HLGU’s Arbor Day celebration recognizing long-time employee set for Friday

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Hannibal-LaGrange University will hold an Arbor Day celebration at 10 a.m. Friday, April 28, near the Carroll Science Center on HLGU’s campus.

The university will honor David Dexheimer by planting a tree and dedicating a bench on campus. A reception will follow the celebration in the Carroll Science Center lobby.

Dexheimer died on Feb. 25. He retired from Douglass Community Services in 2016 after serving as executive director for 14 years. He served for 18 years in various roles at Hannibal-LaGrange University, including director of alumni services, annual fund and development. He also served for three years in the U.S. Army, leaving with the rank of Sgt. E-5. After retirement, Dexheimer dedicated much time and effort supporting Hannibal-LaGrange University and the Institutional Advancement Office.

Dexheimer received the HLGU Distinguished Alum Award in 2021. When accepting the award, he said, “I grew up knowing about HLG. As a member of Southside Baptist Church, I got to know many of the students who attended, several of whom were at our house for lunch. As a ‘townie’, my time on campus was limited. I was putting in 60 or more hours a week at a local funeral home and trying to date Dorothy. I was happy to be selected to serve as a razzer and elected treasurer. That made me feel so much more a part of campus life. One of the highlights was a special emphasis week, during which I re-dedicated my life to the Lord. HLG has had a tremendous impact on my life for all my life.”

Planting trees on HLGU’s campus has been a longtime tradition as a Tree Campus Higher Education institution. HLGU earned the designation for the ninth year in a row in 2021. Tree Campus Higher Education is a national program created in 2008 by the Arbor Day Foundation to honor colleges and universities for effective campus forest management and to engage staff and students in conservation goals.