HLGU hands out awards to alumni during Booster Gala

HANNIBAL, Mo. — The 2022 Hannibal-LaGrange University Booster Gala earlier this month featured new HLGU president Robert Matz.

The Booster Gala, formally called the HLGU Booster Banquet, capped off a packed homecoming weekend at HLGU. Friends of the university and community members enjoyed fellowship and food in the Roland Fine Arts Center before the formal program. Attendees enjoyed live music performed by assistant professor of music and music department chair Alyssa Pyne throughout the evening.

In a press release, Lauren Youse, director of alumni services and development, said, “Our first Booster Gala was a wonderful success. It had a very festive atmosphere and great food. It is a great addition to our homecoming weekend. I was so pleased to see and visit with so many HLGU alumni and friends. It really felt like a reunion.”

Everyone later shifted into the Parker Theatre for the Booster Gala program. Guests were welcomed to the Booster Gala by Ray Carty, vice president for institutional advancement.

“While the journey to complete campus sustainability has not been finished, much has been accomplished in the last few months,” Carty said in his introduction. “We praise God for who He is and we thank Him for what He has done at Hannibal-LaGrange University through you. Many have helped us financially and by volunteering on campus.”

The Outstanding Young Alumnus Award was presented to Josh Pierce, Class of 2012. The Outstanding Service Award was presented to Jim (Class of 1976) and Linda (Class of 1979) Youse. The Distinguished Alumni Award was presented to Brett R. (Class of 1992) and Mindy (Stinson) (Class of 1990) Akright.

The audience was treated to a performance by the HLGU Chamber Choir, followed by a keynote presentation Matz, who was voted as the 18th president of Hannibal-LaGrange University on Oct. 14. Since July 2021, Matz has served HLGU as vice president of academic administration, dean of the faculty, and professor of theology and preaching.

Matz’s message to HLGU was one of encouragement to jump in and support the work that God is doing at HLGU.

“Join in where God is moving,” Matz said. “We each have an opportunity to be a part of what God is doing here at Hannibal-LaGrange University.”

Matz spoke about Hannibal-LaGrange University’s commitment to teaching in a biblical worldview.

“Be it in classes on Old and New Testament and biblical worldview, or in every other subject matter that we teach, we hold high the Bible and understand that all truth is God’s truth,” he said.

Matz shared five core values integral to the institution — Biblical Worldview, Educational Relevance, Community Mindset, Transformational Leadership and Generational Impact. He tied these core values together and unveiled HLGU’s new mission statement: “Hannibal-LaGrange University transforms lives and communities through relevant education anchored in a biblical worldview.”