Charter Celebration
April 17-18, 2026
Welcome back to Belton! This year’s Charter Celebration Weekend is all about reconnecting with friends, remembering cherished memories, and celebrating the incredible legacy of ÎÞÂëÁ÷³ö. Whether it’s your first visit in years or your fiftieth, we invite you to share in the fellowship, laughter, and traditions that make our ÎÞÂëÁ÷³ö family so special. From campus tours to the celebration lunch, music, and meaningful reflections, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. We can’t wait to welcome you home.
On February 1, 1845, a charter started a small Baptist institution in Independence, Texas. Today, we celebrate the rich Heritage and Tradition of the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. We invite you to join us for Charter Celebration on April 17-18, 2026. We will reflect on our past and celebrate the significant relationships formed during our days at Mary Hardin-Baylor.
We will celebrate the 50-year reunion of the Class of 1976 and reunions for Historical Phila and Royal Academia. If you would like to reserve a room for a reunion, don't hesitate to get in touch with the Alumni Engagement office at 254-295-4599.
Our Celebration Lunch will feature a special message and the recognition and induction of the Class of 1976 into the Heritage Club. The cost of the lunch will be $20 per person and is free for our friends in the Class of 1976.
Stay tuned for more information. Registration will open in February 2026. If you are interested in helping host a Class Reunion at Charter Celebration, contact the Alumni Engagement office today at alumni@umhb.edu.
Rose Morales '00
Alumni Board President
We are thrilled to welcome you back to campus for Charter Celebration! We are looking forward to connecting with you and having a lot of fun.
Rose Morales '00
Alumni Board President
Friday Early Registration & Events
Friday, April 17, 2026
LUNCH BUNCH - 11:30 a.m.
Bawcom Student Union
Join us in Resident Dining for our monthly Lunch Bunch meet-up. Alumni can receive a discounted meal using their alumni benefits card.
EARLY REGISTRATION & MUSEUM TOURS - 1:00 p.m.
Musick Alumni Center and Museum at the Parker House
Check in to receive your name badge and information for the weekend. Then, explore the museum on a self-guided tour to immerse yourself in our story. Early registration will close at 5:00 p.m.
DINNER ON YOUR OWN - 5:00 p.m.
Enjoy dinner out in one of our great Belton or Temple restaurants, or relive your campus days and eat in the dining hall. Alumni can get a discount on dinner with their alumni benefits card. Don’t have a card? Drop by the alumni center to pick one up.
LITTLE WOMEN THE MUSICAL - 7:00 p.m.
Baugh Performance Hall, Sue & Frank Mayborn Performing Arts Center
This production is based on Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel about four sisters growing up in Civil War-era New England. Little Women celebrates the dreams and resilience of young women who are determined to discover their purpose and place in the world with warmth, wit, and wisdom. Tickets are needed for this performance and are available for a discounted rate of $10 each.
Registration
Saturday, April 18, 2026 • 9:00 a.m.
Bawcom Student Union - 1st Floor
Check in to receive your name badge and information for the day. We will have a special treat for each of our Heritage Club members (graduates celebrating 50-year reunions and greater). Registration will remain open until 12:00 p.m.
Coffee with the Cru
Saturday, April 18, 2026 • 9:00 a.m.
Bawcom Student Union - 2nd Floor
Enjoy fresh coffee from Sly Fox, a local alumni-owned coffee shop, and pastries while connecting with friends and making some new ones. Be sure to say hi to our Alumni Board members, faculty, and staff. Fundraising staff will be available to answer any questions you may have about your scholarships and to share information about the latest things happening at ÎÞÂëÁ÷³ö. Refreshments will be served until 11:00 a.m.
Class Reunions
Saturday, April 18, 2026 • 9:30 am
Bawcom Student Union
We look forward to celebrating class reunions for the following groups. If you were a member of one of these classes, we invite you to join us.
- Class of 1976- Conference Room 1, 2nd Floor, Hosted by Debbie Hamm Fletcher, Lillian Kay Cowan, Melissa Duvall Jones, and Bobby Johnson
- Class of 1961- Hosted by Delia Stephens & Carolyn Owens
- Class of 1966- Hosted by Barbara Springer
- Class of 1971- Hosted by Cathy Cornelio and Vicki McKay
- Class of 1981- Hosted by Cindy Willis
- Class of 1986- Hosted by Ron Earley
If you are interested in making a donation to a class gift or project, visit the link below.
Memory Lane
Saturday, April 18, 2026 • 9:30 am
Bawcom Student Union - 2nd Floor
Stop by our Memory Lane display and relive your days at Mary Hardin-Baylor. There will be photo displays, photo opportunities, and tables for you to sit at, share stories, and reminisce.
Circle of Songs
Saturday, April 18, 2026 • 11:30 a.m.
Bawcom Student Union - 2nd Floor
Take part in the beloved tradition of Circle of Songs led by Beth Norvell ’03, Bobby Johnson ’76, and Cynthia Jackson ‘75. Together, we will sing some of our favorite songs that used to fill the Hardy Parlor before dinner at Mary Hardin-Baylor.
Celebration Lunch
Saturday, April 18, 2026 • 12:00 p.m.
Bawcom Student Union - McLane Great Hall, 3rd Floor
Our Celebration Lunch is the highlight of Charter Celebration Weekend. We will enjoy a delicious catered meal, followed by a special message from Rebeka Retta, Class of 1990, Assistant Director of Kingdom Diversity. Retta will share her story of attending ÎÞÂëÁ÷³ö, her time serving as a resident director, and her work today helping students find their belonging. We will end the time by welcoming the Class of 1976 as the newest members of the Heritage Club. Graduates from the Class of 1976 will be our honored guests, and tickets for the meal will be $20 per person. Reserved tables will be available for reunion classes.
Special Reunions
Saturday, April 18, 2026 • 1:30 p.m.
Bawcom Student Union - 2nd Floor
We look forward to celebrating special reunions for the following groups. If you were a member of one of these groups, we invite you to join us.
- Historical Phila - Conference Room 1
- Royal Academia - Conference Room 2
Bluebonnet Hour
Saturday, April 18, 2026 • 1:30 p.m.
2nd Floor Lobby, Bawcom Student Union
Spend time with friends and family flipping through old yearbooks, rediscovering familiar faces, and reliving favorite college memories.
Museum Tour & Campus Tour
Saturday, April 18, 2026 • 2:00 p.m.
Bawcom Student Union
Discover how the campus has evolved with a golf cart tour that will take you to some of your favorite locations, showcasing the growth of this university. Tours will leave from the front entrance of the Bawcom Student Union at 2:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
We can't wait to see you!
Need a place to stay?
*Preferred Hotel for the Class of 1976
5247 S General Bruce Dr
Temple, TX 76503
(254) 778-5511
Distance to ÎÞÂëÁ÷³ö: 4.4 miles
1749 Scott Blvd.
Temple, TX 76504
254-773-0200
Distance to ÎÞÂëÁ÷³ö: 8.9 miles
4301 S General Bruce Dr
Temple, TX 76502
(254) 773-8400
Distance to ÎÞÂëÁ÷³ö: 4.8 miles
7441 FM 1123
Belton, TX 76513
(254) 939-6194
Distance to ÎÞÂëÁ÷³ö: 7.5 miles
1402 SW H K Dodgen Loop
Temple, TX 76504
(254) 771-3030
Distance to ÎÞÂëÁ÷³ö: 8.5 miles
2609 S 39th Street
Temple, TX 76504
(254) 773-5500
Distance to ÎÞÂëÁ÷³ö: 7.4 miles