Jung receives distinguished professor award, McDonald named staff member of year at Hannibal-LaGrange

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Hannibal-LaGrange University recently named the winners of the Parkway Distinguished Professor Award and the Immanuel Staff Member of the Year for the 2022-23 academic year.

This year’s Parkway Distinguished Professor Award recipient is Christy Jung, a 1997 graduate of HLGU. She had a career as a multimedia journalist at several news organizations before returning to teach at HLGU. She now serves as the chair of the communication studies department and has taught at Hannibal-LaGrange for 14 years.

In a press release, Julee Albee, vice president of academic administration and dean of the faculty said, “Mrs. Jung is a blessing to HLGU both as an instructor in the classroom and outside of the classroom. Each year, she sponsors students on trips to conferences and competitions where they perform well nationally.”

The Parkway Distinguished Professor Award, HLGU’s highest faculty award, is given annually by Parkway Baptist Church in St. Louis. This is the 33rd year for the award. Selection is based on outstanding professional and personal contributions to Christian education.

This year’s staff member of the year is Carla McDonald, a 1985 graduate of HLGU. She has worked at multiple places at the university during her 38 years of service. McDonald has served as the student account manager in the business office for 23 years.

“Karla McDonald has modeled to the HLGU community steady faithfulness for 38 years,” HLGU president Robert Matz said. “Generations of students, faculty, staff and administrators have been blessed by her service. It is because of her, and so many others like her, that God has a bright future for Hannibal-LaGrange University.”

The staff member of the year award is sponsored annually by Immanuel Baptist Church in Hannibal. Full-time staff members are nominated by their colleagues and confirmed by the executive cabinet. Criteria for nomination include exemplary performance in contractual duties, contributions to the university in time, effort and creativity, and understanding and embodiment of “Knowledge for Service.”