Howard Payne University student Rachel Myers was recently named the first recipient of the Dr. Robert G. and Mrs. Cheryl Mangrum Endowed Scholarship. The scholarship was created by the Mangrums with the intent to financially assist HPU students from Dallas or Taylor counties or who are history or music majors.

“The students have been such a blessing to us over the years,” said Cheryl Mangrum. “We started this scholarship to try to find a way to give back to the students and help them.”

Myers is a senior from Buffalo Gap, in Taylor County, majoring in cross-cultural studies.

“The fact that this scholarship exists is proof of the care and love the faculty and staff have for the students,” she said. “I came to HPU because I admired the community that is here. I’ve been welcomed into this community and have loved every second of my time here. This scholarship is such a blessing and it’s awesome that I know the people who have given it to me.”

The opportunity to help students of the institution they have served so long was highly anticipated by the Mangrums.

“We had always talked about starting a scholarship,” said Dr. Mangrum, “so when the opportunity presented itself, we did.”

Since arriving in Brownwood in 1980, the Mangrums have served in numerous capacities at HPU for more than 30 years.