Hannibal–LaGrange University
Former names | LaGrange Male and Female Seminary (1858–1928) Hannibal College (????–1928) Hannibal–LaGrange College (1928–2010) |
---|---|
Motto | Scientia ad serviendum ("Knowledge for Service") |
Type | Private university |
Established | 1858 |
Religious affiliation | Baptist |
Students | 671 (2020) [1] |
Location | , , United States 39°43′50″N 91°23′31″W / 39.73048°N 91.39196°W |
Colors | Scarlet & Navy Blue |
Nickname | Trojans |
Sporting affiliations | NAIA – American Midwest |
Mascot | Trojan |
Website | hlg.edu |
Hannibal–LaGrange University (HLGU), formerly Hannibal–LaGrange College, is a private Christian university in Hannibal, Missouri. It is affiliated with the Missouri Baptist Convention, which is part of the Southern Baptist Convention. Enrollment was 671 students as of 2020. [2]. /> It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and offers more than 30 majors.
History
Hannibal–LaGrange University was created as the result of the 1928 merger of LaGrange College (founded in 1858 as the LaGrange Male and Female Seminary) in LaGrange, Missouri, and Hannibal College in Hannibal.[3] On May 4, 2012, the trustees at Hannibal–LaGrange University elected Anthony W. Allen as the 17th president of the university. Living former presidents include Woodrow Burt (16th president), Paul Brown (15th president), and Larry Lewis (14th president), a graduate of Luther Rice Seminary, who left HLGU to be the president of the Southern Baptist Convention's Home Mission Board (now the North American Mission Board), one of the largest mission agencies in the world.
In 2010, the Missouri Baptist Convention voted to change the institution's name to Hannibal–LaGrange University.[4]
The university was granted an exception to Title IX in 2015 which allows it to legally discriminate against LGBT students.[5]
Following several years of declining enrollment, Hannibal–LaGrange University experienced severe financial challenges in 2021 and 2022. These challenges were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic with enrollment declining to 780 students in 2021, down from over 1,000 students a decade prior.[6] The institution raised $1.5 million in the span of a few months in early 2022 but needed $2.2 million so numerous faculty and staff have been fired, salaries reduced, and programs closed. All faculty contracts were terminated as a result of the institution's declaration of financial exigency.[7]
Academics
Hannibal–LaGrange University offers undergraduate programs and two fully online graduate programs, a Master of Science (M.S.) in Education and a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Leadership. HLGU's ADVANCE Degree Completion program is designed for working adults with an associate degree who want to complete their bachelor's degree in as little as 18 months. Several degree programs and locations are available.
In 2018, Hannibal–LaGrange University was ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the 62-80 best Midwest college in the regional colleges category.[8]
Athletics
The Hannibal–LaGrange athletic teams are called the Trojans. The university is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the American Midwest Conference (AMC) since the 1986–87 academic year. They are also a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA), primarily competing as an independent in the North-Central Region of the Division I level.
Hannibal–LaGrange competes in 12 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, soccer, track & field and wrestling; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, soccer, softball, track & field and volleyball; and co-ed sports include shotgun sports. Former sports include men's and women's golf.
Notable alumni
- Jefferson R. Boulware, Illinois state representative and lawyer[9]
- Clarence Cannon, Democratic Congress member
- Homer Martien Cook, president of Northwest Missouri State University
- Cotton Fitzsimmons, NBA and college basketball coach
- Asa Hodges, U.S. Representative
- Lindell Shumake, member of the Missouri House of Representatives
- Ashleigh Spencer, Australian basketball player who currently plays for the Bendigo Spirit in the Women's National Basketball League
References
- ^ "Hannibal-LaGrange University Profile".
- ^ https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/hannibal-lagrange-9089#:~:text=Overview,a%20semester%2Dbased%20academic%20calendar
- ^ Hannibal LaGrange Charter (On file) http://www.lagrangemo.com/cityoflagrangemo/LAHIST.HTM
- ^ Introducing Hannibal–LaGrange University
- ^ Anderson, Nice (December 18, 2015). "Religious colleges get exemptions to anti-bias law; critics denounce 'hidden discrimination' against LGBT students". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
- ^ Whitford, Emma (March 29, 2022). "Fundraising Its Way Out of Financial Trouble". Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
- ^ Knox, Liam (May 26, 2022). "A Financial Collapse Averted—but at What Cost?". Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
- ^ "Hannibal–LaGrange University". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
- ^ 'Illinois Blue Book 1903-1904,' Biographical Sketch of Jefferson R. Boulware, pg. 365
External links
- Hannibal–LaGrange University
- 1858 establishments in Missouri
- Buildings and structures in Hannibal, Missouri
- Education in Marion County, Missouri
- Educational institutions established in 1858
- Quincy–Hannibal area
- Universities and colleges affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention
- Private universities and colleges in Missouri
- Council for Christian Colleges and Universities