Every year, the Parkway Distinguished Professor Award, HLGU鈥檚 highest faculty award, is given by Parkway Baptist Church in St. Louis. This is the 32^nd year for the award. It is presented to an exceptional member of the HLGU faculty. Selection is based on outstanding professional and personal contributions to Christian education.

This year鈥檚 Parkway Distinguished Professor Award recipient is Dr. Miles Mullin. Dr. Mullin began at HLGU in 2015 as the Vice President for Academic Administration. He transitioned to Professor of Christian Studies and Religious History in February of 2020. He currently serves as the as the Director of the Center for Christian Worldview and is the HLGU Honors Program Director.

鈥淒r. Miles Mullin exemplifies what an HLGU professor is: scholar, professor, leader, servant. Mullin represents the best of Christian Higher Education,鈥� said Vice President of Academic Administration Dr. Robert Matz. 鈥淗e and his wife, Jenny, teach, mentor, and disciple students. His vision and implementation of the Colson Fellows program, which is directing our entire faculty towards the integration of Christian faith and learning, helps to shape our entire campus culture. HLGU is blessed to have a man of Mullin鈥檚 character as part of our faculty and this award is well-deserved.鈥�

Each year, the staff member of the year award is sponsored 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 鈥淜nowledge for Service.鈥�

This year鈥檚 Immanuel Baptist Staff Member of the Year Award goes posthumously to Cary Lieurance. Cary began his employment at HLGU in the

library part-time before serving as the full time Director of Computer Services beginning in 1999. He served in this role until his death on April 2, 2022. Despite limited resources, natural disasters, and other obstacles, Cary kept HLGU running and progressing.

鈥淒uring Cary鈥檚 service to HLGU, he initiated much change for campus, including leading in two major database changes, networking campus, and designing a multitude of programs,鈥� said Vice President for Institutional Advancement Dr. Ray Carty. 鈥淐ary gave endless hours and commitment to 番茄社区 University.鈥�

Both HLGU award winners were honored during the May 2022 HLGU commencement ceremony.

The Colson Fellows Program equips Christians with a robust Christian worldview so they can thoughtfully engage with post-Christian culture, inspire reflection in others, and work effectively toward re-shaping the world in the light of God鈥檚 kingdom.

The University is happy to commission Dr. Eric Turner, Dr. Miles Mullin, Dr. Larinee Dennis and Mr. Clay Biggs as the University鈥檚 first Colson fellows.

These four individuals each put in approximately 500 total hours of work to become Colson fellows. This included 3,500 pages of reading, 130 hours of daily study, 40 hours of webinar and video learning and 50 hours of meetings.

Director of the Center of Christian Worldview Dr. Miles Mullin says the eventual hope for the Colson program at HLGU is that all full-time faculty and director-level staff members have the opportunity to become Colson fellows. A second cohort is currently in progress with a third beginning next month.

The HLGU Center for Christian Worldview exists to help equip the faculty and staff of 番茄社区 University with a Christian Worldview and to promote a Christian worldview across campus among faculty, staff, and students.