The Riedel Foundation has offered a matching grant to Hannibal-LaGrange University that will help improve internet access to all parts of the campus and for the community to use at events held there.
The $12,500 grant will be matched by the University’s Day of Giving, which is a 24-hour fundraising blitz taking place on April 3 and 4. The total expected cost of the project to improve the Wi-Fi service is just over $50,000.
“Technology is a critical aspect of learning in today’s world, but it becomes outdated in a very short time,” said HLGU President Robert Matz. “These Wi-Fi upgrades are essential to provide our students and community with undisturbed internet access.”
Matz said that currently, Wi-Fi is spotty to nonexistent on certain parts of campus.
“This grant doesn’t just benefit the students and staff at HLGU,” said Riedel Foundation Administrator Sarah Deien. “Many community groups hold meetings and events on the campus, and they need reliable internet too.”
Some of the student-related events hosted by HLGU include the annual S.T.E.A.M. camp for elementary students, a robotics club for middle school students, language classes for area homeschool students and a free weekly computer coding league for seventh and eighth graders held in cooperation with other community organizations. The campus also holds concerts as well as hosts several community clubs and activities.
The Riedel Foundation has awarded approximately $7.5 million dollars in grants to Hannibal non-profit groups since it was established 25 years ago.