The Day of Giving will run for the 24-hour period between noon on April 20 and noon on April 21, 2023. HLGU has set a goal of 250 new gifts to the University in this 24-hour timeframe.

鈥淵our gift, combined with those of hundreds of other HLGU Day of Giving donors, will not only help to make scholarships or projects become realities but also have a direct impact on the lives of current and future students,鈥� said Director of Development and Alumni Services Lauren Youse. 鈥淏y joining together with the greater HLGU family during this special event, you鈥檙e demonstrating your commitment to the University and the Christian community that sets us apart.鈥�

More information will be released via HLGU鈥檚 social media pages on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram in the coming months. Those who want to spread the word about HLGU鈥檚 Day of Giving can do so by using #HLGUDayOfGiving in their social media posts.

Gifts received as a part of the Day of Giving may be designated toward HLGU student scholarships, Friends of the Arts, HLGU鈥檚 fine arts giving club, or any other HLGU department or program.

During last year鈥檚 Day of Giving, 345 gifts were given raising $227,815.

鈥淚 am thankful for the way that God worked in people鈥檚 lives in supporting our Day of Giving,鈥� said Vice President for Institutional Advancement Dr. Ray Carty. 鈥淭he number of individual donors significantly surpassed our goal. The amount of financial support that was expressed was amazing and encouraging. We are thankful.鈥�

Any questions regarding HLGU鈥檚 Day of Giving can be directed to Lauren Youse at 573.629.3126.

Learn more about the Day of Giving by clicking here.

Over 200 items were donated to the auction by the community, HLGU employees and alumni. An impressive food spread was prepared and donated by the HLGU Board of Trustees, HLGU faculty, and staff.

As a result of generosity from friends and bidders, the Scarlet and Blue Auction raised $26,384.15 in total profit. This number exceeded the matching George H. Riedel Foundation grant of $25,000 for a grand total of $51,384.15 toward HLGU鈥檚 current financial challenge to help the University pay off or avoid any additional debt.

鈥淥ne of the sweetest things that happened at the auction was watching the fellowship among our attendees,鈥� said Director of Alumni Services and Development Lauren Youse. 鈥淭here were so many fun conversations happening 鈥� it really felt like a family reunion. I鈥檓 so thankful to all the community members, HLGU faculty and staff, and HLGU alumni who donated items and attended the auction. It was a wonderful event that raised much-needed funding for the University.鈥�

The auction featured items like a signed Travis Kelce football, an antique pipe organ, several riding lawnmowers including a new John Deere X380 from SN Partners, an 1880s J.N. Scott Shotgun, and so many more items that were sold to community members and friends. A tea party with former HLGU first lady Katherine Burt sold for $1,700, highlighting the evening.

鈥淭he Scarlet and Blue Auction was a significant generator of resources for HLGU and importantly, it served as a venue for God to work through people鈥檚 lives as an encouragement to each other and for the mission of HLGU,鈥� said Vice President of Institutional Advancement Dr. Ray Carty. 鈥淭he auction was an enjoyable and encouraging event. RC Harlow, a professional auctioneer, did a wonderful job presenting the live auction in an energetic and professional manner. The auction helped to set the stage for a vibrant path going forward. We are thankful.鈥�

The $25,000 matching grant from the George H. Riedel Foundation was given to support the mission of HLGU. Since the Riedel Foundation started in 2000, it has given nearly $150,000 in financial support to 番茄社区. Those awards have helped establish computer and band camps for Hannibal children, provided equipment for the science building, and scholarships for the university. It has also contributed money toward the fine arts theater and its productions, medical training for the nursing program and mentoring for at-risk kids.

“The Riedel Foundation trustees awarded this matching grant with full confidence that the community would support HLGU and the Scarlet and Blue Auction with their generosity,” said Riedel Administrator Sarah Deien. “We believe聽in the mission of HLGU and recognize not only the economic聽impact the University has in聽Hannibal, but also the many ways it enriches lives. The Riedel Foundation has had a long-standing relationship with the University and we hope to continue to collaborate on projects that benefit our community.”

HLGU staff set a goal for the 2022 Day of Giving to raise 250 total gifts over the 24-hour period between noon on Thursday, April 21, and noon on Friday, April 22. This goal was easily met with a total of 392 donors giving to the institution in 24 hours. Individual gifts to the Day of Giving added up to $173,845, and the HLGU Board of Visitors has also contributed a challenge gift of $54,510 to date, bringing the total dollars raised to $227,815 over the 24-hour timeframe.

鈥淭he Day of Giving response is an example of God鈥檚 gracious provision,鈥� said HLGU transitional president Rodney A. Harrison. 鈥淔rom the beginning of the fiscal crisis, we have been saying, 鈥楪od is at work at HLGU.鈥� This is another example of His work and the cooperative spirit we enjoy with local churches, alumni, and friends.鈥�

Social media was an integral part to this year鈥檚 Day of Giving as many supporters of HLGU took to their social media accounts expressing support for the institution and encouraging friends and family to give. The HLGU Board of Visitors also got involved in a huge way.

鈥淎s longtime friends and supporters of HLGU, the Board of Visitors was especially pleased this year to take the lead in this annual special event,鈥� said Distinguished Professor of Old Testament Emeritus Dr. Robert Bergen. 鈥淎ll of us on the board love HLGU and believe that with God鈥檚 help, the University will move through these difficult days to a new period of restoration and growth. We鈥檙e glad to be a part of what God is doing here!鈥�

Part of the Day of Giving activities included the first Disc Golf Glow Tournament on the HLGU Disc Golf Course, spearheaded by Assistant Baseball Coach Charles Rapp. All competitor entry fees went directly toward the University as Day of Giving gifts. The HLGU Disc Golf Course is a direct result of HLGU鈥檚 first annual Day of Giving, when the course was fully funded.

鈥淥ur Glow Tournament had 20 teams of students, alumni, employees, and community members,鈥� Rapp said. 鈥淐onditions were great and the glow round was a huge success. We are extremely thankful for the support and for how the tournament played out.鈥�

The funds raised from the 2022 HLGU Day of Giving will play a large part in helping the University during its current financial challenge of paying off and avoiding any additional debt.

鈥淚 am thankful for the way that God worked in people鈥檚 lives in supporting our Day of Giving,鈥� said Vice President for Institutional Advancement Dr. Ray Carty. 鈥淭he number of individual donors significantly surpassed our goal. The amount of financial support that was expressed was amazing and encouraging. This Day of Giving laid a foundation for the Strength for the Future campaign that will provide for and sustain the student experience and God鈥檚 mission at HLGU. We are thankful.鈥�

The 2023 Day of Giving is currently set for April 20-21^st, 2023.

Just eight weeks since fiscal exigency measures were enacted, gifts from local churches and individuals total over $1,000,000, including a record $227,815 from HLGU鈥檚 2022 Day of Giving.

鈥淩obust giving, combined with reduced payroll achieved, the suspension of retirement benefits, significant administrative cuts, and a renewed commitment to God-honoring stewardship, means we will be open this fall and the mission of 番茄社区 University will endure! To God be the glory!鈥� said HLGU transitional president Dr. Rodney A. Harrison.

On March 3, 2022, the financial forecast for the University showed the institution was 27 days away from exhausting its $1M line of credit while having outstanding bills of nearly $900,000. Closing the University was a consideration during this time.

To open in the fall, HLGU needed $3.2 million. So far, HLGU has:

• Received donations and pledges totaling $1.15M
• Negotiated the sale of the Pulliam Street Apartments: $275,000 will be applied toward principal and interest
• Renegotiated with vendors, resulting in a $416,000 in gifts or write-offs toward accounts payable
• Received a pre-payment of the Missouri Baptist Convention Cooperative funds for $180,000

All of these factored together add up to a total cost-saving of $2.01M for the University. HLGU still plans to raise another $1,000,000 in the next 90 days.

鈥淚n the last two months, God has used people to bless 番茄社区 University,鈥� said Vice President for Institutional Advancement Dr. Ray Carty. 鈥淧eople are responding to the work God has yet to do at HLGU. We鈥檙e still looking for support through August, but we are encouraged that people see God’s work being done at 番茄社区.鈥�

This scholarship will award $2,000 each to three recipients. Recipients must be full-time students, meet admission requirements, demonstrate Christian character in and out of the classroom, and participate in the HLGU Agribusiness Program.

The Beards operate Beard Implement Company and are dealers in Case IH, New Holland, Kubota, and other short lines for the agriculture industry.

Beard Implement Company was founded by the Beard family 85 years ago and now operates in several locations, including Arenzville IL, Ashland IL, Pittsfield IL, and Hannibal MO.

鈥淲e are so pleased that Gerry and Mary Ann are partnering with 番茄社区 to help provide opportunity for area students to gain strength and knowledge in the agribusiness field,鈥� said Dr. Ray Carty, vice president for institutional advancement at HLGU.

HLGU鈥檚 agribusiness program is for students who wish to become involved in agricultural allied industries or directly in production agriculture upon graduation. The HLGU Agribusiness program is embodied in conservative, Christian, freedom-loving values and is taught by faculty with in-depth, real-world agribusiness and business experience.

鈥淭hank you to the Beards for their commitment to our growing agribusiness program. We truly value their partnership,鈥� said Tim Finlay, instructor of business and agribusiness program leader. 鈥淭his gift will help additional area students participate in our agribusiness program that is being designed to build future ag business leaders.鈥�

Graduates from the agribusiness program will have a Bachelor of Science in Business with an 18-hour emphasis in agribusiness鈥攚hich provides them a solid base to launch into a career in agriculture. Some of the agribusiness courses include agricultural management, sales, marketing, economics, policy, and government policy. The program also features opportunities for internships, is transfer friendly, and provides students with hands-on learning experiences.

For more information about the scholarship, or HLGU鈥檚 agribusiness program, contact Tim Finlay at 573.629.3028, or tim.finlay@hlg.edu.

番茄社区 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.