by Rebecca Sneed
HLGU recently received a generous donation of camera equipment from the Stallard family of Odin, IL.
The equipment belonged to Michael Stallard, an HLGU alum who received a degree in theology from HLGU in 1978. After battling a long illness, Stallard passed away in April 2015. His photography equipment was donated on his behalf by his wife, Nancy Stallard, also a 1978 alum, and his son, Michael Stallard, a 2003 alum who says his father’s love for Hannibal-LaGrange inspired him to attend as well.
“It’s a good feeling of closure, that it was something to help the school,” said Michael ’03 regarding the donation. “This school meant a lot to all of us and we wanted to do something for it, and it was important to him. So we’re trying to fulfill his wishes and it gives the family a good feeling to do that.”
The large donation of equipment contains tripods, lighting equipment, cameras, lenses, film, developing equipment, and much more. HLGU’s Art Department is grateful to have so much material that can be used in the Photography I class in which students study film and developing.
“It’s a legacy that’s going to be passed on to other students so we’re very happy to have this equipment and we’re going to make sure that in the honor of your father, that his memory will last here,” Mr. Chlebanowski, associate professor of art, said to the Stallards.
Michael Stallard ’78 taught art and digital photography at Salem Community High School in Illinois for eight years, and spent forty years in the ministry, pastoring Baptist churches. He enjoyed focusing on wildlife art.
Stallard ’78 obtained the photography equipment when he purchased a photography business.
“He had a lot of dreams and plans,” Michael ’03 laughed, “but he never got to use most of it. He just knew he had a good set of equipment and he wanted it to go to the right place.”