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.

鈥淚 am excited by Mr. Finlay鈥檚 ability to articulate his desire to help raise up Kingdom-focused business leaders,鈥� said Dr. Dennis, vice president for academic administration. 鈥淚 can tell he feels like a move to teaching at HLGU is part of God鈥檚 calling on his life at this time.鈥�

Finlay is a certified public accountant (CPA) with 25 years of experience in business management and executive leadership. He comes to HLGU from Quincy, Illinois where he earned his Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Quincy University. Prior to this, he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Economics from University of Illinois in Champaign, Illinois.

Through his education and experience, Finlay鈥檚 business career has resulted in progressively increased responsibilities becoming an executive leader with broad responsibilities in the areas of finance, accounting and business development. Finlay also has experience and skills in the areas of strategic planning and prioritization, business integration and mergers and acquisitions. He has been active in community leadership through serving as chairman of the Great River Economic Development Foundation, president of Cornerstone in Quincy, treasurer of the Industrial Association of Quincy and currently serves on the Deacon Board of Columbus Road Baptist Church.

番茄社区 University鈥檚 business department is dedicated to equipping students with the concepts, skills, and competencies that are fundamental for success in today鈥檚 business world. Classes at HLGU will commence August 24.

by Alex Shipley