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

Beautiful weather reflected the bright spirits of 200 graduates as they walked across the stage in ceremonial regalia to shake the hand of 番茄社区 University President, Dr. Anthony Allen, and receive their diplomas on Saturday, May 6.

The commencement address was given by Dr. Dwight Blankenship, HLGU Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees and pastor of Parkway Baptist Church, who spoke to the graduates on their vision for the future.

鈥淚n these moments before you receive [your diploma], what can I instill? What is the tool that I can give you?鈥� Dr. Blankenship asked the graduates. 鈥淓very one of us ends up somewhere in life, but few of us end up somewhere on purpose.鈥�

He continued, 鈥淒ear graduates, that鈥檚 what I鈥檓 sharing with you. Make your vision great. Make it big. Make it something that dares you to be more than you are鈥are to dream, be individuals of integrity, make obstacles into stepping stones, and learn the great lesson of forgiveness.鈥�

Following the presentation of graduates, Brooke Kicklighter and Justin Dickson, selected Who鈥檚 Who Among Seniors at HLGU, led the graduates in the graduate pledge and in giving a standing ovation to thank all friends and family for their support.

Also at commencement, the Parkway Distinguished Professor Award was presented to Mrs. Michelle Todd. The award is given by Parkway Baptist Church in St. Louis, and selection is based on outstanding professional and personal contributions to Christian education.

Mrs. Todd has devoted 18 years of full-time service to HLGU where she serves as the business and computer information systems division chair as well as the computer information systems department chair. She holds the rank of associate professor. Mrs. Todd earned her associate and bachelor鈥檚 degrees from HLGU, and is currently pursuing a doctorate degree.

Mrs. Todd is married to Pastor Charles Todd, and is the mother to Mikayla and Marissa.

In addition, HLGU also honors one staff member each year. The staff member of the year has been awarded since 2010. The selection process includes nominations by fellow staff members with a vote of affirmation by the administration. This year, the award went to Mrs. Jenny Johnson. Mrs. Johnson holds the title of serving as the longest, continuously-working, full-time employee of 番茄社区 with 35 years of service celebrated this year.

A graduate of HLGU, Mrs. Johnson is married to Brent, also an HLGU graduate, and is the mother of two, Emily Charlton and Levi Johnson. Another title Jenny thoroughly enjoys holding is that of grandmother to Ruger and newborn Jackson Charlton.

Prior to the ceremony, the graduates processed through the HLGU arch on the University鈥檚 traditional Walk of Honor, symbolizing the end of their schooling and their entrance into the world as college graduates.

by Rebecca Sneed