Summer 2007 - Hannibal-LaGrange University

12
Graduation
A graduate generally wears two faces. One is the face of
a giddy teenager entering into the college world, excited about
all the friends to be made and the fun times to be had. The
other is the face of an adult, preparing to take a step forward
into the “real world” with head held high and armed with an
abundance of knowledge and the tools needed to succeed in
life. Whichever face graduates choose to wear after they walk
across the stage has a lot to do with how well the institution
has prepared them. The faculty of Hannibal-LaGrange
College are confident they are sending capable adults out
into the world prepared and instilled with the college motto
“Knowledge for Service.”
On May 5,
2007, the campus
of Hannibal-
LaGrange College
overflowed with
178 graduates,
family, and friends
as the school celebrated its commencement exercises. The
College conferred an additional 57 degrees in December,
totaling 235 graduates for the 2006-07 academic year.
Dr. Woodrow W. Burt, president of Hannibal-LaGrange
College, welcomed guests and praised the graduates on their
accomplishments. “This is a highly significant occasion on our
campus. In fact to a great extent, this is what we are all about,”
said Burt. “For these graduates this day marks the achievement
of goals set long ago and met through diligent study and
personal sacrifice. For the families and friends of graduates,
this day marks the fulfillment of dreams shared and fostered
through the years.”
Burt congratulated the
graduates on their tremendous
achievement. “Graduates,
William J. Bryan once wrote,
‘Destiny is not a matter of
chance; it is a matter of choice.
It is not a thing to be waited for;
it is a thing to be achieved,’”
continued Burt. “You sit here
today because years ago you
made a significant choice, and
in turn you have achieved an
important goal in your life. On
behalf of the entire HLG family,
we commend and congratulate
you.”
The speaker for this year’s commencement was U.S.
Congressman Kenny Hulshof. Elected to Congress in 1996,
Hulshof is serving his sixth term as the U.S. Representative
serving the 25 counties in northeastern and central Missouri
that make up Missouri’s Ninth Congressional District.
Hulshof extended his best wishes to the class of 2007.
“You have completed this part of your life’s journey. You have
grown, you have matured, and you have received a unique
and complete education,” said Hulshof. Congressman Hulshof
addressed the graduates and audience on the strong influence
of family and the value represented in the HLG college motto.
“One of the reasons why I am such a fan of this institution,
Hannibal-LaGrange College, is because of the values that you
communicate—values that I share. Those values are emulated
in that motto
or that creed
‘Knowledge
for Service.’”
Hulshof
went on to
describe
the ultimate
example
of service