Hannibal, MO – The HLGU Board of Trustees gathered on campus to conduct their annual fall meeting on October 13. The meeting brought the board together to discuss the business of the University as efforts continue to reach more prospective studentsand pursue financial health for the institution.
Highlights from the meeting included:
– New officers were elected and will begin January 1.to the board were voted in. Dr. Mike Atherton will take on the role of Chairman, Bobbie Crane as Vice Chairman, Gene Downing as Treasurer, and Dr. Vinita Henry as the Secretary.
– New faculty, staff, and student ambassadors were introduced to the board.
– Dr. Richard Todd was named Professor Emeritus, celebrating his many years of dedication to the University. He graduated from the Michigan State University with a PhD. in Physics in 1971 before coming to Hannibal-LaGrange in 1976. He was a professor of physics, teaching at HLGU for 42 years before retiring in 2015. Dr. Todd also began the women’s softball team.
– Dr. Virginia Wolgemuth, a recent addition to the faculty and Director of the CraigmilesSchool of Nursing, shared her vision of preparing nurses for their future careers. She spoke on the need to equip nurses for when they hit the front lines in the healthcare world. When people seek help for their health, nurses are many times the first ones they will interact with. She believes that we need transformation in healthcare, and it begins with Christian nurses.
– A goal for the Annual Fund was established to raise 1.5 million dollars. It will run from July 1, 2023 until June 30, 2024 The Institutional Advancement Department has applied for grants as well has called on a variety of individuals to give towards the fund, such as trustees, presidents, alumni, community, employees and friends of the school.
– Enrollment is up this fall from last year. Campus visits and applications have increased dramatically as well.
– President Dr. Matz shared 4 strategic initiatives as HLGU strives to continue to grow for the future.
“We had an excellent meeting,” commented Mark Anderson, Chairman of the Trustees.“In reviewing where we were 2 years ago and where we are today, it’s very exciting. As Dr. Matz described the rebuilding of the ancient wall, the wall here is half built. There’s a lot of work to do to finish at HLGU. I’m anticipating that great things are going to happen in the days to come, particularly as we are seeing our enrollment numbers for next year. We’re way ahead of the ballgame. I believe the greatest days for the University are ahead.”
Dr. Matz shared, “This was a great opportunity for our Trustees to be here and to pour into our campus life through their service, their time and their donations to the University. We’re grateful for their continued commitment to HLG and to the turn around that we’re seeing God do here.”
Hannibal-LaGrange University is a four-year Christian university fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The University prides itself in the traditional and nontraditional educational experience it offers in a distinctively Christian environment.