July 1, 2002

Gregory steps down as president of
Howard Payne; Hall acting president
___By Mark Wingfield
___Managing Editor
___BROWNWOOD--Rick Gregory has resigned as president of Howard Payne University, ending a five-year tenure marked both by financial challenges and campus improvements.
___Howard Payne is among the smallest of eight universities affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas. It had an enrollment of 1,519 in the academic year just ended, an operating budget of about $21 million and an endowment of $39 million.
___Gregory's resignation was accepted by the school's trustee board in a called meeting June 25, although the board did not ask for it, said trustee Chairman Gary Elliston, a Dallas attorney. The resignation is effective July 1, although Gregory reportedly had left the campus last week.
___"I think Rick Gregory's just one of the finest Christian educators out there," Elliston said. "He's going to do well wherever he goes."
___Within the last year, tension reportedly had surfaced between Gregory and the university faculty. Budget constraints led to elimination of four full-time and 15 part-time staff positions at the beginning of 2002, according to the Brownwood Bulletin.
___Faculty representatives reportedly took their concerns to the board in March, where a tentative peace was brokered.
___"Dr. Gregory had led the university to a point at which he believed it was in the best interest of the university and for him and his family to resign and there be a change of leadership," Elliston said in an interview the day after the June 25 called board meeting.
___He praised Gregory's accomplishments as president.
___"If you look at our campus today in comparison to five years ago, it has improved tremendously," Elliston said. "For a small university to have a wellness center where students can go is a tremendous advantage. We have that today, and we didn't just two years ago."
___During Gregory's tenure, Howard Payne increased enrollment, increased dormitory residency, grew the endowment from $27 million to $39 million, renovated and replaced outdated facilities and upgraded campus appearance.
___Also during Gregory's presidency, Howard Payne became the 100th member of Council for Christian Colleges & Universities, an organization of evangelical colleges and universities focusing on integrating faith in the academic disciplines.
___Elliston acknowledged Gregory had to lead the university through some challenging years financially.
___"Clearly, any small private Christian university in this particular economy is going to have financial challenges," he said. "Just like other financial institutions, we have those challenges. But I believe our brightest future is before us."
___Elliston said he has "high praise for our faculty, our student body and for the administration that has led us to this point."
___Now, it is time to look forward, he said.
___Elliston is working to appoint a 15-member presidential search committee that will include trustees, a staff member, a faculty member and one representative each from the alumni association, Douglas MacArthur Academy of Freedom and the student body. A chairman has not been named.
___Gregory could not be reached for comment. However, in a statement released through the university, he said: "It has certainly been an honor and privilege to serve this university that has meant so much to me and my family. I am pleased to have provided leadership in accomplishing the goals established for Howard Payne. The enrollment, endowment and salary increases--plus campus improvements--were all a team effort. I'm thankful for those who have seen what HPU could be and were willing to work hard to move HPU forward. I look forward to seeing what God will do with Howard Payne in the future."
___Gregory, a 1978 Howard Payne graduate, earned a master's degree from Sam Houston State University and a doctorate from the University of Houston. He previously was a vice president at Dallas Baptist University and a staff member at several Texas Baptist churches.
___Lanny Hall, chancellor at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, will serve as acting president at least through August, Elliston said. A trustee committee is working toward naming an interim president. Hall served as executive vice president and chief executive officer at Howard Payne from 1986 to 1989.
___Trustees also have received the resignation of Doug Chance as vice president for academic affairs. Chance, who also taught in the business school, will return to full-time teaching.

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