About Rod D. Martin
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by Rebecca Sneed
Hannibal Courier-Post
May 11, 2015
Beautiful weather reflected the bright spirits of approximately 250 graduates as they walked across the stage in ceremonial regalia to shake the hand of Hannibal LaGrange University’s President, Dr. Anthony Allen, and receive their diplomas on Saturday, May 9.
“The greatest joy that I have as president is to see our students discover, develop, and demonstrate God’s purpose for their lives,” said Allen in his welcoming remarks. “For the graduating class of 2015, this day marks the achievement of goals set long ago, and met through diligent study and hard work and personal sacrifice.”
The commencement address was brought by Dr. Rod Martin an HLGU trustee and distinguished visiting professor. Martin, founder and CEO of The Martin Organization, is a technology entrepreneur, futurist, fund manager, and author from Destin, Fla.
Martin’s address centered on the great technology and future that is knocking on the door.
“There is a golden age upon us, but the challenge for you lies in this, not merely will you rise to the opportunities before you, but will it be the kind of golden age that you want to live in, that you want your grandchildren to live in? Because it could just as easily be a golden age like that of Nineveh, or Babylon, or Rome where everything glitters, but everything is barbaric. That is entirely in your hands. So take what you got here for the last four years and do something great with it,” said Martin. “I want to charge you to go out and make us proud. This can be the greatest time in human history so far. Make it that.”
Following the presentation of graduates, Laya Yammout and Nathan Hammock, nominated Who’s Who Among Seniors at HLGU, led the graduates in the graduate pledge and in giving a standing ovation to thank all friends and family for their support.
Also at commencement, the Parkway Distinguished Professor Award was presented to Dr. Donald Colborn. The award is given by Parkway Baptist Church in St. Louis and selection is based on outstanding professional and personal contributions to Christian education.
Colborn has devoted 12 years of full-time service to Hannibal-LaGrange University where he currently serves as professor of biology. Colborn earned his associates degree from HLGU in 1983. He earned his bachelors and masters degrees in animal science from the University of Missouri in ’85 and ’87 respectively.
He then went on to earn a Ph. D. in animal science with specializations in physiology and endocrinology from Louisiana State University in 1990. In 1994 he completed a post-doctoral fellowship at West Virginia University. Colborn has authored or co-authored and published nine technical articles.
Additionally, he serves as the faculty athletic representative and has participated in and led various mission trips over his time here.
In addition, HLGU also honors one staff member each year. The staff member of the year has been awarded since 2010 and includes nominations by fellow staff members with a vote of affirmation by the administration.
This year, the award went to Christy Perkins. Perkins has been a member of the HLGU staff since 1995 and will be retiring in the fall. Currently she fills the role of campus operator, along with many other responsibilities, including sending out daily announcements to the campus. Her announcements always include general campus happenings but also include more personal moments, such as the birth of an employee’s child, a birthday, or loss of a loved one, so that employees may share in both celebrations and sufferings.
Most importantly, she always includes an encouraging passage of scripture. Perkins is also very involved in her church.
Special music during the ceremony was presented by Jessica Spurgeon ’08, Nathan Hammock ’14, and Patrick Hedges ’05. Accompanied by Janis Newbold, the trio performed the song “You Raise Me Up.”
Prior to the ceremony, the graduates processed through the HLGU arch on the traditional Walk of Honor, symbolizing the end of their schooling and their entrance into the world as college graduates.
— Hannibal LaGrange University Celebrates Commencement originally appeared at Hannibal Courier-Post.
Rod is one of our nation’s leading minds. He’s smart, original, and very committed—a combination that one rarely finds.
Rod Martin and [former Howard Dean campaign manager] Joe Trippi are America’s two foremost experts on online politics.
Rod Martin is a Reaganite-Thatcherite conservative…[and] a man who has spent much of his life ministering to and working for the benefit of others. I know Rod as an advocate for freedom, a leader who understands the real changes we need in Washington, and who has the drive and ability to make those changes happen.
Rod Martin is the kind of dynamic leader who has the knowledge, ability and experience to lead us successfully into the 21st Century. His vision for America is compelling.
Rod Martin literally wrote the book on excellence. Humble yet brilliant, a man of love and compassion, with penetrating clarity he illuminates the world around us, and we are both stirred and enlightened.
Rod Martin is a born leader and an outstanding political mind. Anyone who takes him on is going to have a serious fight on their hands.
Rod Martin is a man of uncommon vision and character. Ever since I first worked alongside Rod in the early days of PayPal, I’ve been struck by his powerful vision for the future. Rod understands the intersection of technology, politics and culture in a way that few others do.
Rod Martin wears with uncommon grace an uncanny ability to link his vigorous faith to the practical challenges of both the business world and the political arena. Yet the respect he shows for others carries a warmth and modesty that are both too rare among those who are strong advocates of feisty positions.
America badly needs more leaders who really get the future. We need more Rod Martins.
Rod Martin is a modern day philosopher-statesman. He is a capitalist intellectual, a conservative iconoclast, a gentle adversary and a kind prophet. He inspires us towards a fresh national vision built upon the original founding principles.
Rod Martin is not only effective and efficient, but he is also perceptive, wise and gracious. He gets things done. He is a great friend and a great ally.
Rod is one of the sharpest, most gracious men I know, and one of the most gifted political thinkers today. His ability to analyze issues and communicate thoughtful insights on them have earned him the respect of people across the political spectrum.
I am proud to have been Rod Martin’s friend for a quarter century, and I can tell you that he is one of the finest men and most outstanding leaders in our church and in our country today. He has a knack for turning everything he touches to success.
Rod Martin is a cornucopian entrepreneur and eutropic thinker whose influence radiates through an array of companies, institutions, movements and churches. A renaissance American, he is also a prolific friend of freedom and faith around the globe.
If Rod Martin represents the next generation of leaders, America has nothing to worry about.
A leader and a servant, in public life and in private, Rod Martin strides at the top of his profession, and has nowhere to go but up. He is in the truest sense of the word ‘outstanding’.
Rod Martin is undoubtedly one of the most accomplished thought leaders today. He is a wonderful mentor, a humble role model, and a deep inspiration for the next generation of scientific innovators and entrepreneurs.
Rod’s achievements pale beside his character and his brilliance. He sees what others can’t. He leads when others won’t.
Rod Martin is one of America’s finest young minds.
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