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Brownwood Bulletin
Visitors Guide 2017
Colleges, University
Howard Payne University 1000 Fisk St. Brownwood, TX 76801 Phone: (325) 649-8020. www.hputx.edu Founded in 1889, Howard Payne University is a Christian, coeducational university offering a full array of bachelor’s-level liberal arts, pre-professional, and honors studies, as well as a graduate program in certain disciplines to its students. Located on a residential main campus in Brownwood, and at extension centers elsewhere in the state, the university is affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas. Howard Payne was ranked eighth in the Western region of the United States among schools offering a great value according to “America’s Best Colleges,” published by U.S. News & World Report. Howard Payne regularly appears in the publication’s rankings among the best values in higher education. Enrollment at HPU averages 1,400 students with a student to faculty ratio of 12:1, which guarantees a close interaction between the professors and students. The university offers students more than 50 majors, minors and pre-professional programs to choose from in the six schools — Science and Math, Business, Christian Studies, Education, Music, Fine Arts and Humanities. The student life at Howard Payne includes more than 50 student organizations including honor societies, service and social clubs, departmental groups, athletics and intramurals. Professors, staff members and many students are integral members of the Brown County community, serving on boards and in a variety of volunteer positions in churches and organizations. The university also elevates the cultural and educational experience for residents by welcoming the public to its variety of musical, theatrical and educational programs and seminars held throughout the year.
Texas State Technical College 305 Booker St., Brownwood, TX 76801 Phone: (325) 643-5987 www.tstc.edu/campuses/brownwood Texas State Technical College-West Texas is a two-year, state-funded higher education institution in Abilene, Breckenridge, Brownwood and Sweetwater offering associate’s degrees and certificates through its traditional programs as well as customized training in critical and emerging technologies from its “corporate college.” The Brownwood TSTC center opened in 1992 in a 13,000-square-foot renovated grocery store, employed five full-time staff members and had 71 students enrolled. Today, the five-building complex encompasses more than 43,000 square feet with an expansion recently completed in the facilities that are now owned by TSTC. More than 300 students are enrolled in a typical semester here, and Brownwood has been a leader in the increase in student enrollment among West Texas TSTC centers over recent years. With an increasing demand for technicians in health and science fields, TSTC West Texas has health and science programs to prepare professionals in fields such as chemical dependency counseling; emergency medical technology/paramedic; environmental science technology; health information technology and vocational nursing. In the global economy, the need for high-speed communication systems is growing constantly. TSTC West Texas offers training in computer network systems and administration; computer science technology; and digital imaging and design technology. In addition to offering associate’s degrees in a variety of fields, TSTC also works extensively through its “corporate college” with local industries, economic develop-
ment entities and workforce agencies to improve the skills of employees to keep up with technological advancements. The Brownwood center expanded into the former social service offices, and has also expanded its offerings for short-term community education courses that include computer programs, photography, bookkeeping, customer relations, professional cashier, welding for the general public and bank teller training. Offerings vary, as they are tailored to the needs of students and local employers. Visit www.tstc.edu for more information.
Ranger College 300 Early Blvd. Suite 105, Early, TX 76802
Phone: (325) 641-5726 rangercollege.edu/browncounty
Ranger College’s campus at Heartland Mall in Early represents the newest facility for post-secondary education in Brown County, although the college has offered classes here for years. The main campus is located in Ranger, in Eastland County about 65 miles northeast of Brownwood, and its website asserts that it “is one of the oldest public two-year colleges in continuous operation in the state of Texas.” In conjunction with its main campus in Ranger, the college offers adjunct classes in neighboring cities, including Early and Stephenville. Enrollment has been soaring in recent semesters throughout the Ranger system. The official service area of Ranger College, as defined by the Texas Legislature, includes part of the Ranger Independent School District located in Eastland County, excluding the area known as the “old Bullock School Land,” plus all of Brown, Comanche, Erath, Young, Palo Pinto and Stephens counties, excluding the portion of the Graham Independent School District in Young County. Visit www.rangercollege.edu for more information.