Student ambassadors, resident advisors, and the Trojan Army, along with faculty and staff, welcomed over 150 new students to campus. Move-In Day was different than previous years with a drive-in check-in process to encourage social distancing. Masks were required for all students, guests, and volunteers, and hand sanitizer was available at each move-in station.

The Trojan Army is an annual move-in tradition at HLGU and is always a tremendous blessing to new students and their parents. Their motto, 鈥渨e move so you don鈥檛 have to,鈥� fits their service well.

Will Brantley, vice president for enrollment management and marketing, said, 鈥淲e are grateful the Lord has blessed our campus with these new students and are excited to see them grow in their time at HLGU.鈥�

New Student Orientation began at 4:30 pm on the 20^th with the Walk of Honor. The Walk of Honor is a beloved tradition where new students, led by a bagpiper and the Trojan mascot, walk through crowds of faculty, staff, student leaders, and their families, through the Arch, and are greeted by University President, Dr. Anthony Allen and welcomed into the HLGU family. This walk of honor signifies the beginning of their HLGU journey. At graduation, these same students will walk out of the arch to signify the end of their HLGU journey.

Students then gathered around the Trinity Tree, located between the L.A. Foster Student Center and the Burt Administration Building, for a final word of encouragement, the alma mater, and a prayer of dedication.

The weekend was full of events for NSO to help acclimate new students to campus and featured the introduction of HLGU traditions to new students, making new friends and embracing what it means to be a Trojan. Although Move-in Day and NSO looked a little different this year with new safety procedures in place due to COVID-19, the community and Trojan spirit was alive and well.

These days marked the return of students to campus for the first time since mid-March, when the University transitioned to online learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic.聽 Since mid-March, the University has worked diligently to establish procedures and protocols to follow CDC guidelines, best practices, and public health recommendations to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Brantley said, 鈥淭his semester will be different than any experienced before, however we have prayed, planned, and prepared the best we know how and are confident the Lord will richly bless HLGU and our students this year.鈥�

The Trojan Army is an annual move-in tradition at HLGU and is always a tremendous blessing to new students and especially their parents. Their motto 鈥渨e move so you don鈥檛 have to鈥� fits their service well.

Once settled into their dorm rooms, the new students and parents had free time to explore the campus and finish up any last minute paperwork. Mid-afternoon, the new HLGU students gathered in the Mabee Sports Complex where they met with their new student orientation team leaders and played icebreaker games in an effort to meet new friends and bond with their team.

While the new students met in the Mabee Sports Complex, parents were gathered in the Roland Fine Arts Center where they heard from the administration. A Q&A session took place to answer questions parents had on their minds.

At 5:00 pm, parents, family, the Trojan Army, and resident advisors, along with faculty and staff of HLGU, lined the sidewalk from the Roland Fine Arts Center to the HLGU arch in preparation for the Walk of Honor.

A bagpiper led the new students along the path of cheering spectators, encouraging the students on their new journey.聽After each new student passed through the HLGU arch, President Allen and Stacy welcomed them again with a handshake and a smile.

Students then gathered around the Trinity Tree, located between the L.A. Foster Student Center and the Burt Administration Building, for a final word of encouragement, the alma mater, and a prayer of dedication.

On Friday, the new students spent the morning in university breakout sessions with their new classmates. A movie party was held later that evening. Students were able to spend time together in an effort to help foster new friendships. Saturday night, a 鈥淏attle of Troy鈥� dodgeball match was held.

HLGU鈥檚 New Student Orientation Saturday activities included time for the freshmen teams to participate in the 鈥淨uest for the Trojan Horse鈥� scavenger hunt. This fun activity takes place every year on Main Street so freshmen and incoming students can learn all Hannibal has to offer.

On Sunday, the students started their day by choosing an area worship service to attend. That afternoon students enjoyed visiting the HLGU Activities Fair. This special event allowed the new students to find out more about area churches, activities, and clubs they could choose to become involved with on and around campus.

On Monday, August 21, HLGU students volunteered around Hannibal in the 14^th Annual Hannibal Helping Hands, a series of community service projects.聽This year, nearly 200 students went out into the Hannibal community and performed approximately 400 hours of community service. Projects included painting, weeding, washing, organizing, and cleaning for various Hannibal businesses and churches including Hannibal Free Public Library, Graceful Beginnings Daycare, the Hannibal Museum, the Nutrition Center, area churches, and many others.

Later on Monday, an eclipse party was held. Those without proper eye protection were able to experience the event streamed live in the Parker Theatre.

Classes began on Tuesday, August 22, and on Wednesday, Dr. Allen welcomed all students back to campus and to HLGU鈥檚 annual Convocation Chapel.

鈥淲e鈥檙e grateful today for each student that鈥檚 here that has accepted the challenge to engage in the pursuit of knowledge, and we鈥檙e equally grateful for the distinguished faculty who have dedicated themselves and their lives to the pursuit of knowledge and the calling of teaching and instruction,鈥� said Dr. Allen.

鈥淎n investment in your education is an investment in your future,鈥� he told the students. 鈥淚 know some of you are making an incredible sacrifice to be here. Let me encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity that you have before you.鈥�

Dr. Miles Mullin, vice president for academic administration, led the students in reciting HLGU鈥檚 Honor Code and Mr. John Francis, assistant professor of music and worship, led the congregation in singing a hymn. Additional music was provided by Instructor of Music Ben Kendall, a new addition to the HLGU Music Department.

by Rebecca Sneed ’12