  
George Strickland ('73) was inducted into the Texas Bandmasters Association Hall of Fame on July 27, 2019.  George (Buddy) taught for twenty-nine years.  From 2002-2018 he was the Texas UIL Assistant Director of Music Activities.   He also served as the Association of Texas Small School Bands President-Elect, President and Past-President from 1997 to 2003.   As a clinician and adjudicator, George has judged in almost every UIL Region in Texas and in New Mexico, Colorado, Oklahoma, Indiana, and Tennessee.  George and Melinda are members of First Baptist Church, Georgetown.  

Student Spotlight

Suzanne Schad is a Senior Music Education major with a dual instrument emphasis in percussion and piano.  She came to Howard Payne University after hearing one of her high school band directors, Alumnus Mr. Trent Shipp ('12), an alumni of Howard Payne, talk about his time at Howard Payne. He always praised the music department for its intensive program and intentional professors.  At first, she was skeptical of attending a small University. She favored bigger schools like Texas Tech in Lubbock or Texas State in San Marcos. However, after much encouragement from Mr. Shipp, she gave Howard Payne a chance and she says she has never regretted her decision. HPU provided her scholarships that allowed her to pursue her dreams.  

Suzanne Schad with John Dickson and HPU Alums
 Chris and Danielle Rosborough in Salzburg, Austria.

Suzanne loves teaching and performing and she says that attending Howard Payne has given her a priceless experience that she is sure would not have happened at a larger university. She has participated in University Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Symphonic Band, Winds of Triumph, Concert Choir, and Community Band. Because of this university, Suzanne says she has been able to have multiple teaching opportunities in local high schools and through the Pre-College program. She has developed meaningful relationships with professors, alumni and future professional colleagues. Suzanne is entering her final few semesters at this university and says that she cannot wait to tell her future students about Howard Payne and continue the legacy.

Music Alumni News

New Alumni

Marissa Godbey Begay ('18) is currently teaching general music K-6 at Charles Warren Fairbanks in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Paige Bowers ('19) is the assistant band director for the Flatonia ISD.

Kayla Chadwick ('19) is attending Truitt Seminary to pursue a Master of Divinity with a focus on Worship Leadership. During and after her time at seminary, she hopes to serve as a music minister.
Abraham Cooper ('19) recently commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Air Force and is currently enrolled at Truman State University in Kirksville, MO pursuing a degree in medicine.  
Camila Cotter ('19) is the choral director at Big Spring ISD junior high school. She is also the assistant director for the high school choir.
Kaeli Goodgion ('19) is working on an architect portfolio so that she can pursue a Master’s degree online while she works.
Kathryn Grice ('19) is the assistant band director at Anson ISD, working with Rob Hartman.
Natalie Stephens ('19) is teaching elementary music at Big Spring ISD.
Katelyn Zimmer ('19) is teaching elementary music at Blackshear Magnet Elementary in Odessa, TX.

Birth Announcements

August 2019

Congratulations to Allen ('14) and Mercedes ('14) Andrus on the birth of their son, Emerson Dean.

Congratulations to Juan ('15) and Kristin ('15) Hernandez on the birth of their son, Atlas James.

New Program

Center for Rural and Small School Music Education

The Music Department of Howard Payne University has established and is maintaining a Center in the heart of Texas to be a guiding force behind building and supporting quality music programs in rural small schools throughout Texas by assisting teachers and learners to engage and apprehend music through instruction provided in the small and rural school context.

The Center for Rural and Small School Music Education seeks to provide assistance, support, research, professional development, and advocacy for the students and teachers in Texas rural small school music programs.

Those who are teaching in rural small schools often lack resources available to larger enrollment schools, including those in urban and suburban settings. Additionally, student experiences, especially with music and the other fine arts are decidedly limited due to the geographical isolation of many rural and small schools. Nevertheless, the students in small, rural schools deserve the opportunity for a quality music education irrespective of where they live.

It is critically important that the needs of students in these schools be addressed as more than half of Texas school districts serve less than 1,000 students. According to the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics, Texas has more than 2,000 campuses classified as being in rural areas. When compared nationally, Texas has more schools in rural areas than any other state, with more than 20 percent of all campuses located in rural areas.

Stay up to date on all of our news and events by following the Howard Payne University School of Music and Fine Arts Facebook page.

Fall 2019 Department of Communication News

Seniors Haylee Maddox and Madi Neal
study in the newly renovated COM lobby.

Student News

The Department of Communication is busy updating our student facilities. In the spring, we updated and redesigned the lobby area of the Communication building, based on student design projects in Nonverbal Communication (COM 2350). This summer, we have continued to repaint, move offices, and are creating a new collaborative classroom for students.

During the spring, Communication students had internships at The Ark Domestic Violence Center, The Heartland Association of Realtors, The Brownwood Chamber of Commerce, Moore Printing, and the Howard Payne University Office of Marketing and Communications. The required internship provides students opportunities for practical application of concepts they are learning in the classroom. 

HPU students and faculty at the Capitol in Austin, TX.

The Communication Department took their annual spring trip to Austin, TX in April 2019. Students visited communication professionals at the capitol, Raise Your Hand Texas, and the Texas State Archives.

Faculty News

Dr. Julie Welker, chair of the department of communication, was the speech and debate contest director for several UIL tournaments in the spring, including the UIL District 1-3AAA Regional Tournament held at Abilene Christian University. Dr. Welker is leading a team-building seminar for an area school district in August, and she continues to serve as president of the Brownwood chapter of The Daughters of the Republic of Texas.

Professor Richelle Hair, instructor of communication, serves as president of the Young Leaders of Brown County and is a member of the Brown County Chamber Ambassadors. She taught Junior Achievement curriculum to 8^th graders at Brownwood Middle School in the spring. She is also the HPU cheer coach.

Dr. Welker and Professor Hair will both attend the Texas Speech Communication Association convention in October and serve on two separate panels.  Dr. Welker is leading a short-term study abroad trip to Italy and Greece in Spring 2020.

Mackynlie Conklin,
Miss Permian Basin, 2019,
Contestant for Miss Texas USA.

Student Highlight

Sophomore Mackynlie Conklin, from Midland, Texas, will be competing in the Miss Texas USA pageant in August 2019 as Miss Permian Basin. Mackynlie is an HPU cheerleader, a writer and photographer for The Yellow Jacket, and a member of Delta Chi Rho. This year, Mackynlie will also serve as a student worker in the HPU Communication Department.
“I want to encourage girls to be persistent in pursuing their dreams. I want to be a role model to women and young girls to believe in themselves in doing anything they put their mind to,” said Conklin.  Conklin said that the HPU Communication department has helped solidify her career plans and grow her communication skills.“Being a part of the COM department has helped me to develop skills to become more professional and refined.  These skills transfer over to my pageant experiences, influencing my performance.  HPU pushed me to interact more with others, and it really created a perfect place to create friends, but also to have a community to put into practice the materials that I have learned. The skills I learned in the Communication Department have helped me to gain my title and have given me the confidence in myself to communicate effectively to the wide range of members of the pageant community.”

Alumni News

Morgan Ashmore, ('17)

“I am so thankful for my time as a communication student at HPU because I acquired a wide variety of skills that I use everyday in my professional career. The curriculum that the Communication Department offers prepares students for their career by offering a diverse catalog of courses that focus on anything from social media, sports media, advertising, public relations, nonverbal communication, journalism, rhetoric, communication theory, etc. I was also a member of the Student Speaker Bureau where I had the opportunity to debate some of the top speakers in the nation. Being a member of the Student Speaker Bureau significantly increased my public speaking skills and knowledge of current events.

I currently work as the Public Relations Coordinator for Center for Life Resources. Since graduating from HPU in 2017, I have used the skills that I acquired as a communication student in many different ways. As Public Relations Coordinator, my job duties include social media management, event planning, marketing our programs, community connections, public speaking, graphic design, communicating information to the media and developing a positive image of our company to the community. Stepping in to my first professional role as public relations coordinator was a little scary, but knowing that I was well prepared by my alma mater calmed my nerves and gave me confidence that I needed to be successful. It has now been seven months since I started my position as public relations coordinator, and I absolutely love my job. I am beyond grateful that the communication department at HPU helped me prepare and achieve my goals of working in a field that I am so passionate about.”

Dr. Jonathan Davis and wife Audrey,
pictured with Dr. Julie Welker

Jonathan Davis, 2004

Rev. Jonathan Davis, pastor of Beale Memorial Baptist Church in Tappahannock, Virginia, received his Doctorate of Ministry from Hardin Simmons University in May 2019. Jonathan was a communication major and a member of Student Speaker Bureau.

Upcoming Events

• Caffeinate, Communicate, Connect - Join the COM faculty every Monday at 10 a.m. for coffee, snacks, and a short devotional in the lobby of the COM building

• Student Speaker Bureau UIL Congress Workshop - October 2, 2019

• Heart of Texas Swing Tournament - Sept. 27-29, 2019 - Collegiate speech and debate tournament, featuring parliamentary debate, IPDA debate, and AFA Individual Events tournament

• Homecoming Reception for Journalism and The Yellow Jacket Alumni - Saturday, Nov. 2, 1-3 p.m. in the Balcony, Mabee Center

• Student Speaker Bureau UIL Speech/ Debate/ Journalism Workshop - Nov. 6, 2019

• Student Speaker Bureau trip to Oxford/London - Nov. 13-20, 2019

• Italy and Greece Short-Term Study Abroad Trip - May 2020—open to all students, alumni, and friends of the university

Email Dr. Welker for all event registration and information.

Stay up to date on all of our news and events by following the HPU Department of Communication Facebook page.