Anthony Allen | �� University

Dr. Anthony W. Allen announces resignation as HLGU President

hlgedu95 — Fri, 21 Jan 2022 22:42:21 +0000

�� University President Dr. Anthony W. Allen submitted his resignation after nine years of service.

In his resignation, he indicated his decision is a combination of needing to recover from some lingering health issues, spend more time with his family, and give the opportunity for new leadership to move HLGU to the next level of success.

Dr. Allen and his family have served HLGU faithfully these past nine years. During this time, many new facilities were constructed and many remodeled with plans for new additions in the future.

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

Dr. Allen has been instrumental in guiding HLGU to remain faithful to its Christian mission and the “.” 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 Dr. Allen’s devoted service to HLGU,” said Pastor Mark Anderson, chair of the HLGU Board of Trustees.

Dr. Allen’s resignation is effective January 31, 2022. The board has named as acting president for the coming days. The trustees have begun a search process for interim president.

2021 Booster Banquet huge success for HLGU

hlgedu95 — Tue, 23 Nov 2021 18:40:14 +0000

The 2021 �� University Booster Banquet featuring guest speaker Ken Bevel was an incredible success for the University.

Bevel is recognized by his roles as Lieutenant Michael Simmons in the 2008 inspirational movie Fireproof and for his role as Nathan Hayes in the 2011 movie Courageous.

A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Bevel served in the United States Marine Corps before retiring to serve in ministry. He’s currently the pastor of Membership and Local Missions at Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia.

Bevel’s message to HLGU on Friday night encouraged generosity through investment into the students, faculty, and staff and ��.

“I believe you can make a huge impact on the world right here at �� University,” Bevel said. “I’ve seen the spirit at work in the students at this school. I walked the campus and thought, ‘What a beautiful picture of men and women coming together for the glory of God.’”

Bevel shared his incredible testimony with the packed audience in the Mabee Sports Complex. He came from a checkered past, but when he came to know the Lord, his life was quickly turned around.

“As a young man, I became hard-hearted and rebellious. I started going into the streets, doing things that were despicable in the eyes of the Lord, and I didn’t care. At the age of 17, I knew I was going to be dead, in jail, or on drugs if I didn’t figure it out.”

In order to try and get his life together, Ken joined the Marine Corps where he continued to get in trouble and struggled to get his life together. At perhaps his lowest point, he gave his life to Christ.

“God said in that moment, ‘I have something for you to do, and I need you to go and do it.’ The Lord and his mercy gave me a second chance. That day, God rescued me.”

Bevel went on to describe his ministry through his church that would go on to produce Fireproof and Courageous. While he had no prior acting experience, Ken felt called to act in the films and the church staff felt called to cast him. Both “Fireproof” and “Courageous” went on to be huge successes.

“I started seeing the gifts and the body of Christ coming and serving together on those movie sets,” Bevel said. “and I’ve seen those similar things right here at �� University.”

“God can use you,” Bevel continued. “If you’re thinking to yourself, ‘What can I do more with my life and what am I called to?’ I encourage you to think about the gifting that God has called you to. Use the gifts that God has given you, and employ them for the glory of God. When you do that, you will have decided to surrender all and give it all to Jesus.”

Prior to Bevel’s message, the audience was treated to a performance by the HLGU Chamber Choir as well as piano music from HLGU Instructor of Music Alyssa Pyne. The night was finished by a charge from HLGU President Dr. Anthony Allen.

“Your support is needed,” Dr. Allen said. “We need you to join us now more than ever. The last two years have been difficult for higher education, especially institutions like �� University. Join us in our mission to provide a high-quality Christian higher education.”

This HLGU Booster Banquet was sponsored by HNB Bank.

The 2022 Booster Banquet is scheduled for Friday, November 18, 2022. For more information about HLGU’s annual Booster Banquet, please contact Lauren Youse, director of alumni services and development, at 573-629-3126 or via email at lauren.youse@hlg.edu.

HLGU Beats National Enrollment Trend

hlgedu95 — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 15:06:19 +0000

Despite national enrollment trends, HLGU saw an increase in freshman enrollment this year and an increase in residential students.

In a June 2021 article, Forbes reported that the latest numbers show the largest college enrollment decline in a decade, but Tad Wingo, HLGU’s vice president for enrollment management and marketing, knows what sets HLGU apart.

“We were able to improve some of our recruitment and financial aid strategies this year but I believe two things contributed to our success,” Wingo said. “First, we have an amazing admissions team. It is unbelievable the hard work and time they put into ensuring this was a successful year. Second, we have faculty and staff who love this place and are ready to pour into our students, and I think that’s evident to the students here.”

The COVID-19 pandemic played a large role in the challenge to recruit students, preventing admissions counselors and students from meeting face-to-face, but HLGU President Dr. Anthony Allen says there’s more to it than that.

“In general, there are a number of challenges facing education and recruiting students. First, there is increased competition for students that are available. Second, with a push for public education, most students can attend a community college, specifically in Missouri, for free. This places an added burden on private institutions that are seeking the same students.”

Dr. Allen and the HLGU admissions team remain positive though.

“One of the distinctives of Hannibal-Lagrange University is that it offers Christian higher education,” Allen said. “This means we take very seriously the integration of faith and learning and helping students be equipped with a biblical worldview as they prepare for their vocation. Students who receive this type of education not only are trained to serve in their vocation, but have the necessary skills and abilities to be successful in life.”

Wingo added, “Our students will be stronger in their faith when they graduate than when they moved into their dorm as a Freshman.”

Regarding recruiting strategies for the upcoming year, Wingo said his admissions counselors are ready to start traveling to “meet future Trojans in person.”

“We want to continue to develop the relationships needed to ensure that HLGU is successful. One hundred percent of undergrad students that attend HLGU receive financial aid. How awesome is that!” he exclaimed. “We have a great story to tell and we are ready to travel and tell everyone how wonderful this place truly is!”

New students arrived to campus on August 19, and the school year officially kicked off when classes started on August 23. Many faculty and staff members have noticed increased energy and liveliness among the student body this year.

“This group of freshmen is very involved and it is so encouraging seeing them walking across campus and getting to interact with them on a consistent basis,” said Stephen Crain, director of student activities. “I think the future of HLGU is bright and promising.”

�� University is a four-year Christian university fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The University prides itself in the traditional and nontraditional educational experience it offers in a distinctively Christian environment.

HLGU Virtual Booster Banquet available now

hlgedu95 — Thu, 14 Jan 2021 21:49:45 +0000

Despite being cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the �� University Booster Banquet featuring HLGU legends Dr. Larry Lewis, Dr. Paul Brown, and Dr. Woodrow Burt can be viewed virtually.

“�� University has been nurtured and supported throughout the years by dynamic Christian leadership,” Dr. Allen said. “This year’s Booster Banquet highlighted three of our past presidents. What a special time to reminisce about the faithfulness of God in our past, present, and future.”

Dr. Larry Lewis served as HLGU president from 1981-1987. He helped HLGU transition from a predominantly two-year institution to a four years. Dr. Paul Brown was president from 1987-1994 and led HLGU through the historic 1989 fire. Dr. Woodrow Burt served as president from 1995-2012. His presidency included great growth in enrollment and new buildings like the Roland Fine Arts Center and Roland Library.

“I was very disappointed that our live event had to be cancelled – but we did not want to risk the safety of our attendees, faculty, staff, and students,” said Lauren Youse, director of alumni services and development. “Our next best option was offering a virtual Booster Banquet. The video we created is actually a wonderful piece that has the advantage of being viewed and shared over and over again. I’m excited to have these great memories from our past presidents that we can archive and enjoy for years to come.”

After reaching out offer a refund to all those who had purchased tickets for the cancelled physical Booster Banquet, a vast majority of ticket holders encouraged HLGU to keep their contributions as a donation to the University.

“The generous support we receive through our alumni and friends is vital as we seek to provide Christ-centered higher education,” Dr. Allen said. “Your hearts will be warmed by the testimony of our legends.”

Next year’s Booster Banquet is currently scheduled for November 19, 2021. For more information about HLGU’s annual Booster Banquet, please contact Lauren Youse, at 573-629-3126, or via email at lauren.youse@hlg.edu.

�� University is a four-year Christian university fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The University prides itself in its traditional and nontraditional educational experience in a distinctively Christian environment.

Ticket price increasing soon for Booster Banquet featuring HLGU legends

hlgedu95 — Mon, 02 Nov 2020 21:49:17 +0000

Ticket prices will soon be increasing for �� University’s 79^th Annual Booster Banquet which will feature HLGU Legends Dr. Lewis, Dr. Brown, and Dr. Burt as the keynote speakers. The banquet will be held Friday, November 20, at 6:30 pm.

Tickets may be ordered online at hlg.edu/boosterbanquet, or by calling 573.629.3124. Tickets are $35 each through Sunday, November 8. Tickets increase to $50 on Monday, November 9. Tickets are considered a donation and are therefore nonrefundable. In the unlikely circumstance that HLGU cancels the event, ticket holders will be contacted with options for the 2021 Booster Banquet.

Dr. Larry Lewis served as HLGU president from 1981-1987. He helped the institution transition from a predominantly two-year institution to a four-year institution. Dr. Paul Brown was president from 1987-1994 and led HLGU through the 1989 fire. Dr. Woodrow Burt served as president from 1995-2012. His presidency included great growth in enrollment and new buildings like the Roland Fine Arts Center and Roland Library.

The evening will be hosted by current HLGU president Dr. Anthony Allen and will be a time of reminiscing, sharing, and looking ahead. God used these HLGU legends to further the mission and reach of ��. Join them for a very special evening celebrating the legends and the University as a whole.

Safety is very important. Therefore, social distancing measures will be in place. Hands-free temperature checks will be in place for all entering the Mabee Sports Complex. Tables will be set for groups of four to six. If tickets are purchased in groups of four or more tickets, seats will be reserved for the party. Face masks are required at all times when attendees aren’t seated and eating at their banquet table.