Allen stepping down as Hannibal-LaGrange University president; Matz named acting president

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Hannibal-LaGrange University President Anthony W. Allen submitted his resignation after nine years of service. His resignation is effective Jan. 31.

In his resignation, announced Friday on the Hannibal-LaGrange website, he indicated his decision is a combination of needing to recover from lingering health issues, spending more time with his family, and giving the opportunity for new leadership to move HLGU to the next level of success.

During Allen’s time, many new facilities were constructed and many remodeled with plans for new additions in the future.

“My love for HLGU, its students, faculty, and staff has been and will always be strong,” Allen said in a press release. “I wish the university the very best and remain committed to help it succeed in any way possible.”

Allen has been instrumental in guiding HLGU to remain faithful to its Christian mission and the “Baptist Faith and Message 2000.” He also helped lead important changes to the bylaws that help insure the continued strong and faithful relationship that HLGU has with the Missouri Baptist Convention.

“We are thankful for Allen’s devoted service to HLGU,” said Pastor Mark Anderson, chair of the HLGU Board of Trustees.

The board has named Robert Matz as acting president for the coming days. The trustees have begun a search process for interim president.

A biography on HLGU’s website shows Matz is a graduate of Vanderbilt University with a bachelor of engineering in 2005. He earned a master’s of divinity with a concentration in systematic theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2009 and a doctorate in theology and apologetics from Liberty University in 2015.

Matz has pastored churches in Texas, Virginia, and Missouri. Immediately prior to coming to HLGU, Matz served for 10 years at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City and led in the revitalization of Blue Hills Baptist Church in Independence, Mo., the oldest Baptist church in the Kansas City metro area. He is a member of and regular presenter at the Evangelical Theological Society. He was appointed to and served on the Southern Baptist Convention’s special task force on evangelism in 2017-2018.

Matz has been married to his wife, Jessica, since 2006. They have three children: Andrew (12), Katie (10), and Jonathan (7).