Emma graduated with her HLGU bachelor鈥檚 degree in Nursing in 2017. After graduation, she started working as a nurse at Reedsburg Area Medical Center in Reedsburg, Wisconsin. Over the past six years, she has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to her profession, community, church, and family.

During her time at Reedsburg Area Medical Center, Emma has excelled in the Wound Care department. She has earned certifications in Wound Care, Diabetic Wound Care, Sharps Debridement, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Basic Life Support, and Pediatric Advanced Life Support. Her dedication, skill, and compassion have positively impacted countless lives, earning her the admiration and respect of her colleagues and patients alike.

Recently, Emma has achieved yet another impressive milestone in her career by being named the Director of Wound Care and Infusion. She holds the distinction of being the youngest Director at Reedsburg Area Medical Center which employs over 600 people and serves over 23,000 people in Reedsburg and the surrounding area. This accomplishment speaks volumes about her leadership abilities, dedication, and the recognition she has earned from her peers in the healthcare industry.

鈥淚 love working in the small-town organization that I鈥檝e been at since I began my nursing career in 2017,鈥� says Emma. 鈥淚 work alongside so many amazing healthcare workers & have the opportunity to care for many members of our community.鈥�

Outside of her professional excellence, Emma is a loving wife to HLGU alum Palmer and mother to their two children Paisley and Maisie. Her hobbies include sewing, knitting, crocheting, and mostly chasing around her two young daughters. Emma and her family attend Trinity Baptist Church, the church she has attended most of her life. She says, 鈥淚t is so special to be able to attend the church I grew up in and watch my children get to grow up & learn about Jesus with my childhood friends鈥� children.鈥�

She embodies the values that 番茄社区 University instills in its students. Emma was a member of Praise Song while a student at HLG and continues to use her skills by being a part of the worship band at our church as well as volunteering in the church nursery.

Homecoming weekend kicked off Friday with the HLGU Annual Alumni Golf Classic. Additionally, new members of the 50-Year Club were inducted that morning. The 50-Year Club was established to honor alumni who attended 番茄社区 50 or more years ago. Members of the class of 1969 were given a campus tour and treated to a special luncheon. At this luncheon new members were honored with medallions that signified their induction.

The annual Homecoming Alumni Art Show Reception took place Friday evening. It featured a variety of artwork from individual artists who are HLGU alumni. This year the exhibit featured a variety of different media. This included digital media such as photography, advertisements, and video.

Saturday included alumni games of baseball, softball, volleyball, and men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 soccer. HLGU鈥檚 campus caterer, Fresh Ideas, sold BBQ and sides in the Alumni Tent. Later at noon, families gathered in the Loft located inside the HLGU Student center for a performance by the HLGU Theatre Department called 鈥淪tar Trip.鈥� A petting zoo was also set up that morning and afternoon and was enjoyed by an estimated 300 people.

Saturday afternoon both the men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 soccer teams faced Williams Baptist University. The men鈥檚 team tied 1-1 in double overtime, and the women鈥檚 team lost 2-0. Two senior men were honored before the game for their dedication to the soccer program. They are Renato Barroso and Gabriel Dias of Brazil. The Lady Trojan Senior Day will be held Saturday, November 2.

The anticipated Homecoming banquet took place Saturday night and treated alumni, families, and current students to a buffet feast in the Mabee Sports Complex. This was followed with festivities in the Roland Fine Arts Center, including the crowning of Homecoming King Brace Tiemann and Queen Sierra Brodhacker, and the recognition of this year鈥檚 alumni award winners. The evening wrapped up with entertainment presented by the HLGU faculty and staff with the campus鈥� version of 鈥淎re you Smarter than an Undergrad?鈥�

This year, the Distinguished Alumni Award was presented to Lea Ann Arnold DNP鈥�77. This award is presented to an HLGU graduate for significant and broad accomplishment in business or professional life, or for state or nation. Lea Ann was born in Poplar Bluff, MO and earned her associates degree at HLGU in 1977. She later earned her BSN from William Jewell, her MSN from the University Illinois Chicago, and her DNP from St. Francis University. She has worked full time in hospitals as a nurse including being a nurse on the unit, a nurse in critical care, middle management positions in oncology, neurology, emergency department, and case management before transitioning to informatics in 2009-10. Currently, Lea Ann is director of nursing informatics for Northwestern Medicine Healthcare, a system of ten hospitals in the Chicago area. She enjoys spending time with family, traveling, reading, and taking long walks. Lea Ann and her husband Craig have been married for 40 years and currently live in Naperville, IL. They are the proud parents of Andrew (wife Megan) and Alex (wife Samantha), and grandparents to Brynn. Their church home is Springbrook Community Church.

This year鈥檚 Outstanding Young Alumnus Award was presented to Dr. Brandon Keisling鈥�09. This award is presented to an HLGU graduate, who is age 35 or younger, for outstanding accomplishments in their professional, business, community, state, or nation. Keisling was born is Jefferson City and received his Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies from HLGU in 2009. Since then, he has earned a Masters of Divination in Evangelism and a PhD in Evangelism and Church Vitalization from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (SWBTS). Since then, he has served as the administrative assistant to doctoral programs at SWBTS. He also served as an instructor of evangelism and assistant professor of evangelism. Lastly, he has served as the associate pastor of young adults for First Baptist Church in O鈥橣allon, MO. Keisling is married to Alicia Keisling, another HLGU alum. They are proud parents of six-year-old Aiden, four-year-old Austin, and six-month-old Addison.

HLGU鈥檚 winter homecoming is scheduled for January 18. For more information, contact Lauren Youse at 573.629.3126, or via email at lauren.youse@hlg.edu.

番茄社区 University recognized the annual alumni award winners during the 2018 Homecoming Entertainment on Friday, October 6. The Distinguished Alumnus Award was presented to Dr. Sherri Elliott-Thomas 鈥�86. This award is presented to an HLGU graduate for significant and broad accomplishments in business or professional life, or for state or nation.

Born in Chillicothe, MO, Sherri attended Meadville R-IV High School before receiving a Bachelor of Science in Education from HLGU in 1986. She then earned a master鈥檚 degree from Truman University, an education specialist degree from Union University, and an educational doctorate degree from William Woods University.

Sherri served as a middle school teacher in Hannibal, Wentzville, and in Jackson, TN. She then served as an assistant principal at Rolla Middle School, and as principal at Lewis and Clark Middle School in Jefferson City. Sherri has also served as an adjunct professor at HLGU, Missouri Baptist University, Columbia College, and William Woods University. Currently she is working as a school improvement consultant for University of Missouri.

Sherri has received multiple awards and honors including being a Zonta Women of Achievement Honoree for Jefferson City, Principal at Lewis and Clark Middle School when the school was recognized in Washington, D.C. for six National Promising Practice Awards, Middle School Principal of the year for the Central Region of Missouri Association of Secondary Principals, Assistant Principal of the Year and Consummate Professional from South Central Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals, and multiple Who鈥檚 Who awards and Golden Apple Award Nominations. She is a member of organizations such as Missouri Baptist Disaster Relief, National Association of Secondary Principals, Phi Delta Kappa, Missouri Middle School Association, Community Teachers Association, Zonta and Cole County Historical Society. Dr. Thomas is dedicated to Diversity and Inclusion, and is a certified trainer through Dr. Ruby Payne, aha! Process.

Sherri and her husband Kent live in Jefferson City and attend Concord Baptist Church. They have been married for 34 years and are proud parents of Caleb, Seth, and daughter in-law, Lindsey. Sherri is the daughter of Patricia and the late Robert Elliott of Meadville, MO.

Brad Dempsey

The Outstanding Young Alumnus Award was presented to Brad Dempsey 鈥�05. This award is given to a 番茄社区 graduate, who is age 35 or younger, for outstanding accomplishments in their profession, business, community, state, or nation.

Born in Hannibal, Dempsey received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from HLGU in 2005.

Following graduation, Dempsey earned a Masters of Education in Athletic Administration in 2009. He currently serves as assistant principal and assistant varsity girls soccer coach at St. Dominic High School in O鈥橣allon, MO. He has also served as a teacher and coach at Palmyra Middle School and Monroe City Middle and High Schools, as PE teacher and athletic director at St. Joseph Cathedral in Jefferson City, and as athletic and activities director and head girls soccer coach at Helias Catholic High School.

“My experience at 番茄社区 University played an important role in my relationship with the Lord,” he said. “I’m very thankful for the opportunity to be a student and to those who had an impact during my time at HLGU.”

Dempsey is a member of Knights of Columbus, St. Louis Soccer Officials, Missouri Soccer Coaches, and Legends Soccer Club, and is passionate about family, faith, and friends.

Dempsey and his wife Gala have two daughters, nine-year-old聽Alice, and聽seven-year-old聽Aubrie,聽and one son, three-year-old聽Quinn. He and his family attend Immaculate Conception Church of Dardenne Prarie.

Mark Martin

The Outstanding Service Award was presented to Mark Martin ’67.聽This award is given to 番茄社区 graduates who have given outstanding service to the University or their community through involvement in civic endeavors, religious leadership, or philanthropic efforts.

Martin is from Traer, IA,聽but recently moved to an apartment on the HLGU campus so he can volunteer his time as an assistant coach for the HLGU Wrestling team.

鈥淢ark Martin has volunteered countless hours to our university and specifically the wrestling program,鈥� said Scott Hawes, wrestling coach. 鈥淗e is an enthusiastic supporter of HLGU. He has brought excitement and professionalism to our wrestling program. Mark Martin鈥檚 volunteer servant leadership is a tremendous blessing to our program.鈥�

鈥婩ollowing his graduation from HLGU with an associate聽degree, Martin went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree from Southwest Baptist University in 1969. He then spent 45 years working in retail management.

Martin is married to his wife Marcia, and is passionate about young people and helping people be successful.

by Rebecca Sneed ’12