HLG holds December graduation
By Staff
HANNIBAL – On a cold, blustery morning in December, family and friends of 122 graduates, up almost 50 students from last year’s December graduation, braved the high winds to attend the Hannibal-LaGrange College December Graduation ceremony. The ceremony, held on Dec. 13 in the Parker Theatre of the Roland Fine Arts Center, was the third December graduation in the history of the college.
Woodrow W. Burt, president of Hannibal-LaGrange College, stood and addressed the crowd. “It would be an understatement to say that this is a highly significant occasion on our campus, because in a very large part this is what we are all about,” said Burt. “Today is a very special day in many respects; it’s special in that it marks the 150th anniversary of Hannibal-LaGrange College.” Burt went on to explain that the graduates, faculty, and platform guests were all wearing medallions around their necks representing the sesquicentennial anniversary. “Another special occasion for this day is that it is the first graduating class of our master’s program, and we are delighted that we are here to celebrate that occasion.” Burt also acknowledged the graduates, special guests, trustees, and introduced the keynote speaker, Jill J. Janes.
Janes received her bachelor of science in elementary education, master’s in education, and Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She has been an educator for 33 years serving as a teacher, director of early childhood, building administrator and assistant superintendent. She has been superintendent of Hannibal School District since 2004.
“You are graduating in very difficult times in our nation’s history,” Janes said. “During difficulties people often look to their circumstances and feel they have no power to change things. Usually they will either complain or simply do nothing. Just as it only takes one candle to illuminate the darkness, those solitary individuals who choose to do something become instruments of change.”