HLG names Alumni Award winners

Hannibal – Hannibal-LaGrange College (HLG) recognized the annual alumni award winners during Homecoming at the alumni banquet Nov. 2.

Deborah Britt Roebuck was awarded the Distinguished Alumnus Award, Gerald R. Davidson received the Outstanding Service Award, and Sebastian Gonzalez was given the Outstanding Young Alumnus Award.

Roebuck, of Woodstock, Ga., received the award that is presented to an HLG graduate for significant and broad accomplishments in business or professional life, or for state or nation. She received her associate of arts degree from HLG in 1972, a bachelor of science degree in business education from Northeast Missouri State University, now Truman State in Kirksville, and her Ph.D. in business education from Georgia State University.

Roebuck is now the executive director of the RTM Institute for Leadership, Ethics, and Character at Kennesaw State University in Marietta, Ga.

Davidson was presented the award which goes to an HLG alumnus who has given outstanding service to the college or their community through involvement in civic endeavors, religious leadership, or philanthropic efforts. Newly elected president of the Missouri Baptist Convention (for the second time), having served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Arnold, from 1976-2006, an evangelist, and a missionary, Davidson has served several terms on the HLG Board of Trustees, and is a 1958 graduate of Hannibal-LaGrange College. Davidson was unable to attend the banquet, but will be presented with his award at the December graduation ceremony where he will address the graduating class.

Gonzalez, a resident of Hannibal, received the award that is given to an HLG graduate who is 35 years of age or younger for outstanding accomplishments in their profession, business, community, state or nation.

Graduating from HLG in 2004 with a bachelor’s in computer information systems and a bachelor’s in business administration, and currently working toward a master’s degree in information systems from Sentinel University, Gonzalez is currently on the staff of HLG. He has updated and rebuilt the HLG website; created and helped fund the International Student Scholarship Fund; registered and incorporated his own company (www.libertyprogramming.com); and developed an automated quoting system for Able Auto Transport in Kahoka which placed that business third in the nation in the vehicle moving industry. He volunteers his computer skills for Avenues (a non-profit agency in Hannibal), and the Hannibal Free Clinic website. Gonzalez also mentors HLG’s international students, and was a 2001 All American Scholar Athlete, Missouri’s International Student of the Year in 2003, and the recipient of the 2004 Who’s Who Among Seniors.