At Homecoming 2002, I witnessed a perfect example of the HPU spirit. Paul and Paula (Ray Hildebrand and Jill Jackson Landon) were signing autographs in the foyer of Mims Auditorium after their concert. A pep rally was held in the auditorium during the autograph session. The foyer was noisy and full of commotion.

I was standing in the doorway watching both events. Otherwise, I would have missed the singing of the Alma Mater, due to the noise. Nobody else in the foyer could hear the singing.

The people in the Auditorium began singing the Alma Mater, stingers held high. When I heard, I raised my stinger and joined in the singing. When my wife observed that I was singing, she began to sing as well.

As soon as Mrs. Landon noticed what we were doing, she raised her stinger and sang. Soon, Mr. Hildebrand saw and started singing too. They dropped what they were doing to sing the Alma Mater. If they had continued doing what they had been doing, no one would have noticed. Most people probably would not even have thought less of them. The foyer was filled with alumni who did not join in. (In fairness, they probably could not hear the singing.)

Mr. Hildebrand and Mrs. Landon, by their desire to sing the Alma Mater, demonstrated the true HPU spirit.


Greg Irwin,
Class of 1999