Burt implores HLG faculty, staff to work ‘for the glory of God’
By Brandy Campbell
HLG Public Relations
September 16, 2004
HANNIBAL — The president of Hannibal-LaGrange College has challenged the school’s faculty and staff to fulfill the college’s mission statement of “providing an excellent liberal arts education in a distinctively Christian environment, thus preparing students for both personal and career effectiveness.”
Woodrow Burt encouraged them to do their jobs “for the glory of God” in his president’s address during the school’s annual faculty/staff workshop marking the start of the 2004-2005 school year.
“I’m confident that you are here today because you have felt God’s leadership to be here,” Burt said. “You work for HLG for much the same reason that many of our students choose to attend HLG — the college’s Christian commitment.” He went on to outline several key ideas the faculty and staff are seeking to accomplish: enlightening minds, enriching souls and extending hands.
“Our primary purpose is to educate our students,” Burt said. “Our love for what we do here at HLG and our love for those who walk the halls of this campus should be the motivating factors in enlightening the minds of our students.”
He then discussed the college’s commitment to equipping faculty and staff to do their jobs effectively. He also expounded upon some of the school’s strategic planning goals currently being met, including the renovation of facilities and various equipment needs; upgrading of administrative software; and the continuation of the purchase of new computers.
As part of the purpose as a Christian college, HLG takes great interest in enriching the souls of its students, as well as helping them find their potential, Burt said before telling a story about the artist Michelangelo gazing at a block of marble. When he was asked why he was looking at the block of unused marble, Michelangelo replied. “‘There is an angel in that block of marble and I’m going to liberate him.’
“Think of yourselves as agents of change,” Burt continued. “You are changing lives that will in turn change the world. The students who will graduate from HLG may go on to be outstanding teachers, engineers, nurses, ministers, doctors, writers, and on and on. Change will occur, in large part, because of the part you will play in those students’ lives.”
Burt encouraged the faculty and staff to look for practical ways students can have hands-on experiences, whether through internships, practicums, or other methods. He also emphasized the importance of showing students how to give back — even now.
“Christian education must teach that service is a noble calling,” said Burt. “It is extending a hand to those in need. I challenge you to inspire our students to extend their hands to help others. Lives are depending on it.”