Seven Howard Payne University students participated in Mission Waco’s poverty simulation, an experience designed to provide a firsthand look at poverty. Mission Waco creates experiences to increase empathy for the poor. In addition to planned activities, participants slept outdoors and experienced finding meals with little or no money. The HPU group of eight was given $2.88 to buy food for all of them. A stranger gave them another $6 that allowed them to eat a little. Dan Humeniuk, assistant professor of social work and chair of HPU’s Department of Criminal Justice, Social Work and Sociology, said the experience showed “how quickly we can fall into situations that are out of our control and end up destitute or homeless.”
Preston Dyer, Baylor University 
Preston Dyerprofessor emeritus in social work, has been named one of the 30 most influential social workers alive today by Social Work Degree Guide. He served 30 years as director of the Baylor undergraduate program. His research on marriage and families was published in more than 100 academic journals.
Brent Thomason has joined the Dallas Baptist University faculty as assistant professor of biblical studies.
Anniversary
Terry Graham, 20th, as associate pastor at First Baptist Church in Woodway.
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